Happy news

There has been a lot of crime in Hot Springs lately, and other cities here in Arkansas. The man writing to see “good news” on the front of the newspaper is probably wishing for something to cheer him up over the morning cup of coffee. And who wouldn’t? Good news is so hard to come by in our lives today, we live in a society that really wants the latest scoop on violence. Tragedy has become the norm and if you want to know who was visiting whom in the local news, that’s probably in the church bulletin. But with attendance at a low or too many different choices these days, it’s really hard to get to know the people on a one-to-one basis anymore. Everyone wants a Facebook Friend or a stream of tweets to communicate these days.

As you age, it’s the obituaries that become your “look to” page, read the editorials and the political sections for the voting years. And, of course, the local news on what’s up with the city directors and where’s our tax dollars going. Sales papers on the grocery best buys, everyone’s spending is carefully watched with the holidays approaching. And if the rest of the consumers are like me, the news is just getting boring. Long, drawn-out wasteful spending by the government, political debates, sneaky sessions, behind-closed-door meetings and forced taxes on those who can lease afford them. Makes one want to side with the people who don’t vote at election times, because what does it matter anyway? Well, I still vote, I still read the news, I still shop and I’m still getting upset over useless waste of my tax dollars.

The best part of my days are spent enjoying the backyard with family, the dogs and cats and the joy of watching the seasons change. It’s good “swinging time” with a cup of coffee or glass of ice tea and good folks to share it with. Sometimes you just have to make your own happy news. L.J. Gibson Hot Springs