Each week, I look at my calendar and plan this in for my mental health. Not only is it good for my mental and emotional well-being, but physically, my body is growing …
Category: Editorials
From the sunny side: Armed security
Earlier this week, we saw yet another news report of a tragic school shooting, this time at a Christian school in Nashville, Tenn. As I was driving home on the afternoon of…
From the sunny side: Cook-outs
Rick Patrick Columnist I was recently watching a morning news show on TV, because it was morning and that’s what I usually watch in the mornings as I am preparing for my…
Learning As I Go: Mouse facts
• Mice can leave 40 to 100 droppings a day • If there is one mouse, there are usually more • A house mouse can have a dozen babies every three weeks…
From the sunny side: Brain pills
The more trips I take around that big yellow ball of gas in the sky, the more I feel I can relate to the people I once thought of as “old.” I…
Learning As I Go: Your life resume
As sheetrock mud splattered down from the ceiling onto my shirt, I wondered what my teenage self would think if she saw me now. I always wanted to live in a country…
From the sunny side: Extreme
Since I began my little adventure here at the newspaper, I’ve been called many things. Some of them actually good. Some of them not as good. I’m sure some of them can’t…
From the sunny side: Beet juice
Those folks who know me well, know that I have never been a very picky eater. In actuality, it only takes a casual glance to see that I have not turned down…
From the sunny side: “Squeaky shoe”
Rick Patrick, Columnist Those of you who have seen me out and about at any point in time over the last several months may have noticed that I wear a brace on…
Learning As I Go: Imprinted
“No way. SpongeBob is a rectangle. See, he has two longer sides and two shorter sides.” “No, he’s not a rectangle. He’s three-dimensional. SpongeBob is a rectangular prism.” These two third-grade boys…
From the sunny side: “Who is my neighbor?”
I have told the story many times that when I first began writing this column, I wanted it to be light-hearted and sometimes humorous. I wanted to focus on the “positive” because…
From the sunny side: Some days!
There is an adage that says, “Some days you’re the dog and some days you’re the fire hydrant.” Every once in a while, I am reminded of just how true that old…
Lest We Forget
As I shared in my last column, I have busted my tail planing lumber and sanding this week. We finally got time Saturday to put the wood up, but for some strange…
Emerald’s Gem Box: Love
Valentine’s Day is just a few days away! The smell of love, flowers and candy fills the air. Whether it’s love for your spouse, your children, parents, or a best friend –…
Emerald’s Gem Box: Integrity
Integrity, according to Dictionary.com means, “adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.” What is integrity? It is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. It…
Learning As I Go: Drug dealer outside
Wait a minute. You can’t come in here with that kind of attitude first thing on a Monday morning.” I stopped the angry girl at the door. “Man, them boys always gotta’…
Emerald’s Gem Box: Thank God for your roots in life!
I’ve often mentioned/written before that I wake up early every morning and one of my morning rituals is listening to motivational speeches. Whether it be inner strength, inner success, business success, business/personal…
From the sunny side: Rambling into the New Year
Rick Patrick Columnist Well, look at us. We made it through another year. If you’re reading this and I’m reading this, that must mean we’re both still around. I consider that a…
Learning As I Go: What’s your word for 2022?
Christy Bass Adams Guest Columnist As 2021 comes to a close, I find myself lost in introspection. I’m not big on resolutions, but I’m a huge goal setter. Even little tasks throughout…
From the sunny side: Christmas Eve
Today happens to be one of those somewhat rare occurrences when our weekly visit happens to fall on Christmas Eve. Growing up, I think I looked forward to Christmas Eve almost as…