The other day, I was on Facebook, and someone had posted a picture of an item they described as an antique with the caption “Do you know what this is?” They have these quite often, and I can usually name the item, which I do not think of as an antique. more

It’s time again for every parent, teacher and student’s least favorite school year tradition: standardized testing. more

As the resurrected Lord came back from the grave, he made a select group of appearances. The stories about his appearances are incredible! more

Flames erupt. All is chaos. Campus in an uproar. Spring finals canceled. Protests abound. more

April showers bring May flowers, and by the way, poison ivy. If you’re cleaning out flower beds or landscaping, just know, there could be danger hiding in those beautiful rose bushes. Wear long sleeves, long pants, boots and gloves. Look, identify and even if you don’t see any, when you get in the house, wash your clothes and scrub yourself good with soap and water. more

It should be common sense: Criminal justice laws ought to make us safer. more

Those yellow-bellied dusty devils are at it again. They've launched their annual full-scale attack, and no amount of antihistamines can stop them. more

In the mid-to-late 19th century, before Worker’s Compensation, Social Security, and the practice of employers providing life or hospitalization insurance to their employees had been established, an injury or death of a worker could plunge the family into abject poverty. more

What a week! more

The sun was shining through my window, and I could feel its warmth through the windowpane; outside, the grass was past mowing size and looked like a big green bedspread covering my yard. more

No, this piece isn’t about Neil Armstrong’s famous words to NASA when he and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon nearly 55 years ago. Instead, it refers to what happened during breakfast several weeks ago when Gary and I glanced out into our backyard to see a bald eagle on the ground alongside our small lake. He was devouring a squirrel and appearing to enjoy every bite. more

Y’all remember Sisyphus? He was the Greek guy who was doomed by the gods to push a boulder up a hill every day, only to watch it roll back down every day, for eternity. more

When I was tasked with writing this column, I couldn't have anticipated the extraordinary honor that would be bestowed upon Smith-Cotton High School. Just last week, the students of Team SCREAM etched their names in history as the first robotics team in Missouri to secure a FIRST World Championship banner. Their victory, as a part of the winning alliance at the 2024 FIRST Robotics World Championship in Houston, Texas, is a testament to their exceptional skills and dedication, and it brings immense pride to all of Smith-Cotton High School. more

Even though details and plans are still being worked out, dates have been set for a number of educational events in the upcoming months. more

Author’s note: I apologize for an error in last week’s column. I mistakenly deleted a part of a paragraph that explained the upper-class’ use of language, specifically the word “lady” to refer to an upper- or middle-class female who followed society’s rules for behavior and dress, and the use of the word “woman” to refer to a working-class female no matter how properly she behaved. more

Chocolate chip cookies, the Slinky, Play-Doh, Post-It notes, and potato chips. The one thing they all have in common is this: They’re losers. more

This week, the Sedalia Democrat announced its upcoming transition to a twice-weekly newspaper from its former schedule of Tuesday through Saturday publication. more

A few things: more

I worked outside this past weekend, clearing last year’s plant debris from my native beds, and as I raked, I found myself dreaming of summer foods. more

Public art is a great way to capture a city's history, culture, and local accomplishments. It can serve as a highlight reel for those in the community and as a teaching tool for visitors. It can make vibrant use out of otherwise ordinary urban spaces and bring joy and mental well-being to those who gaze upon it. No matter how temporary those feelings may be, they're better to experience in small amounts versus not at all. more