‘Sandbox Skills’

   In simpler times, kids waited with bated breath for the phrase, “Time to go outside!”   Equipped with their imagination, kids could break free from the imposed chains of chores or schoolwork to be free to create life on their terms.

"Nothing like a steaming cup of joe to go with my keyboard" by: Mike Reddell

   It’s 3:15 a.m. Monday, not my favorite time of the week, but it’s my task, so the Sentinel will be ready for the early Tuesday morning deadline at our Houston printer.  My first goal, as it is for many of you, is making coffee to get that jolt of caffeine for the day ahead.

"Coordinating quality time with family, friends is harder" by: Jessica Shepard

   No one ever told me how hard it would be to coordinate time with my friends once I reached adulthood.  I mean, sure, quality time with family members does get harder as we age, but, that seems to clear up easily around major holidays.

"Summer is just around the corner and life looks good" by: John Sample

   Just another interesting week with the S&P 500 climbing above 5950.   It would seem we are all the way back. It is never that easy.   Walmart announced better than expected earnings, but warned that future price increases were coming due to tariffs.

PSA: Observe Save for Education Day with a 529 plan

   Whether your children are in grade school or high school, one year soon they'll be leaving for college or trade school.  Now is the time to prepare.  A good way is by contributing to a 529 education savings plan.

"Reel Reviews: ‘Final Destination: Bloodlines’ brings buckets of blood to big screen" by: Jessica Shepard

   In the pop culture realm of horror films, most of the actors committing the murders and crimes are real people – or at least physical ones to fight.  In the “Final Destination” franchise, adults are staving off horribly grisly and painful demises awaiting them after cheating “Death” itself.

‘Mindful Gardening’

   Gardening is a waiting game.  Six weeks ago, decisions were made on what flowers and foliage would be planted again on the north side of our Matagorda home.  Our previous plantings faredwell, except for a half-dozen plants succumbing to the elements.

"A stunning day at the park, despite rain, loss, ticket miscue" by: Mike Reddell

   My oldest son Michael and I took in an afternoon of A&M baseball Saturday at Blue Bell Park.  We came to see the Aggies continue their mostly winning ways over the 0-24 (SEC) Missouri Tigers.  We were seeing the game because Ashlee had won two tickets to an Aggie game.

"Local graduations serve as reminder of personal growth" by: Jessica Shepard

   As the local classes of 2025 start graduating high school, I’m reminded of my own almost 20 years ago.  Recently, I’ve had conversations with former classmates on how our lives have progressed, and have heard that I haven’t changed much since then.

"Perhaps the tariffs were not as negative as advertised" by: John Sample

   What a difference a week makes yet again.  On the news of advancing trade talks with China and a deferral of tariffs for 90 days you had the S&P 500 climb back over the 200 day moving average.  This came on the heels of an outline to an agreement with the UK.