I slapped the side of my dad’s truck hard, hoping he’d get the message, and hit the brakes before I risked a combat roll off the tailgate.

For the seasons when it feels like you’re alone or that God is not even in your corner, I have some good news. There is a God who deeply loves you and is committed to keeping your heart safe in troubling times. 1 John 3 says that God loves you so much that He calls you His child and that is who you are as you’ve embraced Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

This week, I participated in my first debate tournament of this season. It also happened to be my first debate tournament in Lincoln-Douglas debate, which went exceedingly well.

I would like to share a passage from the book “Tired of Winning” by Jonathan Karl, a political journalist and author. These words were written by a person who had served Trump in a critical role in the West Wing. “He (Trump) lacks any shred of human decency, humility or caring.

The Spencer City Council recently approved a resolution directing city staff to use $300,000 of leftover money from last year’s budget to try and get some of the city’s 250-plus rental housing units still shuttered by the June 22 flood back open again.

The problem is that the city’s plan, while strong on good intentions, is weak in effect.

Prospects for a new farm bill may or may not improve after the election. Farm bills have been enacted during lame duck sessions before. Both parties say they want to pass a new farm bill but they each have different versions of what that bill should contain and there is no consensus. They have settled for extending the current version but there are programs that eventually require that they be refreshed to be fully funded that need reauthorization or modification.

I won’t offer a comment on the election. Readers probably know my viewpoint anyway … if you don’t we should talk sometime (see below). But regardless of party, regardless of who you are casting ballot for, regardless of what else you have going on, vote.

People, you’ve had plenty of time to cast you ballot via the absentee method. If you haven’t by now, make time to the polls Tuesday.

Soil is the foundation of a healthy garden, but let’s be honest, most gardeners don’t like spending time, energy and money on it. It’s more fun to show off pretty flowers or share tasty vegetables. But creating a healthy soil foundation will increase your growing success which means more beautiful flowers, larger harvests and a healthier landscape to enjoy.

We had a great time at our 4-H Kick Off event last week! Thanks to everyone who was able to come out and join us for food, games and exciting new 4-H year plans. Our phenomenal leaders have great things planned for the year and we are excited to get started. If you couldn’t make it to the event, but you’re interested in getting in on the fun in Clay County 4-H this year, here is what you need to know.

Ephesians 5:6-21 “Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. … Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. … And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.”

“We’ll always have Paris,” Rick tells Ilsa in the classic film “Casablanca” in which Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman set for the ages Paris as a backdrop for romance. Some even consider the film as ginning up public support for the Allied invasion of North Africa in World War II.

“Venom: The Last Dance,” in my eyes anyway, doesn’t take itself as seriously as the first two. And there’s a lot of reason not to take any of it seriously; but this takes it to the extreme as evidenced by the chance meeting with Ms. Chen (Peggy Lu) in the vastness of Las Vegas and subsequent dance number in the face of mortal danger.

While in the election season much focus gets put on domestic problems, and while we have many, they are not of the scale that are likely going to be the trigger to set off a world encompassing calamity. Geopolitically we are the global foundation that the rest of the world relies upon to keep things from blowing up or collapsing. U.S. weaknesses are exaggerated for political gain.

In case you didn’t get it from the headline, this column — although short and somewhat sweet depending on who you ask — is suggesting strongly that you vote.

Regardless of your party … vote.

Regardless of who you support … vote.

These comments are mine based on consumption of literature by our own elected senators and representatives and conservative periodicals containing investigations and interviews and guest reports and editorials. One of these sources is the Association of Mature American Citizens. AMAC is a politically active conservative senior retirement association with benefits like AARP, but without the liberal agenda. You should check them out.