Opinion

Enough already. The eclipse of April 8 has been smothered with coverage by both mass and social media. Americans — some who flail at things that go “bump” in the night — yearned for even more darkness! They carved out time from busy schedules and squeezed funds from their budgets to make their way to a slice of the globe where the solar eclipse darkened the day for some four minutes — give or take a few seconds.

The first round of STAAR testing is over. Grades 7,8,9, and 10 are complete for ELAR.

This week the younger kids test in English and reading. Get rest, eat a good breakfast and test well.
Planting some seeds in the garden this week and a few more tomatoes. How does your garden grow?

Regional track is this weekend! Congratulations to Ella Sullivan, Julianna Miller, Alyssia Perez, and Baylee Gray! And, to Nico Romo and Britton Bellah! All headed to regional! Way to go!
District golf and district tennis is coming up!

What separates us from the light? Early this week, it was an eclipse. A strange phenomenon where the moon passes between the Earth and the sun in the middle of the day. None of this is news to us in North Texas. What appears noteworthy is the sheer attraction the event garnered. I have a relative in Northern Arkansas who lives in an unpopulated county. He reported an estimated two million people who passed through his community to watch the eclipse. People visited from places like Asia and Europe to catch a glimpse of the passing moon.

The name “Blackwood” has been as closely linked to Southern Gospel Music as ham and eggs to diners, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz to TV, and Tarzan and Jane to jungle movies. The family has endeared itself to a grateful nation for their renditions of gospel music for some 125 years.

Well, it thundered in February, which is supposed to predict a freeze in April, but I planted my tomato plants anyway. Fingers crossed.

I bought my plants at the FFA plant sale that was a sell out last Thursday! Uh oh, I’m feeling punny.
STAAR test is this Thursday for ALL seventh through 10th graders. Get some rest on Wednesday! Eat a good breakfast. Be on time to school and ACE that English STAAR!

The tennis kids did well in their meet last week!

We recently celebrated the holiest week of the year on the Christian calendar. In my house, we do not pursue Easter bunnies and egg hunts like other groups do. Our celebration remains very personal and, generally, very reflective. We enjoy a household Bible story, collective prayer and worship at our local church, and we almost always partake in communion with our immediate family.

Texas A&M University — a major educational institution respected throughout the world — emerged unscathed from a litany of “Aggie jokes” that were shared for decades, though not so much now.

They were, of course — exactly that — jokes. Actually, they likely enhanced a storied heritage, but they made some Aggies M-A-D.

My Uncle Mort’s keen eye on Texas A&M literature fell on its Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications. He figures “ALEC” would better fit on business cards, and that graduates could be called “Smart-ALECs.”

•••

Spring is in full swing and staying true to Texas trends. Just when you think its going to be hot, it gets cold again. The emotional oscillation keeps the outdoorsman on edge, wondering what each day will hold in store. While the suspense is engaging, the fickle weather does not stop one thing, baseball. The ballpark was opened this past weekend in our hometown. The little guys and girls represented their teams with the proper pageantry and poise common among Little Leaguers.

Goodbye March.

Many thanks to the Woodson Volunteer Fire Department! Thank you for coordinating with the Easter Bunny and making the annual WVFD Easter Egg Hunt so much fun! Many satisfied customers of all ages! Seriously, thank you WVFD for all you do for the community.

Prom was still wonderful! Prom cleanup ended Tuesday (also wonderful). If you are missing anything we might have borrowed, let me know!

The eclipse is coming April 8! Get your eclipse glasses and watch this historical event!

One economist is calling it “the most profitable 22 minutes in Texas history,” according to the Texas Standard. The total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8 is expected to draw up to a million visitors to the Lone Star State, especially in its narrow path of totality.