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 Mother’s DayBy Kathryn E. Eriksen In the far reaches of my childhood, Mother’s Day was always anticipated with great enthusiasm. The clumsy, hand-made treasure would be shyly given to my mother, who would exclaim over its beauty and uniqueness. She would always give me a warm and solid hug of love, and look me in the eyes to say thank you. Those memories hang heavily on my heart, because I can’t feel those warm hugs of love from her anymore. Mother’s Day has turned from a day of celebration into a reminder that my mom is physically gone from this earth. But before the sadness overwhelms me, I smile through the tears and know that she is still very much here in spirit. Mother’s Day is a loving tribute to all the other mothers who give us life, love and security. It is the nod of recognition from the children to the source of human love in our homes. And it is a moment in time for all Mothers to appreciate themselves. Full Story
 A Mother's LoveBy Mary A. Flowers My 5th grade teacher came into the classroom holding the hand of a new girl whom she introduced to us. I got to know this new girl better and we became playmates at school. Going to a country school, we didn't get to socialize any other time since everyone lived so far apart. I wish I could remember her name but that was a long time ago. Full Story
 The Gingerbread Trail Tour of Homes
This is one of the highlights of the Summer Season in Waxahachie Texas. The citizens of Waxahachie graciously open their historic homes to visitors during the Gingerbread Trail. The tour began 40 years ago to showcase the unique surviving homes and public buildings designed and constructed during the era of the ornate gingerbread style. more information | Video 0f 2007 Tour Historical Homes Photo Gallery Waxahachie has many elegant historical homes that were built around the turn of the century well into the 30s. Click here
 Beautifully Restored Craftsman Home For Sale
One of a kind opportunity to enjoy gracious living in a magnificently restored historic home in the "Gingerbread Capitol of Texas". Incredible workmanship, lovely hardwood floors, and granite througout this charming home. more information  Want to know where the Best Places are to have Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner? Our roving food reporters randomly dine at restaurants located throughout Ellis County. Check out the Waxahachie Journal Restaurant Reviews and find out where, the best places to have a hamburger, the best places to have breakfast or where to go for a nice dinner. Restaurant Revews
 Live Your Dream as an ArtistBy Kathryn E. Eriksen Have you tried to live your dream as an artist, only to find that you can’t make enough money to pay the electric bill? Do you believe you have talent but the rest of the world just can’t see it? Have you had doors slammed in your face when you try to talk to gallery owners about displaying your work? Full Story Local Author Book Signing On Saturday, May 17, 2008, local author, Kathryn E. Eriksen will have a book signing of her new work, “RePaint Your Life: Create a Life in Art” at Hastings Book Store, located at 791 North Hwy 77, Suite 101, Waxahachie, Texas. The book signing is from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. “RePaint Your Life” is based on the life and philosophy of Connie Jordan, abstract artist. The book offers invaluable insights and techniques for artists of every medium to place, market and sell their art. Both Connie Jordan and Kathryn will be present to meet and greet guests and personally autograph copies of the book. Please stop by and say hello to Connie and Kathryn!
FYI -  How to Avoid Data Theft When Donating a Computer SystemDisposing of Computers, Hard drives, Memory Cards, and other information storing media properly. A new year has begun and perhaps you or your company have decided to forgo a system upgrade and get rid of your computer system and purchase a new one. If you've decided to donate your old computer to a charity, local group or school, it's important to make sure your computer's hard drive is completely free of data. You need to ensure that you don't donate more than you planned. The last thing you want is to pass on wth your old PC or hard drive is sensitive business information, or even personal information such as stored passwords, personal documents and credit card numbers that could be retrieved. When you donate a computer, you really don't know where it may end up or if it will go through the hands of a malicious person with the capability to restore previously recorded and deleted data. more information
 Summer Balloon Classic Coming to Waxahachie!
By Kathryn E. Eriksen The first annual Summer Balloon Classic will be held at MidWay Airport on Highway 287, between Waxahachie and Midlothian, from June 20-22, 2008. Fifty balloons are expected to participate in various events, including 4 different hot air balloon launches, a “Lites in the Nite” Balloon Glow at sunset and a nationally sanctioned competition. There is no charge to attend the festival, but parking is $5.00. Full Story
Homestead Tax Cap for 65 & Older If you are 65 or older ( or will be) and have declared your house a homestead, you did not get the same ad valorem school tax reduction everyone else did because our "brilliant" tax writers in Austin forgot about homestead tax cap for seniors and the disabled and the rest of the politicians didn't bother to read the bill or ask the right questions before they voted. Full Story
 An Iris Fantasy
Iris fans in Waxahachie were treated to a lavish display of gorgeous iris blooms at the home of David and Pat Smith on Saturday, April 20th . Not knowing what to do with an area of his yard, he decided four years ago to start an Iris garden. (Home and Garden) Full Story Related Story  The Fantastic Iris
By Mary A. Flowers Who would have thought that centuries ago when the powerful Medici's of Florence, Italy took the stylized version of an iris as a symbol of their family, it would have started a love affair, a love affair with a flower, that is? Around the world irises have always grown wild along creeks and in sunny meadows, bursting forth with beautiful blooms to signal the spring season. These hardy wild irises usually grow as small compact plants with small arrow-shaped blooms, much like the Louisiana iris that can be seen growing wild in Louisiana and East Texas. Full Story  Do You Really Want Lemon in Your Water? Lemons with your tea or water? A lemon is standard fare at most restaurants, but a researcher recently made a startling discovery. Seventy-seven percent ( 77%) of the lemons tested from various restaurants contained 25 or micro bacterial organisms that could make you ill! more information
Scarborough Faire is Back!
By Kathryn E. Eriksen
 Celebrate the year 1533 and King Henry VIII’s court at the 28th annual Scarborough Faire. As soon as you step through the gates of the festival, you are taken back to the Renaissance where anything can happen.
Just to the right of the front gates is a costume shop. They offer a variety of Renaissance-style attire for men, women and children. Rent the costume during your stay, and really get into the flavor of the festival! Prices range from $25 for children and up to $60 for adults. Full Story
Galaxy Drive-In Theatre is Great Family Fun
By Kathryn E. Eriksen
Did you know that Ellis County boasts one of the only remaining drive-in movie theatres in the entire Metroplex? Did you know that it only costs $6.00 per adult and $4.00 per child to watch two first run movies under the stars? Where is this magical place? In Garrett, Texas, right off IH-45. Full Story
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITYVolunteers needed to supervise children and teens During day-long “Super Saturday” fun activities! Presbyterian Children's Homes & Services Is recruiting Volunteers. More Information
The Waxahachie Skate Park Citizens Advisory Committee requests support from the community."We would like to see people show their support for a skate park project by attending the city council meeting on Monday night," committee chairperson Alex Smith said. more information
 There is a huge rock near a gravel pit on Hwy.25 in rural Iowa . For generations, kids have painted slogans, names, and obscenities on this rock, changing its character many times.
A few months back, the rock received its latest paint job, and since then it has been left completely undisturbed. It's quite an impressive sight. Full Story I thought the flag was draped over the rock, but it's not. It's actually painted on the rock too.
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