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

By the time you read this, Hue the Cat will have had a rude awakening. Hordes of people will have descended on the house, disrupting her calm and predictable life. She will have had to hide from tiny people, all of whom will want to touch her silky, black coat, and (horror of horrors) will want to pick her up, holding her close to their hot little bodies. more

EUREKA SPRINGS, Ark. — If you are looking for a special place to visit for the holidays, we found our happy place at Eureka Springs, Arkansas, last week, Nov. 20-24. more

I am now at an age where, like others, I have experienced several deaths of people I care for. All four of my grandparents, my father, two cousins tragically in car accidents, family, friends, and some who have significantly impacted my life. more

I may have made a mistake when I started feeding one of the neighborhood cats that came to my back porch, because now there are three and sometimes four cats waiting for me each morning. more

When the United States declared war on Spain in 1898, the fighting extended beyond Spain’s territories in the Caribbean. Most Sedalians were at least somewhat familiar with Cuba and Puerto Rico. 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

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — While planning holiday family excursions, one might try visiting Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas. more

When you look at the calendar, it is clear the “holiday sprint” is about to begin. There are groceries to buy, events to plan for Thanksgiving, and children everywhere are drawing up their Christmas lists. Squeeze in the upcoming Missouri Farm Bureau Annual Meeting from December 8-10 at the Lake of the Ozarks, and it seems like the pages are getting ripped off the daily calendar at an extraordinary rate. more

My husband and I were two of the 108 million people who tuned in for the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul boxing match on Nov. 15. more

If you have not read “James,” I recommend that you do. more

Winter cold and wind are soon going to be upon us. Wind chill values are a usual part of any winter weather forecast. Wind chill also impacts livestock, so developing some type of wind protection is beneficial to the performance and well-being of the animals we care for. more

The members of Company D of the Second Regiment of the Missouri National Guard were called to duty in April 1898, after the United States declared war on Spain. The men of Company D were sent to Jefferson Barracks near St. Louis for evaluation and training. more

It has happened to me again; when I was at the bank the other day the nice lady teller who was waiting on me seemed to be having some trouble identifying me. more