Opinion

The deadline to register to vote in the Texas Democratic and Republican primary elections is Feb. 5. Voters on March 5 will choose their nominees for president, U.S. Senator, all 38 U.S. House members from Texas, and a number of other state and local offices, from the Texas Supreme Court to district attorneys, sheriffs and county commissioners.

Afew days ago, during one of those rare occasions when our whole family was together and my three semi-grown daughters weren’t nursing an iPhone while wearing universe-canceling headphones, my wife posed probably the most oft-asked question this time of year: “Does anyone have any New Year’s resolutions?” Although that conversation quickly took an off-ramp into a discussion of something earthshattering like Taylor Swift’s armpits, it got me thinking about my own potential resolutions, or, in my case, “anti-resolutions.” First, I am not resolving to worry about my weight or the general decomposition of my anatomy this year. Now, don’t get me wrong, I will continue to participate in some daily geriatric exercise-ish activities, and I will still attempt to avoid most foods that will kill me if ingested in satisfying quantities, but I’ve reconciled myself to the fact that I adore chips and salsa far too much to go on anything resembling a diet.

In observing young children, I am amazed at what they learn at a very early age. One thing they are taught is that food is for the mouth not all over the face or in the hair. Other lessons include not to throw temper tantrums, to say thank you and please. A great event in their lives is the day they learn to take their first step. They also do not go off or run off on their own and when the children go someplace with their parents they have to hold onto their parents hand. I remember the time while walking to my pickup after shopping in a store a small child jerked his hand from his mother’s and darted out in front of an oncoming car.

Starting a new year is akin to crossing a river, leaving the past behind and coming out clean to start fresh on the other side. At least we like to think of it that way. We may even go so far as to look at ourselves in a mirror and make promises to ourselves about how this year will be different. Some of us take the time to make resolutions that we know we aren’t going to keep. “This is the year I am going to the gym every week.” “This is the year I am going to lose weight.” “This is the year I am going to eat healthy. Well, at least healthier than I have been.” “This is the year I’m going to quit smoking, drinking, or using foul language.”

We’ve got Israel looking for billions. We’ve got Ukraine begging for more billions.

After the Texas Legislature spent much of 2023 in session, a bevy of new laws go into effect on New Year’s Day, though some have been delayed by lawsuits challenging their constitutionality. The Austin American-Statesman reported on SB 17, a new law that institutes a ban on programs and policies “designed or implemented in reference to race, color, or ethnicity” at Texas public universities or colleges — commonly known as diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI.

Dear Neil: My wife and I are having discussions about whether I should remove a native cedar tree from our landscape. She tests positive for allergies to cedar pollen, and this time of year her miseries begin for a couple of months. She wants me to remove the tree, but we both think it’s very pretty if it weren’t for the pollen. Even its blue berries are attractive, and I notice the birds love them. My contention is that there are dozens of other cedars nearby and that even if I take our one tree out, she will still be hit with the pollen from other trees around us. Do you have any advice?