SO NOW WE'RE relying on our schools to feed our children? Why not rely on the schools to also get our kids out of bed, dress them and take care of other parenting duties?

MODERN ECONOMICS and banking have gone so far that it all seems to fit with the term e-CON-omics. Columbia has put $100 million in state deposits "up for bid." Banks will "bid" for the money supplied by South Carolina taxpayers. I'll open the bidding with $1. And, for a $100 million payoff, I'm willing to up my bid to $10.

A BIG RAVE to the Langley Fire Department and Rescue on the way they handled the death of my mother. They were so nice, and it meant a lot to our family that they prayed with us the evening that we lost our mom.

A RAVE FOR the Midland Valley High School football team, coach (Rick) Knight and his assistant coaches. Great job, team. You did it. To all the people who said it couldn't be done, guess what? We are region champs.

YESTERDAY I WAS in a funeral procession in North Augusta. The procession went from North Augusta all the way up U.S. Highway 25 toward Trenton. I was furious at the individuals who drove alongside the procession instead of pulling to the side of the road out of respect for the family. Not only did this one particular car drive along the side, but she blocked North Augusta Public Safety from getting to its next traffic light to hold up for the procession to go through, even after they put their lights on her. Unbelievable. I can't believe the people who cannot show any more respect than that. How embarrassing! I almost got your tag number and posted it.

SOUTH CAROLINA state agencies are "gasping at the enormity of the reductions (in money they'll get from the state) and scrambling to find ways to save money." Alas, most -- that's most -- agencies in government at every level are completely unnecessary and are, in fact, unconstitutional. But that won't stop the big boys who steal our money and convince many of us that they're doing us a favor by robbing our piggy banks.