Gunner

I've lost count of how many times, even though I AM paying attention driving home at 5:15 pm--that I've had to slam on my brakes and swerve over to the shoulder of the road to avoid a rear-end collision with the person in front of me, only to have the person behind me have to do the very same thing to avoid an accident. There have been many times the number of cars that exit here are backed-up at the red light all the way up on the Loop, waiting for a green light to turn onto Big Spring. The lights at all Loop intersections are ridiculously long already as it is, and that's part of the reason for the long backup.

If you listen to all the reports-the News media has us all certain that supply chains are in jeopardy and are super slow, and that no matter what we're looking for-it's going to be out of stock for the foreseeable future because there's little to no cargo movement happening across the United States. Whether it's building materials for all the Contractors and do-it-yourselfers or just a unique Christmas gift for Grandma--don't count on it being in stores locally. In some cases--there's actually some truth to those stories. Take, for example, Bath and Bodyworks in the Mall. Items were flying off store shelves with that amazing Black Friday deal they had--something crazy like buy three, get three free, or something... I haven't been back in a few days, so maybe the shelves are fully stocked once again. But for a while there it was looking like you'd have to wait till NEXT Christmas if you wanted something.

All weekend long starting Black Friday thru Sunday evening--it's TWO-FERS from your favorite Classic Rock artists on a "Second Helping Weekend". We'll also toss in some of your favorite Christmas tunes too every once in a while to get ya in the mood for the season.

The Townsquare Media Midland-Odessa offices and studios at 11300 State Highway 191, Building #2 Midland--will be closed for the holiday Wednesday, Nov 24th thru Sunday, Nov 28th with no prize pickup available. We will open again Monday morning November 29th at 8:30 am.

Meet Aurora! Have you been dreaming of a sweet playful puppy who will also snuggle with you? Little Aurora checks all the boxes! She was brought to the Sanctuary with her Mama and her five brothers and sisters back in September. The entire litter is well socialized and gets along great with people and other dogs. Aurora especially likes to play with the other dogs in play group and enjoys chew toys as well. This 18 week old Chihuahua mix puppy has been spayed and is up to date on all of her shots. She would be a perfect family dog but has no special requirements other than someone to give her lots of love. If she sounds like the pup you have been looking for, please come see her at Lone Star Sanctuary For Animals during visiting hours of 1-4:30pm! She can't wait to meet you!

Each one of us has our favorites. And in turn, we all have that one, maybe two items on the annual list of offerings around this time of year that we don't like, and do whatever we can to avoid eating. Mine has always, since I was old enough to remember-been sweet potatoes. Don't like them at all. Can't stand the taste, the pasty texture, really anything about them. And when I was a child growing up in the '70s and '80s, there was a different mindset with parents and food on the table, then there is nowadays. So you HAD to eat them. If it was on your plate, you ate it. Period. No ifs, and or buts. Kids these days won't ever know that pain, as parents allow them to eat whatever they want, or skip what's on the table all together for alternate choices in the refrigerator or cupboards. WE weren't so lucky.

There comes a point in life, whether it's because the family can't make it, kids have gone out of state for college and can't make it home, or have moved away and won't be home for the holiday--that you no longer have to cook the big spread for Thanksgiving. Or maybe they're ALL coming and you just don't feel like spending all your time over the stove. Lucky for you (and for my wife and I)-there are a few places open this week that understand. And not only will they be serving Thanksgiving dinner with the main course and all the fixins on the side--they're also going to be serving their own usual menu too. So this way-if turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and sweet potatoes aren't your thing-you have something to really be excited about because you can get what you love.

So--morning shows, at some point during the show--will mention silly National holidays or significant days on the calendar, just as a nod to the sometimes silly things that get listed as actual days we recognize. Today is no exception--as it is "World Toilet Day". So named to commemorate the toilet and everything it does for us each and every day (in other words--people sat around trying to come up with a special day for November 19th, and while sitting in the restroom came up with this). There's one staggering statistic that gets thrown out with this day--and that is that 3.6 Billion people don't have a toilet. Let that sink in for a moment. No place to sit comfortably when duty calls--or is that 'doody' calls? No, seriously-THAT is a sad statistic to think about. So be grateful as you go thru your day and weekend this weekend that you don't have that problem...

The speed limit on Loop 338 in Odessa is 65. On State Highway 191 it's 75, whether you're in Odessa or Midland. Yet Loop 250 in Midland is the slowest at 60. We all know that no one goes the speed limit on Loop 250 (well, I shouldn't say "no one"--there are those occasional cars and trucks in the left passing lane going 60 or under and driving the rest of us crazy)... For the most part, we all do close to 70 unless we see the Po-Po on the side of the road with the radar out. I know the last time any speed limit changes were considered by the Midland City Council was back in 2019 for some roadways away from Loop 250. Perhaps it's time to bring this up and see what happens.

Whether it's a warm drink, something nice and warm in a bowl, or something sugary to make you feel better... When it's cold outside there's nothing better than your favorite comfort foods and drinks. Just a few that come to mind immediately when the thermometer dips below 45 in West Texas include: