I have had the privilege of serving as Chief Medical Officer at Bothwell Regional Health Center for the past 10 years. My medical training includes Internal Medicine as well as Pulmonary and Critical … more

Everyone has quirks, and one of mine is that I’m not really big on calling people; I’d prefer to text or message.  I have never delved into why I don’t like making phone calls; maybe … more

In May, the Marching Bobcats would show up bands from much larger schools during the Cotton Carnival parades – marching backward down the streets, generally showing off for all the spectators, so I was probably in Memphis on May 4, 1970. more

Dear Editor, more

Ever heard the term “sad beige children?” It’s used to describe those kiddos whose mothers dress them only in neutral tones, usually in expensive natural fibers. They’re all gentle parented, their toys are made of non-toxic bamboo, and they’ve certainly never set foot inside a McDonalds. Although, if they did, they’d fit right in. All the McDonalds are beige now too. The bright colors and cheeseburger-shaped chairs were stolen by the Hamburglar sometime in the early 2000s and replaced with an ambience de coffee shop, sucking the whimsy out of Ronald McDonald and like some kind of sad cartoon. A lot of people like to blame Millennials for this tragedy due to the closely related color phenomenon called “millennial gray.” This term refers to a sterile, gray, white and black color scheme for newly built homes. Lots of sleek, polished surfaces and sharp corners. Very cold. But I’m here to tell you this is NOT the millennials fault either. We can’t afford to buy homes, much less new ones. Bah-dum-tss. more

Sometimes I have trouble getting my mind to shut off and go to sleep, but I do not like to take sleep aids because at my age, I can’t afford to get too relaxed; someone might mistake it for something else. Lying in bed, however, waiting for sleep to come, can be frustrating. more

When Pettis County was established in 1833, it was divided into five townships. more

Don’t you get tired of spin doctors telling you what to believe? I do. more

A few years ago, I did some freelance projects for an online agency that assigned writers to do work for business clients. Most of it was marketing copy, but the pay was decent. Then, in November 2022, a little thing called ChatGPT was released — one of the first widely used artificial intelligence chatbots. more

Social media has been rife with opinions regarding the United States’ invasion of Venezuela this past week. Most objections deal with Nicolas Maduro being a bad actor, and its being time that Venezuela is rid of the dictator who rules with an iron fist. The people supporting this action believe that, in general, the ends justify the means. The U.S. has, in essence, liberated the Venezuelan people. more

President Donald Trump is fighting a major battle against narco-terrorists who are taking a dreadful toll of Americans. more

I recently read an online preacher –- the fact that he was an Online Preacher should have been my first clue I was about to read something goofy -- I recently read an online preacher claiming that Christians should not use images of the Baby Jesus or spend too much time contemplating Him as infant. Imagining our Lord as a helpless baby, this preacher said, would take away from the more accurate perception of Christ as a strong adult man, one physically capable of taking up the Cross and dying for our sins. Christ as the powerful king, ruler of the universe. more

Imagine a city that prides itself on its towering walls. From a distance, it looks impenetrable — strong, secure, and safe. But one night, an enemy walks straight through the front gate. The walls were thick, but the gate was left unguarded. By morning, the city had fallen, not because it lacked defenses, but because it failed to protect the most vulnerable entry point. In Psalm 141, King David understands that the greatest threats to a faithful life do not always come crashing over the walls; they often slip quietly through unguarded gates. Through careless words, unchecked desires, and subtle compromises. His prayer is not for stronger walls, but for guarded gates, beginning with the mouth, the heart, and the path he walks. more

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had fun celebrating. Perhaps a few of you will continue to have winter parties or get-togethers that revolve around wine. For your imagination, I am focusing this article on using wine as a mixer. While I have included a few in the past, today the door is thrown open. more

I’ve never been one to make New Year’s resolutions, but I do look forward to new beginnings each year. more

Pettis County was established in 1833 from parts of Saline and Cooper Counties. more

Like many little boys when I was a kid, I wanted to be a cowboy and ride the range with my cowboy heroes, Roy Rogers, Tex Ritter and Hopalong Cassidy. more

A few weeks ago, I misplaced my wireless earbuds. I was so frustrated because I really try to keep track of them. They were expensive little buggers, and I wear them daily to listen to audiobooks while I’m out walking, doing laundry, or running errands. more

It’s always a bit of a downer taking down all the Christmas decorations and saying goodbye until next year. more

I marvel at the fact that I can remember the “turn of the century” as if it were yesterday. We wore funny “2000” glasses, doffed hats emblazoned with “2000,” and read articles warning us of Y2K disasters. I was 47. That was 26 years ago. more