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Cornus florida, flowering dogwood, is a deciduous tree native to the U.S. and Mexico. It’s known for its striking white, sometimes pink, “flowers” that aren’t really flowers. They are four white 3-inch bracts with reddish-brown indentations that surround several 0.25 inch inconspicuous fragrant yellow-green flowers. Sometimes growing only a few centimeters per year, dogwoods can be 35 to 40 feet tall and live 80 years.
Read moreRecent research of the Somerville 1842 campaign of driving a facet of the Mexican Army back across the Rio Grande into Mexico that led to the infamous Mier Expedition, I ran across a most “under told” history of a Texan teenager, John Christopher Columbus Hill.
Read moreThe 3rd annual St. Stanislaus Christmas Eve meal was a huge success. Approximately 125 plates were delivered to various families or homebound persons. Thanks to coordinators Charlie and Jenni Abraham and their children Tyler, Hannah, Will and Jessica for all their hard work. A big thank you to those who brought prepared food, those who volunteered to make plates and those who signed up to deliver them. You will be blessed from above.
Read moreChristmas was good this year, but still tough on my little family. The loss of Kacie and Joni’s dad doesn’t stay out of our minds. His birthday was Christmas day and he always called me weeks in advance to let me know what sweet I had to make for him. He didn’t share either. He was a Marine and his smart remarks kept us all on our toes. This year was a little more lighthearted and we laughed a lot, but that chair was still empty.
Read moreFor many years I have listed the names of people that have ties to the Keith community that have passed away. This year they are Landon Reed Chatman, Brady A. Hand, Harold Gene Dudley, Rev. Bill Adkisson, Ima Merle Burns McDuffie, Jack Jernigan, Gail Jernigan, Joyce Dudley Rice, David Moore, Ruby Lavender Stuckey, James Dixon Sr., Raymond Pirtle, Harley Lee Stabler, Jon Karl Proskine, Carolyn Kellogg, Bonie Keller. Donald Gaylor, Betty Jo Vaughn Dane and Travis Stewart and John D. Bretling. Do hope I have not missed anyone. May their memories be forever blessed.
Read moreVitex agnus-castus, vitex, is native to Asia and the Mediterranean region. Now common in Grimes County landscapes, it’s believed that vitex came to North America in the 17th century. It is easily recognizable because of its spikes of showy, purple flowers. Bees, butterflies and other insects enjoy the nectar which produces excellent honey. It is usually from 3 to 10 feet tall and may be as wide with twisty multiple trunks. Leaves are olive green and palmately compound. Flowers and leaves are aromatic. Dark brown fruit is a drupe, berry-like. Beautiful and hardy, vitex is prized as a long-lived cut flower. The Texas Department of Transportation, txdot.gov, has recommended it for plantings in the median of some state highways.
Read moreThe new year is just around the corner and here comes those dreaded New Year resolutions that most rarely keep. I quit saying I’m going to lose weight this year because it never happens. I am turning my resolutions to another direction which gives me more pleasure and is easier to accomplish. During Lent I usually try to call a friend or someone I know that is homebound or rarely can get out anymore because of health reasons. It makes them happy and it makes me happy too. This year I plan to do it every week of the year.
Read moreMy driver’s license had to be renewed. The last time I was at the Brenham DPS was 10 years ago. I took Jordan there for his driving test when he turned 16. Now, you must make an appointment online, sign in online 30 minutes prior to your scheduled time, fill out more paperwork and wait. When called, you must show your birth certificate, social security card, voter’s card, current license but she didn’t want to see my insurance.
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