Columns

Memories of my free-range childhood

It was the first time in my childhood I had an excuse for coming home late for dinner, but nobody — not even the cops — would listen. In the summer of 1972, when I was 10, Tommy Gillen and I built a dam in the creek on the other side of the Horning Road railroad tunnel.

Last Island was favored resort, until the storm

Isle Dernière, the barrier reef more commonly called Last Island, is best known for the deadly storm that struck there in August 1856. But three years before that infamous storm the Houma Ceres, called it “the greatest place in the world to ride, swim, drink, dance, and talk love to the ladies.”

Take what Harrison Butker said in context

When Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker delivered his commencement address at Benedictine College earlier this month, the outrage was primarily focused on his comments about a woman’s place in society.

Breakfast cost upset Louisiana legislator

Enough was enough when a Baton Rouge hotel charged a state legislator thirty cents for his breakfast in June 1942. He stormed back to the capitol and filed a bill to keep hotels and restaurants from raising prices during football weekends, Mardi Gras, and when the legislature was in session.

Honoring family on Memorial Day

Ida Ayres never served a day in the armed forces, but at 95, she knows plenty about the sacrifices of war. “Through six wars, I have been the daughter, sister, wife, mother and grandmother of family members who served, or are serving, their country,” Ida told me.

Can the population implosion be stopped?

“And when I die / and when I’m gone / there’ll be one child born, in this world / to carry on / to carry on.” The song written by Laura Nyro and most famously performed by Blood, Sweat & Tears may have been overly optimistic.

Biden administration targeting pro-lifers with 1994 law

I wish I did more to advance the pro-life cause. I write about it, I go to marches, I send money to pro-life groups, and I even appear as a speaker at many pro-life events.

To graduates: The world according to me

Students all over America are graduating this month from kindergarten, grade school, high school, college and graduate schools. And there is always a commencement speaker. Most of you will never give a commencement address.

The importance of home ownership

Home sales remain sluggish thanks to high interest rates and a shortage of homes for sale, and that is really bad for America. Because as more Americans become life-long renters, they will never experience the misery of owning a home.

What happened to the Nunez fortune?

The Nunez community on Highway 14 just east of Kaplan is named for descendants of a Spanish soldier who retired in Louisiana and did quite well for himself.