My dad has a fair-sized garden this year. There is an electric fence to keep the varmints at bay and he regularly goes out and checks on it. Every few days he…
Category: Editorials
Emerald’s Gem Box: The Pledge of Allegiance
I write this column in honor and recognition of the upcoming Flag Day holiday. Flag Day is celebrated each year on June 14 in recognition of the stars and stripes. It commemorates…
From the sunny side: Kindergarten
In my old home town of Perry, Fla. almost everyone fell into one of two categories. You were either an alum of Kiddie College or Happytime kindergarten. I was a graduate of…
Emerald’s Gem Box: Respect for parents and adults – and the lack of it
It totally amazes me the lack of manners being taught to our youth. Manners that I so affectionately call “home-raising.” I have always teased by saying that I learned how to say…
Learning As I Go: Snakes
I’m not sure what it is about seeing a snake. I lose all sense of proper reasoning, and everything around me suddenly looks like a snake. Branches, vines, rakes, pipes and ropes…
From the sunny side: A field of white crosses
Well, here we are, another Memorial Day weekend is upon us. There are many who say this weekend is the “unofficial” start of the summer season. I remember one particular Memorial Day…
Learning As I Go: Blown By the Wind
He hovered in front of my rocking chair on the porch, slowly flying up and quickly dropping down. At first, I thought he was trying to make his way under the eave…
Emerald’s Gem Box: Memorial Day
America will celebrate Memorial Day next Monday. With this holiday comes a day off from work, family gatherings, cook-outs, beach trips, a day outside or just another day at work (depending on…
From the sunny side: Do good
This has been a little bit of a challenging time for me. I generally try to be a “positive” type person. Recently, being “positive” has not been entirely easy. Grant you, I…
Learning As I Go: Wearing Mama’s Glasses
Playing dress up in my parents’ closet was one of our favorite pastimes as a kid. There was nothing like wearing a ball cap, one of Mom’s button-up shirts and Dad’s giant…
Emerald’s Gem Box: Stop paying people to sit home
In all my years of being a business owner, I have never heard the desperate cry of businesses needing help as loudly as I do now. It is almost impossible to find…
From the sunny side: A good village
A few days ago, I was talking to a life-long friend. When I say “life-long,” I mean I have know this guy since he was born, as he is a few years…
Learning As I Go: Out of my comfort zone
As I navigated bumper to bumper traffic in Central Florida this weekend, I felt my anxiety escalate. The giant bridges with no emergency lanes caused me to grip the steering wheel a…
From the sunny side: “Thank you” Mrs. Hamby, Mrs. Rollings and Ms. Faulkner
I have had many great teachers in my life. I’ve also had a couple of teachers who weren’t so great, but I won’t dwell on them. If I were to talk about…
Learning As I Go: Scatter Your Seeds
I refuse to mow my front yard. Last year, I scattered the seed heads of dried wildflowers all over my yard and I have excitedly waited to see where they will come…
From the sunny side: Marking time
Ever since I can remember, I have had a funny way of marking down the days to any big event. I know a lot of people may mark a special day on…
Emerald’s Gem Box: A woman was created differently on purpose
“Our generation is so busy trying to prove that women can do everything men can do, women are losing the unique qualities that set us apart; the God-given femininity and unique way…
Learning As I Go: There’s no time like the present
We walked around the house and measured. Lots of discussion and thought went into the next half hour. How many boards would we need? Can we cut them in half and have…
From the sunny side: Thank goodness for baseball
I love baseball. There is no secret about that. In fact, I do believe I have shared that personal little bit of valuable information about myself on previous occasions. Of all the…
Learning As I Go: Grow where you’re planted
Plants growing out of people’s gutters or flowers in the middle of a concrete slab always baffle me. First, how did that little seed end up there, and second, how did it…