Six years ago this month, I had a phone conversation I’ll always cherish. I’d talked to Jim Waller in Ironton, Ohio, several years earlier, but I wanted desperately to chat with him again. He had lost his wife, Helen, since we last spoke and was about to turn 87 in a few days. Mr. Waller … More Paying tribute, and saying thank you, to a great man: The late Jim Waller of Ironton, Ohio

I’ve been singing praises with the wonderfully talented choir at The Welcome Table Christian Church in southwest Arlington for a few weeks now. We rehearse for 45 minutes to an hour on Thursday evenings, when I’m allowed to cut away from my editing for The Dallas Morning News for a while to drive less than … More Thankful for my two new homes — a church and a choir

A few days late, I wanted to share what a special Easter weekend we had. I hope you and your families did too. From Good Friday through Easter Sunday and beyond, it was a weekend filled with fun, fellowship and rewarding outings for our family. On Good Friday evening, I was able to take a … More Beautiful church services, cherished symphony, scenic hike and a ballgame make for a memorable Easter weekend

Brenda Marie Holzer has a beautiful family — a husband she’s been married to almost 31 years and two sons and a daughter, all young adults. As a paraprofessional with the school district in Yorkville, Illinois, she’s worked with disabled children, sharing her huge heart with youngsters who need extra love, care and guidance each … More I’ve never met Brenda Marie Holzer — but now I wish I had

Not sure it was my first rehearsal last Thursday evening that made it official. It must have been three days later, during the first service in which I stood at the front of the sanctuary at The Welcome Table Christian Church not five minutes from our house, cradling a black vinyl folder holding sheet music … More Making music to honor God — and the woman who brought me into this life

Almost six weeks ago, I was heartbroken to learn that a dear friend whom I’ve known since our college days at Texas A&M had died when she developed a DVT (deep vein thrombosis) that resulted in a fatal pulmonary embolism. I attended her memorial service in her hometown of Taylor in central Texas on Feb. … More Celebrating the life and birthday of Denise Richter, a wonderful Aggie friend and longtime fellow journalist, taken from us when she had so much more love to share

I’m still on Facebook. Shouldn’t be after I made a commitment to leave and even wrote an op-ed about it five months ago, but yet I linger — although I’ve had little time to spend keeping up with everyone. I really will be leaving. It’s just a matter of time. How long, I don’t know. … More A moving celebration of a friend’s life, the beauty of nature, and the moments when nature and fate intertwine

It may have been a short trip, but what a memorable time my wife Kay and I had during our 56-hour getaway this week. We did what she loves more than just about anything – spend time at the beach – and something else that will always rank as one of my life’s thrills: Meet … More Meeting my favorite Astros player ever, then spending time with my sweetheart at the beach: Priceless

On a night that features taking in a pro basketball game — something I haven’t done in decades — you’d think the game itself would be the highlight. But you’d be mistaken. I had that opportunity Monday, when I sat in nosebleed seats to join 20,000-plus other fans in cheering the Dallas Mavericks to a … More Three old friends teamed up for the first time in a few years — oh, and there was a basketball game too

I had the pleasure Wednesday morning of a phone chat with the unforgettable Bill “Bullet” Ramsey, my old Fort Worth Star-Telegram friend and sports copy desk colleague who somehow managed to retire at 55 and avoid newspapers’ inescapable plight. Can’t believe he’s been retired for 28 years, since he hung up his pica pole, page … More Chatting with Bill ‘Bullet’ Ramsey and wishing him a happy 83rd. Never worked with anyone else like him. Never will.