June 22, 2018 - The spittoon has just about disappeared from the scene. In the late 19th century United States, spittoons were a very common feature in pubs, brothels, saloons, hotels, stores, banks, court rooms, and other places where people gathered.

May 28, 2018 - Shortly after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, the “Dogs For Defense” program was established by the federal government. A few dogs were utilized in World War One and were amazingly efficient soldiers, including Sgt. Stubby who was the most decorated war dog in history. The government decided to put out the word to civilian dog owners that the military was looking for a few good dogs.

May 14, 2018 - Clara Murphy will present her students in recital on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 at 7:00 pm at First Baptist Church in San Augustine. Participating students are: Kambree Hall, Vi’Siscile Caroway, Aspen Morton,  A’nesiya Burrell, Jakajsa Clark, Yarihanna Clark, Bonie Consford, Lillian Collins, Kailey Sowell, Charlisa Teagle, Justine M. Chavez, and Bethany Dorsey. Katie Lindow and Brianna Craig, students of Bethany Dorsey will also be presented in this recital. Don’t miss Clair de Lune on the piano and a beginner student playing a song on the organ pedals.

March 12, 2018 - If there was one thing that my grandfather hated, it was armadillos. He never saw one of those pre-historic looking animals with body armor that he could stand. They not only rooted holes in his pristine sandy yard, they kept him awake at night.

January 15, 2018 - Perhaps you have heard the phrase, “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush”. But is that thirteenth century proverb correct? Our cat, Miss Kitty, taught me a lesson about birds several years ago that disputes the phrase.

As with most female cats, Miss Kitty, was  an avid hunter. She regularly scoured our one-acre tract for any game - rats, lizards, mice, baby rabbits, and birds. Mostly she just played with them and let them go, but sometimes she would devour a bird.