Chirp-clunk to “Harrumph!”

Body If your car is making a funny noise, maybe chirping, the best way to make it stop is to take it to your mechanic. Works every time.

Putting the garden to bed

Body We have a few weeks to get gardens ready for winter. Our usual first freeze date of October 31 gives an interval of a few weeks to tend to fall cleanup tasks before cold sets in.• Take out unhealthy plants.

Lawmakers to tackle soaring home insurance rates

Body AUSTIN- Top state lawmakers plan to address soaring homeowners insurance premiums when they return to Austin in January for the next legislative session, according to the Houston Chronicle.

Team Moses

Body I’ve always had a soft spot for Moses.

TALES FROM TUMBLEWEED SMITH

Body TUMBLEWEEDAs the creator and producer of “The Sound of Texas,” one of the longest running syndicated radio programs in Texas, Tumbleweed seeks fascinating people who embody the spirit of the Lone StarStateandbringsthemintothehomesandheartsofthousands.

TALES FROM TUMBLEWEED SMITH

Body TUMBLEWEEDAs the creator and producer of “The Sound of Texas,” one of the longest running syndicated radio programs in Texas, Tumbleweed seeks fascinating people who embody the spirit of the Lone StarStateandbringsthemintothehomesandheartsofthousands.

These teaching moments

Body Each of us is a teacher. Our classrooms are in the home, in a car, in an office or a drive-through window. It is inevitable that people will watch us and learn something from us and about us.

Phelan’s GOP foes back one challenger

Body AUSTIN— Texas House Republicans who want to oust Speaker Dade Phelan have coalesced behind a single opponent: state Rep. David Cook, R-Mansfield. A total of 48 representatives are backing the two-term representative, including four who dropped their own bids for speaker.

SMITH

Body TUMBLEWEEDAs the creator and producer of “The Sound of Texas,” one of the longest running syndicated radio programs in Texas, Tumbleweed seeks fascinating people who embody the spirit of the Lone StarStateandbringsthemintothehomesandheartsofthousands.

Brother Harold

Body What draws us to people?I think about those individuals whom I have held in high regard, whether personal connections or well-known figures from history or entertainment. Many of them are long gone, but recently one such soul agreed to sit down and visit with me.