Opinion

When I think of Holiday House plants there are three that come to mind: Amaryllis, Poinsettias and Paperwhite Narcissus. All three of these can be grown outdoors under the right conditions.

A half-dozen lawsuits challenging the 13 approved Texas constitutional amendments appear to be dead in the water, The Dallas Morning News reported. The secretary of state’s office last week declared the propositions approved and now a part of the Texas Constitution, while Gov. Greg Abbott canvassed the election and certified the results. One proposition that would have raised the retirement age of judges was rejected by voters.

Many of us enjoy living in Wimberley because we share our space with wildlife. For many, bird watching is an avid hobby and for others a pleasant pastime. I fall into the second group, but I do love my backyard birds and try to provide for their needs. Environmental scientists consider our avian friends to be an indicator species. That means the study of bird life can indicate the overall quality of a habitat.

The Texas Supreme Court heard oral arguments last week in a case that could decide whether medical exceptions to the state’s abortion ban are written clearly enough to protect pregnant women who face serious health risks, the Austin American- Statesman reported.

Now that the holiday decorations are up in and around the Square, it is a great time to stroll the streets at night and enjoy all the sparkly lights.

Dear Editor:

As time runs out next week on the fourth special session, Gov. Greg Abbott said he will continue to fight for school choice, despite the Texas House once again decisively rejecting it when 21 Republicans largely from rural districts joined Democrats in stripping it from a $7.6 billion education bill. The Austin American-Statesman reported it is unclear what Abbott’s next move will be.

Behind the Martha Knies Keep Wimberley Beautiful Park, located next to the Wimberley Radio station, you can walk down a ramp to the Cypress Creek Nature Preserve Trail. This 7.2 acre Preserve is owned by the City of Wimberley. The trail leads up to The Blue Hole Park and eventually to the parking lot near the swimming hole. The land in this Preserve has never been developed or farmed and gives you an opportunity to view a pristine riparian landscape, which is a unique ecosystem.

Capital Highlights by Gary Borders

At this time of year, we reflect on the year’s bounty and events. We all give thanks in our own ways. At KWB, we are thankful for many things. The recent rain has greened up the area and added much needed water back into our waterways and aquifers. We are hopeful that we will be able to get out soon and consider new plantings. One project will be the area by the Wimberley Square sign, giving it some care after the recent rebuild of the wall.

The Texas Legislature, conceived as a part-time body to meet every other year for 140 days, is now in its record fifth session (counting the regular session). When the impeachment trial of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is included, legislators have been in Austin pretty much the entire year, as the Texas Tribune noted. While legislators are paid just $7,200 a year in salary, per diem payments – meant to cover their expenses while in Austin – have mounted. If the fourth special session goes a full 30 days, taxpayers will have spent $4.8 million keeping lawmakers in Austin.

The rains and cooler weather came in time for us to enjoy our fall flowers. The asters survived the drought as did the lantana, white boneset and purple cenizo.

As the clock ran down on the Legislature’s third special session, Texas House and Senate leaders exchanged barbs over Gov. Greg Abbott’s school choice bill and border security proposals, the Austin American- Statesman reported.