"Don’t forget the sunscreen as you enjoy your summer vacation" by: John Sample

Hope you had a relaxing Memorial Day weekend, kicking off the start of summer.    I spent time fixing roof damage from a storm and mowing.    Remarkable how rain makes grass grow.    Last week was no bargain either with the S&P 500 losing over 2% closing just above 5800.

"Reel Reviews: ‘MI: Final Reckoning’ ambiguous ending fuels franchise annoyance" by: Jessica Shepard

The Mission Impossible movie franchise has been around my entire life and, as such, I’ve seen every film since the first debuted in 1996.  However, like with most long-run action film franchises, there’s a need to increase the difficulty and pizazz of stunts and fight scenes.

‘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.