The World Series is Killing Me, New Diet is Saving Me

The World Series might be killing me.

I grew up just outside of Dallas. When I think of how I spent my summers, one of the first memories I have is going to Rangers games with my dad. Needless to say, I am a devoted fan. So, after a game like last night's, I am fortunate I don't have heart failure. Stress! Tonight's game 7 could do me in. My heart is pounding just thinking about it.

When I think about my time at the Ballpark with my dad, I remember liking the hot dogs, sure, but I especially loved the Big Kahuna ice cream sandwich! This memory brings me to my newest adjustment in life. I can no longer eat hot dogs, Big Kahunas, or the like. For health reasons, I have to avoid eating gluten. I'm fortunate to have my health, so I am not complaining. I only write about it, because it is all so new to me, I could use some advice. If you know of any delicious, gluten-free recipes, send them my way! I especially need some good ones going into the holidays. This girl loves to eat, she'll just have to be a little more persnickety. ;)

Latte Alternative

When the Texas temperatures drop below 90 degrees and the leaves start to fall (because of the season change, not the fact that they cannot subsist in this drought), our taste buds tingle for... SEASONAL LATTES!!! Well, mine do.

The Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks is always a hit. Its plush but smooth flavor brings to mind Grandma's pumpkin pie served on vintage transfer wear of yellow and blue. Okay, perhaps I'm embellishing the drink a bit much, but it's good, and all of you latte lovers know it. **BUT** There is a cheaper option that's quite comparable.

A thirsty young woman was I the other day, when the sweet nectar that is coffee was the only thing to satisfy my arid tongue. Aaaaand, I just needed caffeine. I'll get on with it... So, I happened upon the coffee station at 7-Eleven and noticed *SOUND BARONIAL TRUMPET* 7-Eleven's version of the pumpkin spice latte! Indubitably, I poured a cup, checked out... waited for it to cool... and waited... and TRIED IT! A couple of sips and relishing moments later, and I was sold.

I'll admit, the Starbucks version is a bit better. But, for those of you who are not coffee snobs, the 7-Eleven latte not only satisfied my desire to jump-start that fall feeling before the temperatures settle, but it was less than half the price of the Starbucks seasonal latte. The price alone is enough for me, and I got the caffeine buzz I was looking for!

The Real People of the Big Country

People are my passion. I love to serve and love, and I find few things in life more enjoyable than finding someone with a great story. The trouble is, we are not always allowed the time to feature life stories on the news, stories that deserve to be told. That, along with my interest in film, is what brings me to a new series for my blog, "The Real People of the Big Country".

I want to tell your stories in a most raw yet resplendent way. The featured person and perhaps someone in his/her life would talk on camera about a life experience, mainstay, or way of living. It could be someone who made a big impact on a community, a behind-the-scenes hero, a laborer, a family man, you name it! This is not limited to any one type of character but a multitude. If you or someone you know has a great story to tell, not a one-time account necessarily, but a good life story, send them my way! I'll do my best to tell as many stories as I have time to.

Email me the information: mdobbs@krbc.tv

It's Our Year!

By "our" I mean the Dallas Mavericks! Being from near Dallas, I have long been a huge fan of all Dallas teams.

A couple of friends and I went to game 4 when the Mavs SWEPT the L.A. Lakers! Our Executive Producer, Mark Moseley, a producer from some other station in town, my sister and I all say the Mavs OBLITERATE Kobe and his cronies. The arena was electric! It's amazing what preposterous behavior a sporting event can evoke... AND I LOVE IT! Look at these guys with their creative "sweep the Lakers" display.

Well, it's on to face the Miami Heat for the championship for a second time. We can do it! Relatively few believe we can, but I have no doubt that we can take them down. It'll likely take 7 games, but this is our time! The Mavs are as able as ever and more experienced. They're tired of losing and are going into this duel with intense focus. I'm going to do my best to get tickets to the finals this weekend. They go fast, and they're expensive, so I'll keep you posted.

LET'S GO MAVS!!!

Wildfire Mania: No Longer on the Threshold

Having lived in Texas my entire life, I am well aware of the potential for fire danger as the warm months (most of them) approach. I didn't ascertain just how weighty the effects fire season carried until working in news in West Central Texas.

We hear grass fires toned out on police and fire scanners throughout much of the day, send a camera crew and expect the blaze to be extinguished without much ado. Now, however, my heart breaks. To come to work each day and hear of more homes destroyed and lives uprooted, I am rattled to the core. The gravity of Mother Nature's damaging orchestration hits me now, yet I have personally been untouched by fire's sting.

To the individuals and families enduring hardships due to this treacherous start to fire season, I mourn with you and hope a beautiful retrieval of life will find you when it's over. KRBC wants to help area volunteer firefighters, too, and you can take part! We're hosting a fire relief drive Wednesday, April 20 from 12p - 6:30p outside the KRBC studio. Drop by your donations and say thanks!

End to Bullying: You May Say I'm a Dreamer

Fat. Ugly. Poor. Freak. These are just a few words among the myriad used to torment, ridicule and shame children across the nation. And, guess what? It's happening right here in Abilene. This derision you will not often see in the news. No, it slithers through hallways and across cafeterias, leaving no trace of anguish, until, of course, it's too late.

When I first read the story KRBC's Jessica Reyes reported on the Abilene middle school student who says he was bullied to the point of suicidal thoughts, I was honestly brought to tears. Bullying should have no place in this city! There is no reason a boy should be taunted simply because of his weight. The girl in the back of Geometry class should not have to loathe what she sees in the mirror each night, because the popular girls snickered at her acne! And, the kid who doodles compulsively and acts out uncomposed symphonies isn't necessarily wierd or a freak; he may have an underlying mental illness or problems at home he's trying to escape!

The truth is this, teens, CHILDREN, are killing themselves over insults and hatred cast on them by their peers, who are probably more insecure than the victims were before onset contempt! Who knows what these lives might have achieved, what impact they might have had on the world? We may never know, but we can use their examples to fuel us to be better.

Lack of love, I believe, is the root of all wrongdoing. Love somebody in need of love today. Who knows? You may reach them just in time.

Surprise Serenade

I do not easily blush, but I must have been a fourth shade of pink Thursday night.

We often have one final story at the end of the 10 p.m. news, usually something light-hearted and entertaining. This time, our executive producer had us sit in a different area of the studio. I just went with it, not knowing I was about to be serenaded by a gallant quartet singing love songs.

I was honestly much more surpised than I looked when the popped in, but I was rather confused. I thought, "Maybe I was supposed to know this was planned." I wasn't. When I realized the foursome were each gazing into my eyes, that's when I became cognizant of the fact that I was to be caught off guard. Boy, was I! I was also sleep deprived, so maybe that's why it took me awhile to realize what was going on.

My reaction may not have been as grandiose as planners had hoped, but I was absolutely stunned and completely flattered. Perhaps it struck me mute!

Check it out. What a great idea for Valentine's Day! http://bigcountryhomepage.com/fulltext?nxd_id=340976