Saturday, February 21, 2026

Retro Cartoon Rewind | Silly 70s Sitcom Saturday Morning | Part 2


I find it really interesting how our minds work. Recently, I spent some time exploring cartoons from the early 1970s for this Retro Saturday Morning series, and I was reminded of so many shows I used to watch as a kid. What really strikes me is how quickly our memories and feelings can come back when we see a familiar image or hear a specific sound. Just last week, I looked at a list of Saturday morning cartoons from 1974, and suddenly I remembered watching those shows when I lived in Vernon, Texas. I could picture the TV, my favorite chair, and the room where I enjoyed all those cartoons. It brought back such happy memories!

Friday, February 20, 2026

Unforgettable Adventures Await: Your Guide to Santa Fe's Must-Attend Events This Spring!


Planning a trip to Santa Fe? You're in for a treat, especially if you align your visit with some of the fantastic events happening throughout the year! Here are some highlights to make your journey unforgettable:

**Ski Santa Fe**

From now until early April (weather permitting), enjoy the slopes at Ski Santa Fe, situated just 16 miles from the heart of downtown. With 86 trails suitable for all levels of skiers and snowboarders, you’ll never have to wait in long lift lines, and the ticket prices are quite reasonable. It's a perfect getaway for both seasoned snow enthusiasts and beginners alike!

Unwind in Paradise: Your Spring Break Adventure Awaits on Galveston Island!


Springtime is a wonderful opportunity to trade your usual routine for the refreshing Gulf breezes and stunning beaches of Galveston Island. Known as the “Playground of the Southwest,” this vibrant island offers a perfect blend of scenic shoreline, thrilling attractions, and an exciting lineup of events to keep you entertained.

Imagine enjoying 32 miles of beautiful coastline, where you can find the ideal beach that suits your style. Don’t forget to visit East Beach during Sandcastle Days on March 7 & 14, where you can take part in free professional sandcastle-building lessons. It’s a classic Galveston experience that invites fun and creativity!

Make Your Voice Heard: Nominate Your Favorite Huntington Beach Restaurants in the 2026 Surf City USA® Foodie Awards!


Get ready, food lovers! The beloved Surf City USA® Foodie Awards are making their grand return on March 2, 2026! Our friends at Visit Huntington Beach are thrilled to once again bring this exciting people's choice campaign to life, shining a spotlight on the incredible culinary gems that call Huntington Beach home. Whether your taste buds crave something casual from a beachside shack or a gourmet experience to remember, this is your chance to give a shoutout to the restaurants that truly elevate our city’s vibrant food scene.

Thursday, February 19, 2026

Rediscovering Smith's Landing: The Story of Louisiana's First Train Station and Its Legacy


Today, I want to share the story of the first railroad built in central Louisiana. Known as the Red River Railroad, or sometimes the Ralph Smith Smith Railroad, this was the very first railroad constructed west of the Mississippi River. It was a simple and roughly built line that transported cotton and other goods that were brought in by barges on Bayou Boeuf.

 

The place where this railroad began is called Smith’s Landing, and the remaining building in the town of Lecompte is recognized as the first train station built west of the Mississippi. The tracks ran from Lecompte to the banks of the Red River in Alexandria, but much of this route has been lost to time. During the Civil War, Union soldiers tore up the tracks to create a levee, and because of that, we don’t know exactly where the railroad used to go. Interestingly, when crews were constructing the old Jefferson Highway that runs between Lecompte and Alexandria, they found some remnants of the Red River Railroad, which gave us hints about its possible path.


Finding Strength in Struggles: How to Lean on Your Faith During Life’s Toughest Trials


 Life can be incredibly challenging at times, throwing unexpected obstacles in our path that threaten to derail us. Whether it’s a health crisis, financial hardship, relationship troubles, or the loss of a loved one, these trials can shake our faith and leave us feeling lost and alone. 

However, I want to remind you of a profound truth: you were never meant to navigate this journey called life on your own. God created us for relationship and community, both with Him and with others. When we try to endure our struggles solely in our own strength, relying on our limited understanding and resources, we quickly become overwhelmed and discouraged.

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Remembering the Magic of M.E. Moses: A Journey Back to the Heart of Main Street, Vernon


One of my favorite stores from the past was the M.E. Moses Five and Dime Store on Main Street in Vernon, Texas. For those of you who are too young to remember, a "Five and Dime" store was an old-fashioned discount store where most items cost around five or ten cents. Of course, you would have to travel way back in time to find those kinds of bargains—much further back than my memories from the mid-1970s.

Back then, the only thing you could buy for a dime was a piece of hard candy. A comic book cost thirty cents, and a gallon of gas was sixty cents. To put this into perspective, today a comic book is about four dollars, and depending on where you are in the country, gasoline can range from two to four dollars a gallon.

Connect and Protect: Why Every Believer Needs the Flock | Journey Church | Pastor James W Greer


In this powerful message, we begin a new series focused on the biblical call to connect and protect. In a culture where digital relationships are replacing real ones and isolation is becoming commonplace, God reminds us that His design for protection and growth happens within the community of believers.

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Get Ready for Spring Magic: Exciting Nights at the Greenleaf Marketplace in Whittier!


Spring Nights are Better on Greenleaf!

Hello everyone!

We’re thrilled to announce the full schedule for the Greenleaf Marketplace this spring! Join us every other Wednesday for an enchanting evening filled with local vendors, delicious food, and the wonderful spirit of community—all under the twinkling lights of Greenleaf Avenue.
 

The Joy of Just Being: Embrace Life's Moments and Keep Moving Forward | Random Ramblings


This morning, I had a wonderful chat with the preacher. Honestly, it felt like we were the only two in the room, even though I'm pretty sure everyone else was eavesdropping! You know, those moments that feel personal? I definitely pay attention then! Excuses are like invisible walls; they create distance, and distance leads to all sorts of wreckage—be it physical, emotional, financial, or even self-destructive. The antidote to that? Family connections! Lean into your relationship with God the Father and your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Sure, isolation might feel cozy at first, but it only adds to that distance. Remember what John 14:6 says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” 

Blessings

Blessings: We often forget that everything in life, including life itself, is a blessing from God. As a man of faith I thank God during my daily prayer for all those blessings He has bestowed upon myself and my family. If you ever want to know just how blessed you really are? Just take a few moments to look around you. There are many people who are having a much harder time getting through their daily life than you are. Take time to pray for those people. Even though it may not seem like it to the casual observer, The Lord is taking care of them as well. We live in a world full of distractions. From cell phones to television our daily lives are filled with things that take our minds off our problems as well as God. I urge you to take the time to look around you. There is a beautiful world out there. Instead of watching another cute cat video, watch some children playing, look at a sunset or if you have the means take a walk in the woods. The miracle of God's creation is all around you and is a much more wonderful show than anything on the television or internet. Take every opportunity to disconnect from technology and grow closer to God through enjoyment of his wonders.

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