Earlier this week my kids beat me at poker. No money changed hands, other than colored plastic chips. But the bragging rights will last a while, at least until next December. Our college-aged kids taught us how to play Texas Hold ‘em this year. We ordered cheap pizza and listened to Kenny Rogers sing “The Gambler” while we played. more

I like old things. more

Last week, I walked my dog and took trash to the bin. Suddenly, the neighbor’s German Shepherd bolted towards us and grabbed little Sophia by the back haunches. Quickly, the neighbor popped out of her house and called the big dog off. I’ve never seen this behavior out of the German Shepherd before. It was an unfortunate incident. No injury occurred, except she now has PTSD. more

There was a time in America when most people were healthy. Up until the late 1800s, families generally raised their own gardens. The word "cancer" and some of the modern health problems were seldom heard. Toward the end of the 1800s, however, the growth of population and rise of large cities changed things. More and more processed foods were put on the market. Chicago became the center of the meat-packing industry, and that is when people noticed that food safety was going down. The Chicago Stockyards and Chicago meat industry headed up much of the country's meat production. It was soon learned that the meat-packing facilities were places of filth, putrefaction, disease, dampness, poor-ventilation, and lack of oversight. People were sickened when they read of the problems. Newspapers noted that sometimes poisoned rats, splinters, rope ends, and other things were scooped up and canned as potted ham. Upton Sinclair's novel on the subject and a 1906 jingle that ran in the newspaper made people take notice. more

‘Twas the day before Christmas when I got a splinter in my eye that nearly ruined everything. I was 7 years old and all set to be Wise Man No. 1 in the annual church Christmas play the next day. more

She’s coming like clockwork. more

“For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11) more

What does complaining do to your brain? more

If you’re not feeling delightful this December -- often called “the most wonderful time of the year” – you’re not alone. It’s been a hard year for millions of people in many ways. You’re not required to fall in line with the holly jolly hustle of the season. more

I have come again into the woods on a December evening. more

I find myself a little impatient at other drivers and slow walkers during this time of year. The streets and the stores are crowded, and like myself, they are on a mission. I have had people pull out in front of me just so they can get one car ahead. Even if it means the other person has to slam on the brakes to avoid hitting them. A 2019 survey found that 45.5 percent of Americans say that other holiday shoppers are the root of their stress during the holiday season (Total Brain). more

It is the first day of December as I take pen and paper in hand. more

I really do love words. For me, they've always been like magic. As a shy kid, I felt so fenced in by fear of nearly everything, but putting words on paper set me free. No pressure, no time limits, no judgment. more

The last thing I wanted to do at 6am on Thanksgiving morning is to get ready to run a 5K in 30° weather. But this year I had family to join in the fun. Our youngest son, daughter in-law and 3 grandkids spent the night and bundled up to head to the local YMCA to burn a few calories before our Thanksgiving feast. It was not about winning, although that was fun too. Our son brought home 1st in his age group and one of the grandkids and myself came in 2nd in our age group. In my defense the other woman that came in first had legs at least a foot longer than mine. (my excuse). Everyone did well and it was fun to see the comradery and hear everyone cheering and encouraging others. more

Our pastor mentioned hitchhiking as an everyday activity in the 1900s, and I was overwhelmed with personal memories. more

This week, I had a chance to grab a brisket sandwich from Buc-ee’s. I’ll testify that I like it better than any Kansas City BBQ joint. We lived there for many years, and I thought K.C. had the best barbeque. Nope, it’s Buc-ee’s. more

With Saint Nick’s annual visit approaching and winter’s cold starting to settle in, I can imagine some folks hoping to find warm fur caps, gloves or coats under the Christmas tree. more

I'm good at some things — like making a paper projectile out of a straw's wrapper, swatting a fly with one targeted strike, and quoting lines from reruns of sitcoms. Thanks to excellent teachers, I also have a few academic skills, like knowing when to use "who" or "whom" in any given sentence and where apostrophes should and shouldn't be.  more

Tis the season to be busy, busy, busy. That can equal stress, stress and more stress. The holidays can be a joyous time visiting with family and friends. It can also be a very busy stressful time. It is also a depressing time for some. more

Some just-nippy mornings it wafts on the air as lightly as the fragrance of apple blossoms in spring. more

My mom was a formidable woman. She was a “where the rubber meets the road” kind of lady. The first time I realized this was at the supper table when I was still young enough. I had to sit on the tall stepping stool.  more

We all have good days and bad days. How you handle the bad days can make a difference. Or even how you handle the good days can make or sabotage a healthy eating plan.  Some people eat comfort foods when they are sad. Some eat celebratory foods when they have accomplished a goal or celebrating a wedding, holiday or other special occasions. This time of year is especially tempting to overeat on foods we do not get the rest of the year or just overeat while celebrating with family and friends. Who wants to miss out on that? more

For years, I said the thing all busy parents say when we’re wading through the drama of raising humans – the feeding and cleaning, the last-minute science projects, and the after-school activities that swallow up evenings and whole weekends. On days when I felt outnumbered by kids, errands and messes, I’d mentally reassure myself with this one hopeful phrase: “When the kids are in college, I’ll have time to take care of myself.” more

Let’s return to the 1900s and remember the variety shows we watched as the family gathered around the television with rabbit ears, static snow, and sometimes aluminum foil attachments. more

The interstate that connects my town to neighboring towns is under construction. It's going from two lanes to a much needed three. But during the road's growing pains, construction workers have erected a concrete barrier that runs along the left-hand side of the road right next to the yellow boundary line. And that short but solid wall? It scares me. more