I apologize to everyone with allergy problems, because I have never quite understood the agony of continual sneezing, blowing one’s nose, tears streaming down one’s face, and carrying around a box of tissues as if they were gold. Emily suffered mightily in both spring and fall, and the best I could do was say, “Oh, I’m so sorry. Please pick up your Kleenexes [or Puffs].” more

“What is your life?” writes James, the half-brother of Jesus. “For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes” (James 4:14). The Psalmist declares our life is “like smoke” (Ps 102:3). As I look around at the world and all those hurrying here and there, I ask myself, “what is the rush?” more

Normally, I read fiction, as it’s a great way to escape from reality for a bit. Recently, I have revisited my love for historical fiction. more

The poet William Wordsworth wrote of our “little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness ...” more

In listing the earliest residents of Blackwater Township in the northwest corner of Pettis County, the 1882 History of Pettis County names Isaiah Prigmore, who came in 1829 from Kentucky. more

Things are not the same as they were when I was growing up. I believe that every generation has said this from the beginning of time and that’s because of the one constant: change. more

Dear Editor: more

I have written many election-related columns as editor, but I tend to publish them just before Election Day. This year, I thought I’d offer my election reminders a little sooner. more

“Dear March, come in! more

We were going to have out-of-town guests who drink coffee in the morning. Neither of us drinks coffee. I “celebrate the moments of my life” with a French vanilla coffee mix, and occasionally, Max joins me, but he is not a regular. more

Last week, I used the bulletin cover to remind us we have one month to get ready for Lent. It is important we ask the Lord what He is calling us to do for Lent because He knows better than we, what we need to do and because when we start preparing now, we will be ready on Ash Wednesday. The parish also needs to be ready to assist us in our Lenten practices. more

First, decide on an area to solarize. Then purchase a clear plastic sheet that will cover the entire area with some overlap. The plastic must be clear; no black, white or translucent will work. Look for sheeting in the paint department of larger stores. It's best to do this in the heat of the summer since it will give better results the hotter it is. more

I doubt that you could talk to any man with normal emotions who would not have a love story about an old car. more

The 1882 History of Pettis County comments on the soil fertility of the Blackwater Township and notes, “among the representative farmers of this county, none stand higher than those of this township.” The farms discussed in the History lay in “rich and exceedingly attractive portions of the township.” more

The summer after I graduated from college, I had no job and zero prospects. I opted not to return to my summer job as I had done every year since high school in case I found full-time employment. So when my boyfriend asked if I wanted to tag along to his family’s annual Fourth of July vacation, I quickly agreed. more

Just when I thought the FBI couldn’t get any worse, it does. more

It’s Lent. Forty days of dedication to prayer, penance, almsgiving and fasting in the name of the Lord. Not fasting like medical fasting before a scan or surgery. Not trendy intermittent fasting for weight loss, either. This is fasting invented by those mean old religious people. They want you to eat less meat and just eat less in general, and they expect that to have some kind of an effect on your relationship with God. Ridiculous. more

We heard this week that former President Jimmy Carter has entered hospice care. I hate to hear this, because Jimmy Carter is a wonderful example of what Christians, and humanity in general, should aspire to. His words and actions are beacons to us all. more

There are roughly 60 days from now until we can reasonably expect to have some pasture available for our cow herds. This still allows adequate time to make adjustments to winter feeding programs and realize some feed cost savings. more

I wrote about this many years ago, but I believe it’s time to revisit the topic. more