September 21, 2016 Issue

   Autumn Chicken    You know I have to throw in a “Crock Pot” recipe every once in awhile. This is one of my go to recipes when I feel like I’m in a cooking rut. The aroma when you walk in the door will make your mouth water. Serve with some noodles, salad and garlic bread and you will win over family and friends.    1 can (14 ounces) whole artichoke hearts, drained    1 can (14 ounces) whole mushrooms    12 boneless, ski ...

   The JV white team played their first game again Brady last Thursday. The team played really hard and was able to do a lot of good things.    The Punchers were ahead at half 8-6. The second half, the lead diminished as the Bulldogs surged back to take the victory.

   The Mason County Farm Bureau reminds its members and neighbors of the voter registration deadline.    The last day for Texans to register for the Nov. 8 General Election is Tuesday, Oct. 11.    “Every vote counts,” Shannon Worrell, Mason County Farm Bureau president, said. “Our nation is run by the people the voters choose.

   Mason County Texas AgriLife Extension Office along with the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service are offering a Fall Range Supper on Thursday, September 29 from 5 to 8 PM at the Eckert Community Center in Mason. The community center is located at 1024 McKinley Ave. There will be a 5PM catered meal followed by several presentations.

   It was a busy week at the Doss School. The week started with the “Friends of Doss” monthly meeting. Items discussed were board elections, the Annual Barbeque, and the Volunteer program for the Doss School.    The Doss CCSD School Board also held their monthly meeting. A meal was served by the Doss CCSD Administrative staff before the Board meeting.    After the Board meeting began the School Board went over the school budget then went on to review other item ...

   Central Texas Electric Cooperative will be collecting food at each of their four branch locations in Fredericksburg, Kingsland, Llano and Mason through the end of October. A free koozie will be given to individuals who bring five items for the drive.    Fredericksburg    In Fredericksburg, CTEC is working with the Hill Country Community Needs Council in their Food 4 Kids program.

   The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Menard County Soil and Water Conservation District will present a range workshop from 8:15 a.m.-3:20 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Murchison-Whitehead Complex in Menard located on U.S. Highway 190.    Registration is $25 per person or $30 per couple. Participants are asked to preregister by 4:30 p.m.

   The Punchers and Cowgirls competed in the Miles Bulldog Cross Country Invitational this past week at Miles High School. Both of the varsity teams were missing a runner or two and still competed well with the Cowgirls placing 2nd out of 18 teams and the Punchers placing 10th out of 16 teams.

   Carrol Hahn    Our beloved husband and father, Carrol Hahn, 91 years of age entered eternal life on Monday, September 19, 2016. He was surrounded by his wife of 66 years, Vivian Olivia and family, including his daughters, Kathleen Wan, Terry Reed and Cynthia Scoggins, their spouses and 8 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.    Carrol was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Helen Hahn, brother Howard and sister Verna Lee Hoffman.

   Loma Schooley    Loma Schooley, age 72, passed away on Monday, September 19, 2016.    Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 21, 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Mason Funeral Home.    The funeral service will be held on Thursday, September 22, 2:00 p.m., in the Mason Funeral Home Chapel. Interment follows at Wagram Cemetery.    A full obituary will appear in next week's issue.

   Well, the time has finally arrived for the Old Yeller Day celebration which will be held this Saturday, September 24th from 10:00-1:00 on the Mason County Courthouse Lawn.    We will honor the life of the Mason frontier times and its literary heritage author Fred Gipson. Sponsored by the Mason County M.

   On Saturday Sept 24th, many of the Mason County Fall Market vendors will be participating in the Ole Yeller Day festivities. Come out for a preview of what will be available each Saturday at the Fall Market.    This Saturday you will find grass fed beef, lamb, pork and chicken from ML Farms; flavored salts, vinaigrettes, bath salts, body creams and more from Grammies Goodies; framed photos and baked goods from Kathy Lackey; Streeter Longhorn grass fed beef and baked goods ...

    The Mason Lions Club met Tuesday, September 13th, for it’s weekly luncheon meeting. There were 34 members and 1 visitor in attendance.    “Boss” Lion Jess irwin noted that yesterday was George Jones’ Birthday and proceeded to announce a list of Lions Club members whose Birthdays are in September.

   Unsafe spaces    There’s a scar above my left eye that’s been there more than fifty years now. Over time it’s faded but you can still see it, and every once in a while someone asks me how I got it. Which I appreciate, because it seems to show concern and genuine interest in me as a person, plus it gives me a chance to make up some ridiculous story.    Usually I tell them I was bitten by an alligator.

   I want to write about what’s going on in the world, but I know it can’t be in print! It get so frustrating when you see and hear stupid things. I mean really stupid. So, I hold them in or maybe I talk about them in my dreams. So, that subject is locked in a closet to never get printed.    So, I can’t write about them, but I can still think about them.

   Over a Barrel...    Too much is made of “bucket lists,” unless we follow through. Failure to keep tabs renders them no more valuable than scribbles on makeshift “to do” lists likely to be misplaced.    Of more value are carefully-prepared “barrel lists.” Entries should include topics long at the root of ever-deepening, furrowed brows.    Let’s start with unsolicited telephone calls.

   Can We Run Out of Words?    For the last week, I've been battling allergies, just like everyone else in Mason. Then, a long road trip to Iraan, and other tasks have taken up my time.    By Monday morning, still battling my allergies, I began feeling the effects of the lack of good sleep.

   Fall is in the air. It has been busy this past week. As I write this, on Sunday evening, it is raining lightly. I had watered my flower baskets and praying for rain. The grass is getting crispy but since fall is almost here, I pondered whether or not to water again.

   The Puncher Club is hosting complimentary weekly Varsity game film screenings every Tuesday at 6:30 PM during the football season at the Odeon. Screenings are approximately 45 minutes in length and provide a fantastic opportunity to relive spectacular plays or perhaps catch a game that you were not able to attend!

   ROBY – The Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch’s 9th annual field day is set from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 30.    The ranch is 11 miles west of Roby on U.S. Highway 180, or just east of the intersection of Farm-to-Market 611 and U.S. Highway 180.    “Our theme for this year is Can We Insulate this Quail Boom?,” said Dr.

   We had 21 eager golfers show up for last Wednesday’s Scramble. Split up into 5 teams, they began playing promptly at 5:30.    At the end of the evening, one team posted a winning score of 6 strokes under par. That team, led by Brent D., and made up of Carol, Bob, Kyle and Mike, waited anxiously as the other teams began to drift in and announce their scores.    Two teams challenged the winning score by posting a -4, and getting themselves into our usual tie-bre ...

   Stephanie Ertel, candidate for State Representative District 53, will be in Mason on Wednesday, September 28 to meet local voters.    Mrs. Ertel will be at Tres Caminos at 11:30 a.m. Visitors can park on the south side of Dairy Queen to attend the event.    This gathering will allow everyone a chance to meet the candidate, and to network with other Mason County Democrats.    Mrs.

   On September the 29th, we celebrate the VFW birthday. On this date in 1899, the VFW came into being.    We will have a coffee at the Post on the 27th of September to discuss the future of the VFW here in Mason. Everyone is invited at 1:30 p.m.    All questions about the VFW Post 8554 Mason, Texas may be directed to Lawrence Spell, Post Commander, at 325-429-6224.

   Make up.    We all do it.    One way or another.    We make up our face.    We make up our minds.    Make up the bed.    Maybe make up an excuse.    Or make up the difference.    And sometimes we have to make up for lost time.    Some of us make up a story to entertain.    Or to get the kiddos to sleep.    Some of us make up our lives as we go along.    We change ...

   The Mason High School graduating class of 1946 will be holding their 70th anniversary gathering on Saturday, October 1st.    The group will meet in the back room of Nacho's Cafe at 11:00 a.m. The menu will be dutch treat from the menu, and a special reunion dessert.    Friends and family are also invited to join the group during this celebration.    Everyone is requested to call ahead of time so that an approximate headcount can be gathered.

   Monday night's City meeting began with a one hour public hearing. Though there were three topics open for discussion during that hearing, the one that dominated conversation was the employment of Blue Oak Engineering by the City of Mason.    Numerous citizens expressed their concerns and questions about the arrangement, and City Administrator John Palacio, Mayor Brent Hinckley, City Attorney David Young and Daniel Hinckley, owner of Blue Oak, all responded to the question ...

   September 18-24 is National Child Passenger Safety Week    Every parent wants the best for their child’s future, and one of the best ways to make sure your child will have a bright future is to be sure that you are correctly using the right car seat for your child and that the seat is correctly installed in your vehicle every time.

   On September 10th the Mason County Chamber of Commerce held their 3rd Annual Softball Classic at the Ft. Mason Park baseball fields. The tournament was a huge success!    There were a total of eight teams entered into the tournament. After approximately 15 hours of games, the Recruits ended up with the 1st place prize.

   The Castell Area Wildlife Management Association will be meeting on Saturday, October 8, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at the Trinity Methodist Church Fellowship Hall in Castell, TX.    Dale Schmidt, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), will provide the white-tail deer harvest recommendations for the area. Likewise, he will report on the harvest statistics from the previous year.

   St. Martin’s Episcopal Worshipping Community invites all pet owners and animal lovers to its first Blessing of the Animals on Saturday, September 24, at 1:00 P.M. on the north side of the courthouse lawn. Fr. Phil Mason of Wimberley will conduct the brief service, which is being held at the same time as Old Yeller Days.    Animals should be leashed or suitably restrained for the comfort of all.

   The Puncher Club is hosting complimentary weekly Varsity game film screenings every Tuesday at 6:30 PM during the football season at the Odeon. Screenings are approximately 45 minutes in length and provide a fantastic opportunity to relive spectacular plays or perhaps catch a game that you were not able to attend!

   The Punchers and Cowgirls competed in the Miles Bulldog Cross Country Invitational this past week at Miles High School. Both of the varsity teams were missing a runner or two and still competed well with the Cowgirls placing 2nd out of 18 teams and the Punchers placing 10th out of 16 teams.

   It was a busy week at the Doss School. The week started with the “Friends of Doss” monthly meeting. Items discussed were board elections, the Annual Barbeque, and the Volunteer program for the Doss School.    The Doss CCSD School Board also held their monthly meeting. A meal was served by the Doss CCSD Administrative staff before the Board meeting.    After the Board meeting began the School Board went over the school budget then went on to review other item ...

   Inviting Students from Surrounding Communities to be Held On October 8th    (Mason, Texas) – Students from around the Mason Area, including Mason County and the adjoining counties of Llano, Gillespie, McCullough, San Saba, Kimble, Menard counties will be inviting youth to share their Christian faith with fellow students during the first annual national Fields of Faith event for heart of the hill country rural youth.

   The Mason Punchers played a hard fought match against the Iraan Braves on Friday night, and, though they lost the game, it was a true match between two great teams.    Iraan would always be leading in the game, with Mason valiantly making plays to even up the score. Early in the first quarter, the Braves pushed down the field before finally scoring on a short 5-yard run.

   Eldorado Invitational Junior High Cross Country Meet    Back to back 2nd Place finish for the 7th Grade Girls Team    7th Girls    Top 5    11 Place- Tristen Keller 16:50    13 Place- Alex Row 17:04    20 Place- Maddi Carter 18:00    21 Place- Tori Perlicheck 18:07    23 Place- Mariah Avalos 18:22    26 Place- Reagan Norman 18:37     ...

   7th vs. Eldorado    The 7th grade a rough go with a 12-0 loss to Eldorado. There was lots of great effort but we just couldn’t get anything going. The 7th grade record goes to 1-1. Our next game will be at home against Hawley.    8th vs. Jim Ned    The 8th grade had a great game as they beat the Jim Ned Indians 38-0.

   This past week, the JV Purple took on the Iraan Braves in Eldorado.    Iraan took the opening kickoff and drove it down inside the Punchers’ 15 yard line. The Punchers were able hold the Braves out of the end-zone with an interception by Rudy Rochat. It was a defensive stand still through the rest of the first quarter.    The Punchers were able to put up the first points of the game with a 57 yard screen pass from Ethan Powell to Chandler Buntyn.

   The JV white team played their first game again Brady last Thursday. The team played really hard and was able to do a lot of good things.    The Punchers were ahead at half 8-6. The second half, the lead diminished as the Bulldogs surged back to take the victory.

   The Mason County Farm Bureau reminds its members and neighbors of the voter registration deadline.    The last day for Texans to register for the Nov. 8 General Election is Tuesday, Oct. 11.    “Every vote counts,” Shannon Worrell, Mason County Farm Bureau president, said. “Our nation is run by the people the voters choose.

   The Hill Country’s favorite bluesman and one of Austin’s best will return to the Odeon theater Saturday, October 15 at 7:00PM. Johnny Nicholas will be releasing his new CD Fresh Air at the Odeon performance. Nicholas calls the various stylistic shifts on the new album, “the blues as I know it,” and the title nails that sentiment.    To begin, Nicholas shouts at the devil with his blues harp on “Moonlight Train,” a spooky story about losing a partner.

   The Library Book Club will meet on Tuesday, September 27 at 5:00 P.M. in the Stribling Room of the Mason Co. M. Beven Eckert Memorial Library. Everyone is welcome to discuss Isabel Allende’s The Japanese Lover.

   Buddy the Ranch Dog will be at the Mason Co. M. Beven Eckert Memorial Library today (Wednesday, September 21) at 10:00 A.M. for a special Story Time for preschoolers. They will be treated to a special reading of Buddy’s Wild Ride. The book is based on Buddy’s true story which took place on October 26, 2014.

   Buddy the Ranch Dog will be at the Mason Co. M. Beven Eckert Memorial Library today (Wednesday, September 21) at 10:00 A.M. for a special Story Time for preschoolers. They will be treated to a special reading of Buddy’s Wild Ride. The book is based on Buddy’s true story which took place on October 26, 2014.

   Bette Jacob will be teaching a hand applique class on Monday, September 26th from 10:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. in the Stribling Room of the Mason Co. M. Beven Eckert Memorial Library. The library is located at 410 Post Hill Street. Carolyn Thomas will be on hand to help.

   Brent Pepper, local amateur radio operator, is hosting a special event station in conjunction with the Mason Co. M. Beven Eckert Memorial Library to celebrate Old Yeller Day. The event will be on Saturday, September 24. Operators can go to AARL.org and look under “special events.” Brent will give an Old Yeller Commemorative Certificate to any ham radio operator working on the amateur radio bands while he is operating.

   On Monday, October 17th the Mason ISD Education Foundation is holding its 1st Annual Cattle Roundup at Jordan Cattle Auction. The concept of first pen cattle profits going to local charities began at the O-D Ranch with Edna and Conda H. Wylie around the turn of the century. The first auction proceeds were earmarked for the Care of Crippled Children.

   Mark your calendars now to join us for food and fun at the Dinner Tonight Healthy Cooking School, which will be presented by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. This event will be held September 27th with the doors opening at 5:30 p.m. at the Quail Point Lodge in Horseshoe Bay with the program beginning at 6:00 p.m.

   The Llano Country Opry will be staged on Saturday, October 1, at the Lantex Theater in Llano, Texas. Tickets are now on sale at www.heartoftexascountry.com or by calling (325) 247-5354. Admission is $15.00 per person and the show begins at 7:30 PM. The Survivors-Darrell McCall, Tony Booth-will be featured.

   The Magical Mason at Lea Lou Festival - Mason, Texas is excited to announce the first annual Magical Mason at Lea Lou Festival. Located in the Lea Lou Pizza and Dance Hall on the Square, Magical Mason at Lea Lou will be a unique and exciting showcase of Pizza, Texas Food, Beer, Wine, arts and crafts, and live music taking place on October 8, 2016.

   As part of its “Be Well with Diabetes” program, the Hill Country Memorial Wellness Center will host seminars on managing the nutritional and health needs of those with diabetes on Sept. 27 and Oct. 6.    On Tues., Sept. 27 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. certified diabetes educator Kim Thornton will present “Nutrition Management of Diabetes.” Thornton, a registered and licensed dietitian, will teach skills to help control blood sugar through diet modification.  

   You are invited to join your voice in praise to God as we gather at Hilda United Methodist Church for the 66th annual German Hymn Fest this Sunday, September 25th, at 3:00pm. The church is located at 5840 Loeffler Lane, just off of RR 783. This is a short, beautiful drive south of Mason on Hwy 87.    In 1951, Rev.

   Runners from across the state will head to Mason, Texas this Saturday, September 24, 2016, for the 10th Annual Gem of the Hill Country 5K & 10K Run/Walk, sponsored by Permian FracsSand. The race will start at 8:00 a.m. in front of the M. Bevin Eckert Library just south of the town Courthouse and Square.    The 5K & 10K courses meander through the charming and historic neighborhoods of Mason, featuring hills, valleys, and some of the most scenic views in the Texas ...

   Inviting Students from Surrounding Communities to be Held On October 8th    (Mason, Texas) – Students from around the Mason Area, including Mason County and the adjoining counties of Llano, Gillespie, McCullough, San Saba, Kimble, Menard counties will be inviting youth to share their Christian faith with fellow students during the first annual national Fields of Faith event for heart of the hill country rural youth.

   Please save the date and join us for our Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting event! We will be celebrating with free pizza and beverages.    Take a tour of our lovely getaway in the Hill Country of Mason. It’s your opportunity to see our beautiful cabins and grounds including the swimming pool, impressive fire pit, lovely breezeway seating areas, deer processing station, outdoor covered kitchen with stainless grill, fry station, and bar area.    Check out our fan ...

   Mason County Texas AgriLife Extension Office along with the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service are offering a Fall Range Supper on Thursday, September 29 from 5 to 8 PM at the Eckert Community Center in Mason. The community center is located at 1024 McKinley Ave. There will be a 5PM catered meal followed by several presentations.

   Central Texas Electric Cooperative will be collecting food at each of their four branch locations in Fredericksburg, Kingsland, Llano and Mason through the end of October. A free koozie will be given to individuals who bring five items for the drive.    Fredericksburg    In Fredericksburg, CTEC is working with the Hill Country Community Needs Council in their Food 4 Kids program.

   The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Menard County Soil and Water Conservation District will present a range workshop from 8:15 a.m.-3:20 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Murchison-Whitehead Complex in Menard located on U.S. Highway 190.    Registration is $25 per person or $30 per couple. Participants are asked to preregister by 4:30 p.m.

   Well, the time has finally arrived for the Old Yeller Day celebration which will be held this Saturday, September 24th from 10:00-1:00 on the Mason County Courthouse Lawn.    We will honor the life of the Mason frontier times and its literary heritage author Fred Gipson. Sponsored by the Mason County M.

   On Saturday Sept 24th, many of the Mason County Fall Market vendors will be participating in the Ole Yeller Day festivities. Come out for a preview of what will be available each Saturday at the Fall Market.    This Saturday you will find grass fed beef, lamb, pork and chicken from ML Farms; flavored salts, vinaigrettes, bath salts, body creams and more from Grammies Goodies; framed photos and baked goods from Kathy Lackey; Streeter Longhorn grass fed beef and baked goods ...

   The Puncher Club is hosting complimentary weekly Varsity game film screenings every Tuesday at 6:30 PM during the football season at the Odeon. Screenings are approximately 45 minutes in length and provide a fantastic opportunity to relive spectacular plays or perhaps catch a game that you were not able to attend!

   ROBY – The Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch’s 9th annual field day is set from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 30.    The ranch is 11 miles west of Roby on U.S. Highway 180, or just east of the intersection of Farm-to-Market 611 and U.S. Highway 180.    “Our theme for this year is Can We Insulate this Quail Boom?,” said Dr.

   Stephanie Ertel, candidate for State Representative District 53, will be in Mason on Wednesday, September 28 to meet local voters.    Mrs. Ertel will be at Tres Caminos at 11:30 a.m. Visitors can park on the south side of Dairy Queen to attend the event.    This gathering will allow everyone a chance to meet the candidate, and to network with other Mason County Democrats.    Mrs.

   On September the 29th, we celebrate the VFW birthday. On this date in 1899, the VFW came into being.    We will have a coffee at the Post on the 27th of September to discuss the future of the VFW here in Mason. Everyone is invited at 1:30 p.m.    All questions about the VFW Post 8554 Mason, Texas may be directed to Lawrence Spell, Post Commander, at 325-429-6224.

   The Mason High School graduating class of 1946 will be holding their 70th anniversary gathering on Saturday, October 1st.    The group will meet in the back room of Nacho's Cafe at 11:00 a.m. The menu will be dutch treat from the menu, and a special reunion dessert.    Friends and family are also invited to join the group during this celebration.    Everyone is requested to call ahead of time so that an approximate headcount can be gathered.

   September 18-24 is National Child Passenger Safety Week    Every parent wants the best for their child’s future, and one of the best ways to make sure your child will have a bright future is to be sure that you are correctly using the right car seat for your child and that the seat is correctly installed in your vehicle every time.

   On September 10th the Mason County Chamber of Commerce held their 3rd Annual Softball Classic at the Ft. Mason Park baseball fields. The tournament was a huge success!    There were a total of eight teams entered into the tournament. After approximately 15 hours of games, the Recruits ended up with the 1st place prize.

   The Castell Area Wildlife Management Association will be meeting on Saturday, October 8, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at the Trinity Methodist Church Fellowship Hall in Castell, TX.    Dale Schmidt, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), will provide the white-tail deer harvest recommendations for the area. Likewise, he will report on the harvest statistics from the previous year.

   St. Martin’s Episcopal Worshipping Community invites all pet owners and animal lovers to its first Blessing of the Animals on Saturday, September 24, at 1:00 P.M. on the north side of the courthouse lawn. Fr. Phil Mason of Wimberley will conduct the brief service, which is being held at the same time as Old Yeller Days.    Animals should be leashed or suitably restrained for the comfort of all.

   Loma Schooley    Loma Schooley, age 72, passed away on Monday, September 19, 2016.    Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 21, 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Mason Funeral Home.    The funeral service will be held on Thursday, September 22, 2:00 p.m., in the Mason Funeral Home Chapel. Interment follows at Wagram Cemetery.    A full obituary will appear in next week's issue.

   Carrol Hahn    Our beloved husband and father, Carrol Hahn, 91 years of age entered eternal life on Monday, September 19, 2016. He was surrounded by his wife of 66 years, Vivian Olivia and family, including his daughters, Kathleen Wan, Terry Reed and Cynthia Scoggins, their spouses and 8 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.    Carrol was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Helen Hahn, brother Howard and sister Verna Lee Hoffman.

   You are invited to join your voice in praise to God as we gather at Hilda United Methodist Church for the 66th annual German Hymn Fest this Sunday, September 25th, at 3:00pm. The church is located at 5840 Loeffler Lane, just off of RR 783. This is a short, beautiful drive south of Mason on Hwy 87.    In 1951, Rev.

   Can We Run Out of Words?    For the last week, I've been battling allergies, just like everyone else in Mason. Then, a long road trip to Iraan, and other tasks have taken up my time.    By Monday morning, still battling my allergies, I began feeling the effects of the lack of good sleep.

   Make up.    We all do it.    One way or another.    We make up our face.    We make up our minds.    Make up the bed.    Maybe make up an excuse.    Or make up the difference.    And sometimes we have to make up for lost time.    Some of us make up a story to entertain.    Or to get the kiddos to sleep.    Some of us make up our lives as we go along.    We change ...

   Fall is in the air. It has been busy this past week. As I write this, on Sunday evening, it is raining lightly. I had watered my flower baskets and praying for rain. The grass is getting crispy but since fall is almost here, I pondered whether or not to water again.

   Autumn Chicken    You know I have to throw in a “Crock Pot” recipe every once in awhile. This is one of my go to recipes when I feel like I’m in a cooking rut. The aroma when you walk in the door will make your mouth water. Serve with some noodles, salad and garlic bread and you will win over family and friends.    1 can (14 ounces) whole artichoke hearts, drained    1 can (14 ounces) whole mushrooms    12 boneless, ski ...

   Over a Barrel...    Too much is made of “bucket lists,” unless we follow through. Failure to keep tabs renders them no more valuable than scribbles on makeshift “to do” lists likely to be misplaced.    Of more value are carefully-prepared “barrel lists.” Entries should include topics long at the root of ever-deepening, furrowed brows.    Let’s start with unsolicited telephone calls.

   I want to write about what’s going on in the world, but I know it can’t be in print! It get so frustrating when you see and hear stupid things. I mean really stupid. So, I hold them in or maybe I talk about them in my dreams. So, that subject is locked in a closet to never get printed.    So, I can’t write about them, but I can still think about them.

   Unsafe spaces    There’s a scar above my left eye that’s been there more than fifty years now. Over time it’s faded but you can still see it, and every once in a while someone asks me how I got it. Which I appreciate, because it seems to show concern and genuine interest in me as a person, plus it gives me a chance to make up some ridiculous story.    Usually I tell them I was bitten by an alligator.