Opinion

Spring is here and it is the time of year for increased wildlife activity in the woods and in our yards. Baby animals of all kinds are emerging with their mothers, learning their surroundings and following their instincts. Unfortunately, this time coincides with great weather that encourages humans to be outdoors taking part in a variety activities. These activities provide more opportunities for contact between wildlife and humans, and in many cases, humans unintentionally cause harm. I have already received numerous calls involving baby squirrels, and this week, the first call on a newborn deer.

It is the special time of the year when we get to celebrate Mom, the person who gave us life and carried us for 9 months, the person whose comfort we long for when we are injured or afraid. For most people this is a very joyous occasion, but I want to take a minute to think about those members of our community for whom Mother’s Day might be a difficult day.

As many of you know, spring activities are in full swing in Sealy. Most organizations require volunteer participation and give each of us an opportunity to see how teamwork provides for the quality of life in our great community.

Property-tax relief is an issue I am all too familiar with. As we all know, property taxes are set by your local governments (county, city, school, etc.).

As an “Army brat” I moved often during my childhood, and as an adult I never fully outgrew the desire to see new places. I have lived in eight states and visited most of the others.

Let me tell you my story about grass stains. Every laundry product known to mothers promises to make light work of those relentless stains, but after decades of pursuit they still seem to be winning the war. Such a common motherhood experience, it hardly seems as if we can spend an entire column talking about them. (This is where I chuckle and say never underestimate my gift of gab.)

Every odd-numbered year on the second Tuesday in January your Texas Legislature convenes for a period of 140 days at the Texas State Capitol to kick off a regular legislative session. During those 140 days, State Representatives and State Senators alike get to work on writing and passing legislation to address various issues affecting our state. Constitutionally, the Legislature is only required to pass a biennial state budget, which makes our budget the top priority of the legislative session. However, a legislative session is the only time a law can be created in Texas, so the eyes of Texans fall upon us every other year as we seek to make our state a better place.

It’s not a goodbye, just a see you later. I’ve been preparing for this column for nearly four years, and I still don’t think I’m fully ready.