Former police officer learns lesson the hard way
“When I was sworn in, the chief of police at the time said, ‘This badge is going to get you a lot of women. But it only takes one woman to get the badge.’ And sure enough … I was amazed...
Estate sale ladies love discovering those treasures
“My husband and I love to go antiquing. It’s a hobby, so we go as often as we can. We call it the illness. It runs in the family. I think it’s a nostalgia thing. You see shows like American Pickers...
David Isaac: His world is a mix of music and politics
In his younger days, David Isaac’s idea of fun was reading almanacs. If he wasn’t learning about the presidents and how political parties work, he was studying different countries and cultures. There also was music. With his sisters, they would record...
Big family means that you can have lots of friends
“We have seven kids, ages 28 to 3. He had three from a previous marriage, and we have four together. The best part about having a big family is that you have plenty of friends. “Once they’re grown, it’s awesome. My...
Father taught his three sons the value of hard work
“When I was 12 years old my daddy said to me and my two brothers, ‘Boys, you may never go to college. You may never even get out of high school. But by the time you walk out of this house,...
Meeting on the internet leads to love, then marriage
“We met on the internet. I was on AOL Instant Messenger, and he popped in one day. He said, ‘What’s up with your last name?’ At that time, my screen name was Jenny Willis. And he said, ‘Willis is my first...
Lifetime pattern finally takes mirror twins’ lives
“I had twin older brothers. They were mirror twins. One was right-handed and the other was left-handed. Throughout their lives, whatever happened to one always seemed to happen to the other. Every time Victor would break a bone or something, Vernis...
His creed: ‘I dont deal. I don’t steal. I don’t squeal.’
“I don’t deal. I don’t steal. I don’t squeal. That’s a little creed I try to live by. You’ve got to believe in something. “I know a lot of people who boost from stores, and I used to do that myself....
‘Tough old bird’ survivor of rare carcinoid cancer
“I was tiny as a kid, and I was athletic growing up. I did not have the problems that obese children have. But when I quit being physically active, I started gaining weight. Then I went into a depression after my...
She deals with the weighty issues of carcinoid cancer
When her mother tried to register Saundra Smith for school in Port Arthur, Texas, she got a surprising response. “They said they didn’t have a nursery school, and that she should bring me back next year for kindergarten,” Saundra said. Old...
