As we approach the end of the year, we typically display the best books of 2024 (according to Goodreads Choice Awards). They break down the top books for the year by genre, so no matter what kind of books you like to read, you can find the most popular titles. more

Damask tablecloths. Matching candles. Fine china. Perfect Christmas trees adorned with matching ornaments. Quiet classical music. Formal clothes and a formal dinner. Wine and cheese. more

I once saw a family photo zoomed in for an Instagram picture. The hashtag included live authentic, blessed, life is good, family first, and such sweet kids. Everything looked perfect; the family was nicely dressed, the tree looked beautiful behind them, and everyone was smiling. Outside of that perfect picture for Instagram, there was a child screaming and crying, a mess all over the place, and a curtain rod pulled down, among other issues. The picture did not match what was happening, and looks can be deceiving. Why do we feel we need to look perfect and try to impress other people? Why can we not just be who God created us to be? more

At the turn of the nineteenth to the twentieth century, Sedalia, the “Queen City of the Prairies,” thought highly of itself. more

If you want to get an older person talking, just ask them about their grandchildren. I have never met a grandparent who would not want to talk about their grandchildren. more

December is the darkest month. It is at least for me. more

Carnivore. Atkins. Raw food. Paleo. Ketogenic. Vegan. Ayurveda. more

A quiet revolution has been going on for some time in the field of nursing, and Bothwell Regional Health Center is in the thick of it. more

I think I know every verse of every Christmas carol ever written. The day after Thanksgiving, mother started playing the Mario Lanza Christmas album over and over on our Philco cabinet stereo, and he sang all the verses of each song. more

Sedalia at the turn of the nineteenth century was a city of contradictions. more

As I sat soaking in my walk-in bathtub the other night, I started thinking about how the simple act of bathing has changed over the years; at least for me. 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

The season of hustle and bustle is upon us. Because of how the calendar falls this year, Christmas is but two-and-a-half weeks away – just enough time for me to get all the décor up from the basement, put it up, and take it down. more

You know the phenomenon wherein you see something once, and then suddenly you are seeing it everywhere? Well, it’s happening to me. Multiple times this Advent I’ve seen someone complaining bitterly about a child’s Christmas list. more

Seems like just a few short weeks ago we were taking down our Halloween decorations. The Reese’s peanut butter cups and Kit Kats were consumed, and we were packing up the witches and goblins. It was November 1st, and admit it, you wanted to put up the Christmas tree and the mistletoe. Well, it’s finally time to bring out the Santas and the Reindeer. We’ve got another Thanksgiving under our belt, the belt admittedly, we had to loosen after the turkey, the dressing and the pumpkin pie. 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

Author’s note: Much of the information about Charles Yeater in this column comes from William B. Claycomb’s book Pettis County: A Pictorial History. more

The holidays are not just a time to gain weight; they are also a time to build great memories. I have accumulated a lot of those good holiday memories, and at this time of the years they come rushing back to me. more

It appears that whether one supports or opposes abortion may depend on where one lives in Missouri. more

Author's note: This column originally ran in the Sedalia Democrat in November 2019. more