Commentary

By Donna Smith Ammons

After the long, hot summer, Autumn made her way to Sabine Parish with rain, chilly temperatures and dreary days. However, it was a relief from the muggy summer season, which seemed to last forever.

Welcome Autumn in October. Lots of ragweed on the roadsides and pastures. Achoo!!

Football for the Many Tigers is underway with big wins for Head Coach Jess Curtis and the team. Will this be the year that the Tigers take a trip to the Superdome in New Orleans. Methinks, it is!!

Fall break is over and the students are back in school.

Last week, a little neighbor girl, Ava, pedaled her bike up the driveway and asked, “What are you and Mr. Kenneth doing for fall break?” I assume she was under the impression that everyone got off for fall break!!! We looked at each other and grinned. No kids…… little work….and lots to do around the house.

RAMBLING AROUND

I looked over some old files and remembered the old days when all Democrats were not so far to the left, (known as Conservative Democrats). They would vote Democrat or Republican. I ran across a few comments from former U.S. Senator J. Bennet Johnston, a Democrat from Shreveport. A question was asked to him about the recent Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanagh. He stated that he thought Kavanagh should be confirmed. He said he has shown himself to be a good lawyer and has a good judicial temperament. From a Democrat standpoint, elections have consequences. He is not the guy the Democrats would have put in if they had the opportunity, but GOP won the election, made the nomination, and he needed to be confirm.

By Donna Smith Ammons

On a recent camping trip, I had some time to myself. In other words, I was in a chair sitting outside the motor home just “relaxing” as my grandson would say.

Hubby-dear was inside doing some computer work and I opted to sit outside and read. I had a new book that I was anxious to begin, so, I set up my Ole Miss camping chair and propped my feet up. It was a beautiful day…the sun was shining, the birds were chirping and a calming quietness filled the campground. Every once in a while, a car or truck would slowly pass by. Otherwise, I was enjoying the quiet!

I read a chapter or two and then just leaned back and looked at the sky. Thoughts quickly filled my head…and I soon dozed off. After a short nap, I awoke and read some more. This pattern went on for over an hour… until I spotted a little squirrel scampering around the motor home. I quietly watched him as he picked up acorns and examined his surroundings.

By Pete Abington

AND NOW TRUMP

The Republican establishment is learning a few things from President Trump. Having been a business man and accomplishing much has not been easy and Trump has learned to fight and hold his ground. Apparently this has rubbed off on some of the Republican establishment. For example, during the recent Kavanagh confirmation debacle, historically the Republicans would have cut and run when the charges and accusations got so cruel, such as gang banging and all the wild sexual allegations. Typically they would tuck their tails and go under cover - but not Trump. He held his ground and fought back. The Republicans fought these wild charges that appear to be embarrassing, and didn’t back up. Trump even spoke out at a rally about the charges that were not backed up with evidence.

By Donna Smith Ammons

Recently, someone asked me about hubby-dear’s Jeep. They wanted to know why we call him “Smitty.”

Smitty was my father’s nickname when he was in the Marine Corps. A likely nickname, since his last name was Smith.

My Dad died in 1975 after a six-month battle with lung cancer. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery near the nation’s capital city.

About a year ago, hubby-dear and I made a life change. One day I remarked, “I think it would be fun to get a small camper.”

What was I thinking? The next day, I found myself at Camping World looking at Class C campers. Before I knew it, we were the owners of a camper. Hubby dear was so happy….. my head was still spinning!!

By Pete Abington

GOOD STORY

Appearing in the JT column of the Natchitoches Times last week there was a good story about a group of men all relaxing getting ready for the car show that was about to occur in Natchitoches. Some of those men consisted of Barry Guillet and Gary DeBileux. It was a big deal and people were really excited. There were 360 cars lining the river bank, Front Street and much of Second Street. Over 600 catfish dinners were served Friday night. A lot of money went into these cars and they were beautiful. This particular car belonged to Dr. Steve Brown. I think it was a 1957 Chevrolet in mint condition and fully restored. It was parked initially in front of the office of Barry Guillet, Realtor. Dr. Brown left the car for a short while and someone from Guillet’s office went out and put a sign in the window of the car, which stated “For Sale - $2,875.00 - Must Sell Today”.

By Donna Smith Ammons

Ten hours on the road from Gatlinburg to Wilmington, North Carolina, battling traffic, the remnants of Hurricane Florence and one dog and two curious cats made for a long day last Thursday, as Paul and Lexie finally arrived at their home.

They saw devastation all around as they drove through their hurricane- stricken state….not knowing what they had left of their belongings and how their second car survived.

Thankfully, they were pleasantly surprised. The Mayfaire section of Wilmington survived with little damage. Their condo on the third floor had no damage and Paul’s car just needed cleaning up.

By Pete Abington

SURPRISE SURPLUS

By Donna Smith Ammons

It’s Hurricane Season and this year, it means a litte bit more to me. My youngest son, Paul and his wife, Lexie, are residents of Wilmington, North Carolina and as I write this, they are looking at a Category 4 hurricane headed right for them!! Momma is not happy and to say the least, my daughter-in-law is probably packing her suitcase!!

Lexie is not a fan of thunder storms, let alone hurricanes. She has been watching the weather for a week now and is not a happy camper, since they love only about five minutes from Wrightsville Beach. They are in a third-floor condo, which doesn’t help her feelings.

By Pete Abington

GOOD OLE STORY

Daily we have controversy and anger being stirred up on the t.v. and newspapers. Many times I find great relief to flip to an old Western station. These shows have always been at least a high-water mark to me. Maybe its because the good guy nearly always wins and that is a good feeling to bear in mind.

As I grew up through the years I felt like Many and Sabine Parish was a wonderful playground. On Saturday afternoons I would head to the movies - the Sabine Theater or the Many Theater. (I would get in free because I would deliver circulars for the theater). These movies would inspire my imagination to no end. I would stay for the double feature plus the serial (special between movies) that would consist of Clyde Beatty, Jungle Jim, Edgar Kennedy, the Three Stooges, etc. When I would come home I would be rolling and fired up in my imagination.