I always thought I would be the old lady down the street that kids would describe as the aging hippie lady. I fit the bill some days. Since retiring, I've been wearing the wardrobe I feel most comfortable in--loose dresses in all tie-dye colors. I wear knock-off Birkenstocks in all colors. In fact, I have all colors of Funky Monkey sandals. My favorite sandal is also patterned with tie-dye. more

If statistics are to be believed, I’m part of a shrinking minority: I go to church every Sunday. more

There’s an old joke that states, “A liberal is someone who has never been mugged.” more

To the public: more

This is a story about an old gal I once knew. Her name was Hilda. She has been long gone to be with the Lord. Hilda was born in Germany and left there with her parents to come to America on a ship. While sailing to their new home, both parents became ill and passed away. When she arrived in America, she was immediately sent to an orphanage in San Francisco as a very young child. She never knew her birth date. She was in San Francisco in 1906 when the big earthquake hit. She talked about the destruction and the fires. After the earthquake, there were lots of orphans who needed shoes so her feet were crippled, especially her toes from wearing too small of shoes. It was a rough life for her. Different homes; some good and some not so good.   more

October is about restraint. It's about resisting the urge to buy those giant bags of candy until the day before trick-or-treaters show up to collect it. Years ago, I learned – the hard way – that if you buy the chocolate too early, your house will be haunted by the siren song of Snickers. more

We are all aware of the problem at our Southern border. Throughout the history of the world, nations have enforced border security as a necessity. In America's case, immigrants built this country but that started centuries ago. In today's world, a border that is not patrolled and maintained can be a disaster for our country. This is not a cruel thing, but it is a sad thing that these people flee their own countries to escape oppression and extreme poverty. So as a free country, we feel a moral obligation to do what we can for others throughout the world who are less fortunate than we are. This is a noble thing to do. But, we must all understand that our resources are limited and not totally secure for our own citizens welfare. more

I’m in the fourth quarter of life, retired and blessed. more

The 2024 Fair Grove Historical and Preservation Society calendars are now available at Monroe House, located on the east side of Main Street, north of the Fair Grove square, and Teal's Outlet, located behind Dollar General, on AF Highway, at $5.00 each. more

We have dozens of options for a quick hamburger today, but when I was a boy fast-food hamburgers were not so common, at least not as far as I knew. more

I want to give a big thank you and much appreciation to the doctors and staff at Buffalo Eye Clinic. I have been going there for over 25 years. Sure, I've tried the "big name” eye places, thinking I would find something new and better; but no, I always came back to my home town place. I have had bad eyes as long as I can remember. It started in grade school. I always wore glasses and contacts, but I felt it was never enough — I just always went with it. I Never was a good speller or reader and I know it was because I wasn't able to see properly.  more

Dear Ragweed, more

I guess it is okay to tell this story, since both participants have passed. When my oldest brother Joe Wayne was dating, his younger brother Jerry sneaked on a date with him. I don't know the exact details, because neither would reveal anything. It seems that Jerry hid in the back floorboards, keeping as quiet as could be. Then when Jerry was discovered, and they got back home, Joe Wayne filled his hair with cuckleburs. Other threats may have happened, because Jerry never told anything—absolutely nothing. more

Throughout my life’s journey, I’ve written in journals. Sometimes, the habit lasts for a season. Other times, I use a journal to sort through thoughts of life changes, trauma and personal struggles. My favorite journal is weekly sermon notes. more

To the editor and the Reflex readership, more

I’ve been fascinated with personal handwritten letters since I was in elementary school. My great-aunt suggested we write letters when I was in fourth grade when she was visiting my grandparents. I jumped at the chance to be a part of the great United States Post Office. more

BEFORE more

Like many folks of my generation, I tend to see much as it once was, not as it is. more

A colossal battle over private property rights is underway in the Heartland, fueled by your tax dollars. If your farm, ranch, or little piece of paradise is relatively flat, chances are the property that you’ve worked hard to acquire and maintain is being eyed by green energy developers. It seems these C-Suite executives from Chicago, New York and other big cities see your land as another means to enrich themselves. more

I’ve been told I have a type. Dark, handsome and hairy is the type in a nutshell. more

Once upon a time, during a moonlit night, an unsuspecting woman descended the steps of her backyard deck and stepped onto the stone patio. Her three rambunctious dogs raced past her, eager to hit the grass and sniff out the perfect place to pee before bedtime. more

Bear with me as we take time to remember Dee, for more than 23 years my South Dakota Bride, but much more than just the local newspaper editor’s wife. more

I never understood as a young man why Dad didn’t fix the barn door. All it needed was a proper hinge. more

People often play question-response games on social media. One of the most common questions is asking the reader to leave an answer about how they met. However, last week, one friend posted. “Do you actually read my posts? If you’re reading this, LIE about how we met.” more

I miss the writers. The Writers Guild of America went on strike in early May, and it has been a creative wasteland on television ever since. Most of the shows Tom and I used to watch won't be back with new episodes this fall. Lately, we've been flipping through over 100 channels, amazed that there are so many options yet so little we want to see. more