Hard Times I hope by the time you read this we all have had some rain. Or as the saying goes, “Boy, I never seen it so dry.” Well, actually we have had some timely rains this summer and driving back from Tulsa on Sunday I noticed that the vegetation looked pretty green.

For over fifty years, it has been my privilege to personally know every president of the United States of America Six of them have been Republicans, four of them have been Democrats I am regis tered to vote as an independent and I write this as a private citi?en who is concerned about the direc tion of out country Being an independent does not mean that I don’t have strong convictions about the critical issues facing our nation and world For me, it means that I don’t blindly vote for any party or person Following the example of those who signed our founding Declaration of Independence, I support candidates and positions consistent with the purpose of our Creator, by whom we “are endowed with certain unalien able Rights,” including “Life, liberty and the pursuit of Happiness ” I don’t know of a time in my life when these rights have been in greater jeopardy than they are in this elec tion Not only the rhetoric but more importantly, the track records of those campaigning for our votes could not offer a starker contrast for our future Headlines in the mainstream media declare that the current national Democratic ticket is the most radi c ally progressive in our history In my estimation, however, it represents nothing other than anti God social ism that will fleece American citizens of even more of our hard won free doms and hard-earned dollars And most Democratic candidates in state and local races are supporting the same positions Republican positions at the national, state and local levels while not perfect reflect a greater commit ment to those founding ideals of life and liberty They defend religious freedom including for followers of the I ord lesus Christ, protect the unborn; support our military and law enforcement, stand by the nation of Israel without hedging or wavering, guard our borders and national secu rity, favor a conservative judiciary, and promote fiscal responsibility In short, they more clearly respect and promote the aspiration expressed by President Abraham Lincoln in his Gettysburg Address, “that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom” with “government of the people, by the people, for the people.” These few days before this year’s election are a time for us to prayerfully evaluate what kind of country we will leave to our children and grandchildren.

Old-Time Trick or Treat? The season for Trick or Treating is upon us and whether you are the giver or the getter, it is sometimes a stressful time for all. But for those of us of a certain age, there is a good time to give up the getting part of it Top 10 reasons you know you are too old to Trick or Treat when: 10.

Some million dollar suggestions You don’t have to be a Bill Gates-type millionaire to have a more valuable commodity: Common sense. How ‘bout these observations? 1.

You’ve surely seen them. The people in your life that rarely look at the glass as half empty. To them, having a half-empty glass just means they can to fill it to the brim with whatever they choose. But to a person who is discouraged, depressed, and feeling victimized by endless defeats, a Constantly Contented Connie can be absolutely irritating to be around.

Consider the legacy of Glynn Wolfe. Glynn lived from 1908 until his death in 1997 and, at least for a time, was an American Batist minister and hotel owner.

Pigs and wedding bells The Picnic A Jewish Rabbi and a Catholic Priest met at the town’s annual 4th of July picnic. Old friends, they began their usual banter.

REMEMBER LABOR DAY I should have written this column last week but I’m several days late and a few dollars short in writing about Labor Day.. Labor Day is a three day holiday.

Wisdom from the lips of a wrinkled old worm. “Okay, listen up, ‘cuz I’m gonna tell ya’ perzactly what The World is like.

Help with everyday survival kit One of the first things I learned in Bible School as a youngster in rural Hughes County was that a parable is an earthly story with a Heavenly meaning. And some 85 years later, I know of no time in our Nation’s proud history when all of us could use more Heavenly meanings.