Opinions

The timing of Ennis football coach Jack Alvarez stepping down to accept an offer elsewhere opened the door for the trumpeted return of Sam Harrell. Aspirations of additional state championship bling came naturally.

After 16 seasons on the sideline, the alltime winningest coach in Ennis history, had been steadily making progress after multiple sclerosis had prompted him to resign after the 2009 season.

Once upon a time, there was a dog named Bette. She came to us as an adorable bundle of blonde fur—abandoned at the dump by despicable people who will someday burn in hell.

Bette was the visual representation of long-suffering kindness: her growing-up years coincided with the toddler’s growing-up years, and this dog allowed that child to pull her lips into a smile or drive his toy truck up her back side.

But she loved him; she loved all of us. And oh, how we loved her.

When the thermometer dips ever so slightly, I grab the biggest pot I can find in my kitchen, and cook the life out of something.

One week, it was potatoes for potato soup.

Often, it’s a carcass which we’ve picked to the bone, to which I add all the leftovers in the refrigerator, as if I worked at a school cafeteria or something.

Then, it was turnip greens, and I am proud to announce that I cooked the best turnip greens I have ever eaten, bar none.

This is no triumph for Seasoned Cooks who have spent their life before cast iron pots and ham hocks.

Although my commute to work was only seven minutes, I sometimes skipped the trip back home for lunch and landed, instead, in the prayer garden at my church, with a salad and a glass of sweet tea.

It’s funny how people interpreted that, for I invited others to join me.

“Lunch in the prayer garden?” they would repeat after I extended the invitation.

“No, I’m good,” most would say, declining the invitation.

“No, I don’t want to interrupt,” another once admitted, as if I might chant or groan.