Category Archives: Scratch Pad

The Faces on Mount Rushmore

Posted on July 3, 2024 by Allen Mesch

On the eve of July 4, 2024, I wanted to share why the following four men were chosen to represent America on a mountainside in South Dakota. Gutzon Borglum, the sculptor behind the project, selected these four presidents because, from … Continue reading →

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David Grann – Truthseeker

Posted on June 17, 2024 by Allen Mesch

On April 2, 2024, my wife and I attended a presentation by David Grann at Southern Methodist University. Mr. Grann discussed two of his books: The Killers of the Flower Moon and The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and … Continue reading →

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Lime Kiln Lighthouse

Posted on June 10, 2024 by Allen Mesch

In the fourth post about our Road Scholar trip, Best of the Pacific Northwest – Exploring Three of Washington’s San Juan Islands, I report about our visit to the Lime Kiln Lighthouse on San Juan Island. Lime Kiln Lighthouse is … Continue reading →

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RoozenGaarde Tulip Gardens

Posted on May 21, 2024 by Allen Mesch

This is the third installment of our adventures on the Road Scholar trip, Best of the Pacific Northwest – Exploring Three of Washington’s San Juan Islands. Today’s post deals with our visit to the RoozenGaarde Tulip Gardens as part of … Continue reading →

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Crow Valley School Museum

Posted on May 14, 2024 by Allen Mesch

In the second post about our Road Scholar trip, Best of the Pacific Northwest – Exploring Three of Washington’s San Juan Islands, I report about our visit to the Crow Valley School Museum on Orcas Island. Crow Valley School Museum … Continue reading →

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What I Like and Don’t Like About Texas

Posted on May 7, 2024 by Allen Mesch

Living in the Lone Star State has its pluses and minuses just like everywhere else. I got thinking about what I like and don’t like about Texas. I’ve lived here for over fifty years so I think I am allowed … Continue reading →

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Lopez Community Land Trust

Posted on May 3, 2024 by Allen Mesch

During our recent Road Scholar trip, Best of the Pacific Northwest – Exploring Three of Washington’s San Juan Islands, my wife and I had the opportunity to enjoy the beauty, history, and ideas of San Juan Island, Orcas Island, and … Continue reading →

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Best Movies About the Civil War

Posted on April 23, 2024 by Allen Mesch

Mr. Thomas West of Yardbarker has picked his “20 Best Movies of the Civil War.” Here’s his list: Here’s mine

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“Get to Work America” – Dallas Morning News editorial

Posted on April 15, 2024 by Allen Mesch

Dallas Cothrum’s editorial in the April 14, 2024, Dallas Morning News begins by stating: There is a crisis in our country that threatens our place as the shining beacon on a hill. America is losing its work ethic and probably … Continue reading →

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Colorful Texas Sayings

Posted on March 13, 2024 by Allen Mesch

Recently, Anne Dingus collected a list of “colorful Texas sayings than you can shake a stick at” that was published by Texas Monthly. Here are my top ten favorites from the roll: Acceptable: “You can’t beat that with a stick.” … Continue reading →

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