Have you ever watched someone watching TV? I used to do it when I was a kid because my dad was nearly as entertaining as whatever he was watching. As a devoted fan of science fiction … more

In this period before the seasons change, there should be some great buys on wine in the marketplace. With that in mind, I would like to suggest some warm-weather wines that I recently sampled. … more

Harbingers of spring beckon, and I answer by lacing up my shoes, leashing my dog and hitting the trail. Spring peepers and chorus frogs call me to the pond where I pause to listen and imagine the … more

About a week ago, I got a text from a close friend saying she was embarrassed that I saw her sunroom in its current state when I took care of her dogs while she was out of town. I rewound my internal … more

We all know the serious side of wine; however, there is also a comic side. Very often, the comedy is in the label or a story about the wine, and I would like to offer the reader some of those … more

I made you something for Valentine’s Day. It took years, and I almost gave up. But I finally finished, wrapped it in a yellow cover, and put a big pink heart on it, just in time for February 14th. … more

Twice in the past week, I’ve dreamed vividly of gardens. Ethereal backyard gardens featuring forests of dill, towering, twenty-foot sunflowers, basil so perfect it was sparkling, and superabundant … more

What would you do if you had “stupid money”? That’s one of the questions I asked my three best friends from high school during our recent weekend reunion. At first, their answers were practical … more

I am writing this in defense of wine. Wine is an alcoholic product that is produced naturally by the greatest winemaker of them all, Mother Nature. To confirm the last statement, take some unwashed … more

World Cancer Day was on Wednesday, Feb. 4.  Normally I don’t care for “awareness holidays,” but I make a yearly exception for this one. Too many people are still unaware of what could be … more

Think with me for a moment on the three days that stand out in February—The Feast of Jesus’ Presentation (the 2nd), St. Valentine’s Day (the 14th), & Ash Wednesday (the 18th this year)—as … more

I am pleased to introduce myself as a monthly contributor focusing on horticulture and gardening topics relevant to the readers.  I serve as a Field Specialist in Horticulture and bring … more

Let’s talk about how the first three weeks of Missouri’s legislative session are going. In short: Gridlock in the Senate. Scandal in the House. Senate Democrats entered the year divided … more

Among the least known of the red wines is the Shiraz, or as the Australians have dubbed it, the Shraz. Whatever name you use, the variety produces some excellent and often affordable red wines. … more

Last Friday I walked with my dogs on the trail. Heavy gray clouds were spitting snow and the wind was bitingly cold. I had a hard time getting out the door because my house felt warm and cozy. By the … more

“He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes. He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?” -Psalm 147:7 Congratulations! If you’re reading … more

Red wines have the ability to bring out the critic in all of us.The white and pink rose wines are nice and gentle, while the red wines are deeply flavored and will invariably engender comments and … more

Years ago the first thing that attracted me to visit the Warrensburg Church of the Brethren was learning that since their founding, along with Quakers (aka Friends) and Mennonites, they were a … 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

Just as we are recovering from the tumult, anxiety and over-eating of the December holidays we get one month and a few days when we run into another holiday, Saint Valentine's day. more