What Class in High School Has Been Most Useful?

 

While browsing on Facebook the other day, there was a question posed, “What class in high school has been most useful?”  It may have been worded a little differently, but you get the idea. I thought about it for a bit, considering the basics, English, Algebra, History, Civics and even Anatomy and Physiology; but even the English classes I took left a sour taste.  I think that had to do with my not getting along with the teacher.

Mrs. Spain wanted us to write a descriptive paragraph about a record she had playing on her phonograph.  As I recall, it was a recording of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto #2; but that’s not what I wrote about.  Instead, I went into great detail about how sunlight reflected off the tiny grooves as the 33rpm disc swirled around a chrome spindle, the magical way a small needle rested in those grooves producing music for everyone to enjoy.  Mrs. Spain wasn’t impressed, not at all as she marked my paper with a large Red F.  She went on to tell me I would never amount to much, certainly a waste of her time.

Admittedly, I wasn’t a good student during high school.  I wanted to be done with it and move on with life, not sure of what, but there had to be something better than going to school.  While remembering how much I really didn’t appreciate opportunities offered, one class I’d taken in Junior High rose to the surface, Typing Class. 

(Image of typewriter courtesy of pngtree dot com)

In the Eight Grade, I took a basic Typing Class.  Hand positioning over the keys was important along with learning how to feed paper with carbon so you’d have a copy, things like that.  But, over the years I’ve almost taken it for granted that I could type without looking down at the keys.

In our day and age, with so much of our time spent on computers or similar devices, that Typing Class has turned out to be the one that’s served me the best. I know, lots of folks prefer using a cellphone to text instead of using a laptop or regular computer with a keyboard; but my fingers can’t seem to feel comfortable over those tiny spots on the face of the phone.  I constantly hit the Period key while intending to hit the letter M, then I have to hit the erase key several times to correct the issue, find the letter M key, and then breathe out to get rid of frustration until I find the thought originally intended to be texted.

No thanks, I still prefer an old-fashioned keyboard, even if it’s attached to a fancy electronic device that’s no longer called a typewriter.  I wonder what ever happened to the typewriter I had while attending Sam Houston State, a light blue portable, can’t remember which company manufactured that trusty little machine.  Oh, well…

But That’s Not What I Heard

 

We purchased one of those hard-shell therapeutic hand massagers with heating positions that looks like it sprang from a cartoon artist’s imagination. Supposedly this kind of device will help alleviate or stave off the Dupuytren contracture condition, making the tendons in my hand swell and causing my ring finger to lock up to the point where it’s difficult to straighten my fingers.

I’ve been placing it on my hand, letting it go through its paces which last about fifteen minutes for each treatment session.  The device is bulky which prevents doing other simple things other than perhaps listening to music or simply closing my eyes for a short pause from the world.

That’s what happened a while ago, taking a short pause from the world; more specifically, taking a Journey to the Center of the Earth, as in the movie made back in 1959.  The explorers were following the information gained from a plumb bob scratched into it and found when a piece of volcanic rock exploded while being examined. The Great Arne Sachnoson (spelling optional) had allegedly gone to the center of the earth, never to be seen again.  These explorers planned to follow his trail.

Near the end of the movie, as the team found a shaft which might be able to take them to the surface, they accidentally awakened a huge lizard monster which threatened their survival.  Here’s where my journey fell in with their journey, my eyes closed as the hand massager hummed away, massaging away the pain in the palm of my hand.

The funny looking device makes a low humming noise, similar to listening to a musical instrument reaching a particular note while warming up.  I remember hearing such a note when our son was playing the Tuba in High School; well, maybe not exactly the same sound.

The one made by the sound effects engineer as the giant lizard monster awakened, that’s the noise I was hearing. I could see the lizard’s eye opening from its deep slumber, wondering if those members of the exploration team would taste good.  They hadn’t noticed the giant lizard, at least not right away as they considered how to get past a rock that was blocking their escape route up the air shaft.

The therapeutic device methodically changed patterns, the humming briefly stopped, then started again with the next form of massage pressure being exerted by the pneumatic finger and palm massage routine. With my eyes shut, still deep within the center of the earth, I knew that sound, the ominous threat becoming more alarming as the giant lizard’s tongue slurped from its mouth.

I won’t spoil the ending to this wonderful movie by telling you what happened next; but I did finish the therapy session and the funny looking device is on the charging cord preparing for the next trip down the rabbit hole.

Dreaming of a Ruben’s Sandwich

 

Friday morning while enjoying the last remaining moments of sleep, I’d been attending a corporate get together, interesting since I’d never been employed or associated with that kind of structured environment. I didn’t recognize anyone while roaming about the expansive facility which didn’t surprise me since I wasn’t employed there.

While in the process of taking this in, figuring it was time to leave since I really had no reason to stay, that’s when I found myself being offered a sandwich; not any old sandwich; but a Ruben’s Sandwich that had plenty of Corned Beef forming a wedge in between.  I looked again and there was a row of perhaps six or seven Ruben’s lined up and ready for whomever wanted one.

As I reached for the offered Ruben’s, considering the subtle flavors contained in that masterpiece of a sandwich; that’s when the alarm on my cellphone went off at 5:30am.  It was time to get up and join reality, stumble to the kitchen, pop a couple of English Muffins into the toaster followed by a mild slathering of peanut butter and jelly; in other words, breakfast.

The alarm had cheated me out of taking even one bite from the Ruben’s, not even one bite. I mentioned this to Lucy as we drove down to Houston, detailing the interesting tour of a company I didn’t work for and being offered the sandwich, right up until the alarm woke me up.  We both laughed at how our brain entertained us while we slept.

After completing our shift, working as Ordinance Workers at the Houston Temple, we headed back home.  The trip offers options as to what we might have for a meal; Arby’s for sandwiches prior to getting on the freeway or waiting until we drove up to Huntsville where we could go to Canes or Whataburger prior to getting our grocery shopping done.

Arby’s came up as our choice, yup, imagine that!  Arby’s makes a fairly decent Ruben’s Sandwich, not great; but certainly, a good sandwich, and we had a buy-one sandwich/get-one free digital coupon on Lucy’s cellphone.  The image of a Ruben’s Sandwich was on the internet, not much different than the ones served at Arby’s except Arby’s sandwich doesn’t come with a slice of pickle.  In this way I was able to finish my dream, the one where the alarm clock cheated me out of a perfectly prepared Ruben’s Sandwich.

The Future of Leon County

I recently was given the opportunity to address the topic of a Crusoe and Black Mountain Energy Data Center’s proposed permit to be built on property acquired in Leon County. Approximately two hundred fellow citizens of Leon County showed up for the meeting scheduled to include several other agenda items.  The meeting started with an opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance to both the United States of America as well as to the Great State of Texas. 

(Image courtesy of Shutterstock)

Prior to opening the floor to concerned citizens regarding the Data Center’s potential for negatively impacting property owners, livestock and other interests to include Crusoe and Black Mountain Energy’s request to have their target property given a tax abatement provision, the Commissioner’s Court held a continuing discussion regarding the issuance of a permit to a surveying company’s request to do seismological testing on property owned by Leon County, land currently used for grazing of livestock by various Leon County property owners.

There were serious questions asked of the representative of the surveying company having to do with a multitude of holes to be drilled down in the ground 80 feet for equipment used in measuring movement in and around those holes.  The Commissioners were concerned about how the company would fill those holes, the materials used to guarantee those materials wouldn’t compact or compress later, leaving dangerous holes for livestock to trip over and damage legs.  The company would need to satisfactorily address each challenge both short term and in years to come, including their responses as part of the proposed contract and permit application.

I was impressed with the thorough insight of the Commissioners’ Court as they considered the safety and well-being of property owners and their livestock. When it was my opportunity to speak before the Commissioners Court, my name having been called out by County Judge Bryon Ryder, my remarks included an expressed hope that the Commissioners would have the same standard of requirements to be met by the folks planning to build the Data Center in Leon County.

A short list of the concerns that Leon County property owners brought to the meeting would be: vast amounts of water needed by the Data Center for cooling, possibly depleting the county’s supply of water from the already stretched aquifer, taking into consideration water already being drawn away by the Dallas/Ft. Worth pipeline which has already caused some local water wells to become useless, the possibility of contamination of the water supply from the Data Center as it reenters the environment, excessive demand on the electrical grid, the cost to property owners to pay for power lines that will serve the Data Center, noise levels which would disturb the peace and tranquility of property owners as well as the potential disruption of livestock within miles of the Data Center.  Health concerns that have yet to be addressed or recorded in sufficient abundance or made available to the public would have to be added to this list.

Daniel McCoslin recently wrote, and his insightful line was quoted in the Commissioners Court Meeting held on Monday July 13, 2026, “Property rights keep coming up over the Data Center debates. Have you ever heard the old saying, “Your right to swing your fist ends where my nose begins?”  While continuing that thought he further wrote:

“Lately, I’ve been thinking about how that perfectly explains the Harm Principle, especially when it comes to property rights.

​Think of it like this, your property is your castle. If you want to paint your house neon pink, plant a jungle in the front yard, or build a massive deck, you should be completely free to do it. It's your land, your investment, and your right.

​But there’s a flip side. That freedom stops the exact second your actions cross the property line and start hurting your neighbors. Whether it’s dumping toxic chemicals that seep into the local water supply, or building an industrial project that drains the community's shared resources, noise and lighting pollution that destroys others abilities to enjoy their land. You have crossed the line from enjoying your property to harming someone else's.

​True property rights aren't just about the freedom to do what you want on your land, it's about the responsibility to make sure your actions don't ruin the life, health, or livelihood of the people next door. Something these massive companies don't understand, they just see dollar signs and don't care about the people around them.”

As of July 14, 2026, Daniel McCoslin mentioned in his writings, “County Judge Byron Ryder continues to stand like a wall, rightfully declaring that these projects are a bad deal for our home.”  May right prevail regardless of monetary compensations presented as “Community Improvement”.

County Judge Byron Ryder and Commissioners Paul Bing, Joey Sullivan, and TJ Foley need to know they have the support of property owners in Leon County, as long as they provide necessary safe guards for health and prosperity for those living in Leon County. Limitations placed on County Commissioners and Courts through Texas legislation regarding Zoning are not in conflict with local government entities mandating meaningful contractual agreements with companies expecting to do business within the boundaries of their jurisdictions. 

 

 

 

A New Toolbox

 

This past month the latch on my old toolbox decided to give up the ghost.  Since I’m retired and no longer depend on having my toolbox wherever I go, it stays in the general-purpose closet until such time as it’s needed.  But, even then it would be nice to be able to pick up the toolbox by lifting its handle rather than scooping it up with both hands to prevent everything from falling on the floor.

Friday, while in Huntsville doing our grocery shopping, it occurred to me that it would be a good time to visit the Academy store that’s in the same shopping center.  I should mention that I prefer using plastic tackle boxes rather than metal toolboxes; a habit gained from knowing a plastic tackle box with my tools in it didn’t leave marks on a customer’s front seat while working on their vehicle as a locksmith. 

Academy had a nice selection of medium sized tackle boxes.  The one I picked was basically the same as the one it was replacing.  While standing in line at the cash register, I mentioned they just don’t make tackle boxes like they used to, mine only lasted twenty years and the latch broke off. Nobody flinched as the weak attempt at humor evaporated into thin air.  I paid cash, got my receipt and exited Academy with my new toolbox.

There’s an oval brass identification band that had been fastened to Max’s dog collar.  One of the fasteners had disintegrated so the band needed to be reattached.  I couldn’t find the pop rivet gun, the one I’d used as a locksmith.  It’s in the house somewhere, maybe it’s in the storage unit; doesn’t matter if I can’t find it.  I figured I could place a small bolt and nut through the hole instead of a pop rivet.  I picked up the old toolbox, took it to the kitchen and got to work.

With a little effort and creativity, the brass identification band, the one with the veterinarian’s phone number, had been restored to its location on the dog collar. A couple of drops of Superglue would work as well as Loctite to keep the nut from backing off.  Since we were about to head into town, I left the toolbox on the counter, figuring today was a good day to switch out to the new toolbox. 

It occurred to me that switching out an old toolbox with its replacement is similar to obtaining a brand-new wallet.  You get attached to these items, a personal relationship of sorts that’s difficult to abandon. I put off the inevitable transfer of tools until a while ago when we got back from a trip to the post office, Tractor Supply for some dog food and a haircut.

After placing screw drivers, plyers, drill bits, Allen wrench sets, hammer, chisel, pocketknife, extraction wires and other assorted tools into their respective slots, it became obvious there was a lot of junk that didn’t need to be transferred into the new toolbox.  Small specialty lubrication packets for ignition switches I’d never need now that I’m retired, hundreds of automotive style lock wafers for matching up car locks to existing key combinations, springs and things like that would remain in the old toolbox; an old toolbox that would become a permanent part of the closet, something my kids could do with it as they desire after I’ve left mortality.

 

Two Adventures in One Day

Upon getting home from church yesterday, Lucy noticed the Crock Pot that was supposed to be cooking the Spaghetti Sauce we were going to enjoy when some of our kids and grandkids came up to celebrate Father’s Day, the Crock Pot wasn’t working, no heat coming from its base.  It’s an older Crock Pot and we thought, perhaps, it might have given up the ghost. Fortunately, we have a newer, even bigger Crock Pot so we poured the Spaghetti Sauce into the newer version.

We plugged it into the same outlet in the kitchen; but it didn’t work either.  Maybe the problem wasn’t with either Crock Pot, maybe the outlet in the kitchen had blown a trip breaker.  Not a big deal, as I walked back to the electrical circuit breaker box; none of the breakers appeared to have tripped.  Rather than spend a lot of time hunting down a short in the system, one that wasn’t showing up at the breaker box, we plugged the newer Crock Pot into a different outlet on the other side of the kitchen.  Problem temporarily solved until I could go into it on Monday.

Monday morning arrived and I rechecked the breakers, nothing appeared to be tripped. I ran an extension cord from the suspect electrical outlet in the kitchen, hooked up a plug in battery charger and figured it would make noise and flash a light the moment electricity had been restored to the kitchen outlet.  Each breaker in the box was then turned off and on, going through the entire panel except for the double breakers that control the AC, Heat and Electric Stove Top; no change which meant the loss of power to that outlet was localized.

It was then Lucy suggested I try the fancy blender that was on the other end of the kitchen counter.  I plugged it into the same outlet, nothing happened.  Except, that’s when I saw there was another outlet on the wall behind where the blender was stored.  It had one of those modern reset switches built into it.  After pushing the reset button, power was restored to both outlets. We had solved one mystery; one was still on the To Do List.

This past week I noticed there was a slight dripping that came from the AC overflow pan that landed outside our bedroom window.  Being half deaf, it may have been dripping for weeks and I hadn’t noticed.  I’d planned to go out to our storage unit on Saturday and retrieve the wet/dry vacuum which would be needed during the maintenance process. A solid plan that was interrupted by a line of thunderstorms that left over 8 inches of rain on Saturday.

That was a good idea since I’d paid a tidy sum to the AC repairman one time in the past to fix the problem.  I’d paid good money; but more importantly, I’d paid attention to exactly how he solved the problem.  But with so much rain and my not wishing to run back and forth to the storage unit, the AC dripping would have to wait until Monday.

What’s the line from the insurance commercial, “So simple even a caveman could do it”?  He’d unhooked the P-trap plumbing under the sink in our bathroom.  That’s when I learned the overflow from the AC in the attic drained into the bathroom sink.  He hooked up his wet/dry vacuum to the open end of the drain and sucked out a clog that had formed along with draining the AC collection pan of its accumulated water.  I can’t remember how much he charged for this service; but it was enough for me to take notes on how to do it the next time.

My knees don’t bend like they used to, sitting on the floor while taking apart the plumbing under the sink was challenging.  We’d been resourceful in placing items under the sink, making trays that were easily removed and replaced for just such an operation.  Having gone out to the storage unit and brought the wet/dry vacuum into the bathroom made for an easy job.  And it would have been had I not decided to rinse out the hose by attaching it to the sink’s faucet. 

That’s when I learned that the plastic hose had a small hole in the middle of it, spraying water and loosened gunk out onto the bathroom countertop.  That’s the gunk that had been sucked out of the pipe only a few minutes earlier.  That was my inspiration to clean the bathroom countertop along with each item that normally is found on that countertop.  Sure looks nice now, putting the wet/dry vacuum back into the storage unit. 

After a while I’ll take the plastic trash bags that have been sitting in the back of my truck over to the dumpster.  That was another item on the To Do List from Saturday, the day all that rain fell.  Right now, I’m enjoying a breeze from an old fashioned fan while sitting in the office recording my thoughts. 

The Declaration Means What It Says

 

Today officially being Flag Day, I was asked to talk about the Declaration of Independence as we approach our Independence Day, recognizing its Two Hundred and Fiftieth celebration. So many thoughts sprang into my mind, wondering how could I possibly attend to each without having at least an hour.

Back when I was living at home as a teenager, my folks used Independence Day as a way to have a family picnic of sorts, all of this carried out in their backyard by the pool with all manner of food spread out on the table.  We had a sliding glass door that separated the inside from the yard, one dog in the back while the other inside kept them apart as well. 

As a precaution to occasional ‘dust ups’ between the dogs, we kept a full size Little League baseball bat near the back sliding door which the dogs came to understand meant business. Mom was about to take a bowl of potato salad out as she pulled back on the sliding door.  That was when the Independence Day Dust Up started.  Two dogs met underneath her pioneer styled dress without regard for proper etiquette.

While holding the bowl of potato salad in one hand, mom grabbed the bat handle and started bopping dogs that were entangled under her dress.  Eventually the dogs got the message and broke up, but not before she’d gotten a nasty bruise on her shin.  Mom claimed it was from one of the dogs; however, upon closer inspection we could read the name, “Louisville Slugger”.  Mom had accidentally bopped her own leg.

That was one heck of an Independence Day celebration; but that’s not why I decided to include it in today’s talk.  No, my folks wanted their children to understand the importance of what we were celebrating.  It wasn’t about the hamburgers, the potato salade or soda pop we’d be enjoying.  The Declaration of Independence was a thought issued to the world, a thought that needed to be handed down from one generation to the next. 

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…”

Ezra Taft Benson recorded, “I believe with all my heart the words of the American patriot Patrick Henry, who, on the eve of the American Revolution, said, “There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us.” Further, it is part of my faith that no people can maintain freedom unless their political institutions are founded on faith in God and belief in the existence of moral law. God has endowed men with certain inalienable rights, and no government may morally limit or destroy these.”

 “In a footnote in “The Declaration of Independence: A Study in the History of Political Ideas” by Carl Lotus Becker, published 1922, we learn:

“The Rough Draft reads “[inherent &] inalienable.” There is no indication that Congress changed “inalienable” to “unalienable”; but the latter form appears in the text in the rough Journal, in the corrected Journal, and in the parchment copy. John Adams, in making his copy of the Rough Draft, wrote “unalienable.” Adams was one of the committee which supervised the printing of the text adopted by Congress, and it may have been at his suggestion that the change was made in printing. “Unalienable” may have been the more customary form in the eighteenth century.”

“Inherent &” never made it to the final draft and we can only wonder if it was pulled due to some politically correct discussion or whether it simply sounded redundant to those issuing the declaration.  The Founders used words sparingly and with great accuracy for the most part; they likely concluded “inherent &” was unnecessary to complete the thought; life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are unalienable rights from our Creator.

The root word Inherent carries with it the idea that might be read at the reading of a will.  If we are to inherit, from whom do we owe that inheritance?  Perhaps understanding the gift of rights would make more sense if we accept that unalienable rights could only come from our Father in Heaven. 

Now, if we look at inheriting those rights and using them, taking into consideration that we’ve accepted our inheritance while our Father lives, then the parable of the Prodigal Son means even more.  Are we not all hoping to be accepted by our Father, stumbling as it were, on our way home, having spent, unwisely at times, much of what was given?  How’s that for something to think about…

Of all the issues that bother Progressives, Democrats, Socialists, call them whatever you like, the idea that God, not our government, gave us inalienable individual rights keeps them from moving forward toward their idea of Utopia, a place where the State provides everything equally to those in need.  If they could just get past that sticking point, they could do anything they wanted because then government in all its glory would determine what’s best, not the individual. These folks deny God as the head of our government at every turn; is it any wonder that they scoff at individual rights?

“For shall the work say of him that made it, he made me not? Or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, he had no understanding?” (2 Nep 27:27)

To understand the mindset of our Founders, it’s important to find out what they believed.  There are some who claim Thomas Jefferson was an agnostic, that he’s responsible for making sure we have a separation of church and state.  They preach this in our public schools, our colleges and universities as a means of indoctrination on the path to socialization.

“Thomas Jefferson wrote on the front of his well- worn Bible: "I am a Christian, that is to say a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus. I have little doubt that our whole country will soon be rallied to the unity of our Creator and, I hope, to the pure doctrine of Jesus also.”

Does this sound like a man who wanted to establish a wall of separation to keep religion out of government? 

If we do not correct this information, making sure the next generation has a better grasp on our history, how will they know the importance of what was set aside for them, why it’s important to feel this in their own hearts.

Perhaps that’s why they finished with these words, words that mean much as I consider, …each man signed with full knowledge, … the serious nature of such a declaration…

 

“…And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”

I may have figured out why some folks just don’t get it; this country we call the United States of America.  Far too many of us have become a First Verse Only people.  Most everyone is familiar with our National Anthem; but how many know there are more verses that complete the thoughts intended? 

“Oh thus be it ever when free men shall stand, Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation! Blest with victory and peace may the heave’n rescued land Praise the Pow’r that hath made and preserved us a nation! Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto: “In God is our Trust!” And the star spangled banner in triumph shall wave, O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.”

Are we a “first verse only” people now, content with having had our shot, able to sit back and watch as our great experiment in freedom slowly dies? Paul Simon wrote a song about such feelings, An American Tune.

“…And we come on the ship they call the Mayflower. We come on the ship that sailed the moon. We come in the age's most uncertain hours, and sing an American tune. Oh, and it's all right, it's all right, it's all right. You can't be forever blessed…” 

I should acknowledge a story related by Elder Jonathan C. Roberts of the Seventy who attended our Stake Conference many years ago. Elder Roberts had taken his family on vacation to a lake in the Ozarks, boated across the expanse of water to the middle where they deployed a large inflatable deck which they would use as a base. His wife had forgotten to bring along the food, and he jumped on one of the motorized ski contraptions to retrieve it.

Not being familiar with the lake he took notice of key landmarks prior to embarking across the water, making good use of his scouting skills lest he be unable to find his way back. Once he’d recovered the food he headed back, taking note of his position with respect to the aforementioned landmarks. He traveled to where he thought he’d started and had a sinking feeling he might have made a mistake, not being able to see the boat or inflatable deck in spite of having the landmarks lined up as his memory permitted.

He scoured the horizon and saw something far off in the distance and made his way closer, the speck growing larger to resemble the shape of a boat and later, as he got even closer, his family playing on the inflatable deck. Upon arrival he asked why they’d moved from their original spot; except his wife told him, “We haven’t moved.”

Elder Roberts checked the landmarks which no longer matched those he originally had depended upon at which time he realized they hadn’t been on a lake at all; rather, a very slow moving river. They had drifted a considerable distance from their original position.

Here we are in the year 2026 looking for familiar landmarks, landmarks that were left by our Founders to guide us, more importantly, to remind us that we, as a nation, are beholden to our Creator for our very existence. 

The Founders understood the principles which unite God and His children along with the social involvements which prevail, not only among those who acknowledge and adhere to God’s commandments, laws, restrictions and blessings; but with an understanding of those who would stand in defiance of these same commandments, laws, restrictions and blessings. Our Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights are an acknowledgement of the eternal order of things being made of and through Him.

I’ll close with an important thought,

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…”

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.