King Ahab and his Queen, Jezebel, were infamous for so many terrible actions. This week, I was reminded of one of those. It was when Ahab looked out of his palace and…
Category: Editorials
Emerald’s Gem Box: Judgment Day
Judgment Day – it will happen, one day, for each and every one of us. The question each one of us needs to ask ourselves is, “What will be written in MY…
A trip down memory lane: Family isn’t always blood
I was four years old when I met her for the first time — my now step mama, who I simply call “mama.” I’m here today to tell everyone that Disney was…
From the sunny side: New technology and old TV shows
I generally am not one to boast about my Christmas gifts; or rather not since I’ve become an adult. I know that last statement could elicit more than just a little bit…
Learning As I Go: Redneck engineering
Sometimes it seems that Jeff Foxworthy should look into my life to get some new material. I mean, seriously, if you have to jiggle the handle every time you flush, you might…
Emerald’s Gem Box: Happy birthday, Brooke
Thursday, Jan. 21, will be the 26th birthday of my daughter, Brooke! Brooke is my second child, being born two years after Cheltsie. I think the second child seems to grow up…
From the sunny side: Three out of four ain’t bad
By now, everyone around Madison should know the story behind the iconic statue located in Four Freedoms Park. This notion of the four freedoms stems from Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Jan. 6, 1941,…
Learning As I Go: The end of the old
In order for something to begin, there must be an end. The end of a year. The end of a job. The end of an illness. And while the new is waiting…
Emerald’s Gem Box: Chaos in America
I have really struggled this week on what I wanted to write my column on. There has been so much happening: 1) Amen vs. A-woman; 2) The raid on the Capitol vs….
From the sunny side: More silliness
I really do try to steer away from political stuff during our weekly visits, but when I see the level of silliness that I am currently witnessing out of the “hired help”…
Learning As I Go: The capture of ratzilla
“Set all four traps. I’m tired of hearing that stupid thing in my walls and under the floor all night. Let’s kill him.” And so, my husband set the traps behind the…
From the sunny side: Not the same old New Year
I admit, I’ve never been much for making a big deal out of New Year’s Day. Marking another day on the calendar is a bit arbitrary, if you ask me; which no…
Learning As I Go: 15 lessons from 2020
Hard stuff comes when we aren’t ready for it, but that hard stuff doesn’t have to define or derail us. Family, and friends who are like family, show up when we need…
Emerald’s Gem Box: Happy New Year!
2021 is here! Hallelujah! I don’t think there has ever been another year in history that everyone in the entire world has wanted to see gone more than the year 2020! Usually,…
From the sunny side: My letter to Santa
You can go ahead and laugh if you want, I choose to still believe in Santa. My list for Santa may have changed a great deal over the years, but I still…
Learning As I Go: ‘Twas the night before christmas, 2020 style
‘Twas the night before Christmas, the year, Twenty Twenty, Santa’s at home with T.P. a plenty. For he had been saving roll upon roll, hiding from Corona, at the North Pole. But…
Emerald’s Gem Box: Merry Christmas
The countdown is finally over … Christmas is here! Let the fun begin! Hundreds of glasses of milk and cookies will be left out, with only crumbs and an empty glass left…
From the sunny side: Santa works at the bank
This week, “From the Sunny Side” is a “Best of” column from December of 2016. I hope you enjoy and may this holiday season be a safe and wonderful one for you…
Learning As I Go: Taking care of you, part 2
Little did I know last week when I wrote about slowing down and taking care of myself that I would spend this whole last weekend in bed not caring that I hadn’t…
Emerald’s Gem Box: I’m a Glamma (Again)
This past Saturday, Dec. 12, at 6:27 p.m., I became a Glamma – again! Logan Michael Riley entered into this world weighing 7lb 5oz and was 20 3/4 inches long. He is…