Under normal circumstances, I would be busily preparing for the opening of the fall sports seasons. I would be busy getting pictures of the football players, talking to coaches and enjoying the…
Category: Editorials
Emerald’s Gem Box: I hear voices
There’s a country song named “Voices” that explains how he (the singer) walks around hearing voices in his mind. The voices are from his parents and grandparents and the lessons that they…
Learning As I Go: Live like Frank
The past week with a new puppy has been hilarious. Every morning, Frank, comes outside with me to the front porch and runs back and forth. When he goes one way, he…
From the sunny side: Reminders
I am not one of those “social media junkies” who spends hours at a time arguing over politics on the “Twister” or “Facepages” social media sites. I do admit I look at…
Emerald’s Gem Box: 56 years and counting
Aug. 5, 1964 was the first edition of the Madison County Carrier. My parents (at the young age of 25) founded and started this newspaper with no newspaper experience at all; but…
Learning As I Go: Back to life
“You think I’ve lost my mind, don’t you?” my husband finally asked. “Yes. I do. But you stood beside me when I lost mine, so I’m in this thing for the long…
From the sunny side: Who was that Masked Man?
Most of you probably didn’t notice that last week, I went on a much-deserved vacation. My original vacation plans of attending a reunion in Scottsdale, Ariz. were unfortunately changed, thanks to that…
Emerald’s Gem Box: Our newspaper family has grown
One of the best things about growing up in the newspaper business has been giving back to the community and keeping all the local citizens informed of what’s happening in their corner…
Learning As I Go: Keep Your Feet on the Pedals
My oldest has always struggled with balance, so that has made learning to ride a bike a bit of a challenge. We did the training wheel thing, then we did the scooter…
From the sunny side: Pet rocks
I’m sure many of you remember “pet rocks.” For those who don’t, or perhaps they were “before your time,” the “pet rock” was a stroke of marketing genius. People would buy a…
Emerald’s Gem Box: Your input matters to us
Too many times in life we get caught up in our “own world,” and we forget the importance of the thoughts and ideas of others. We are all guilty of this from…
Learning As I Go: Guaranteed fresh until…
“I live life differently now that I might have an expiration date,” my husband half smiled as he turned his attention back to the road. “There may not be a next summer…
From the sunny side: Standing in the middle
Many times when I cover a story or an event, I will have a certain opinion about the subject. One good example of that is when I cover sporting events in which…
Learning As I Go: Bowing sunflowers
For weeks we have been driving past a planted field trying to guess what was planted. Too tall for squash. Too tall for peas. Leaves too big for peanuts. Finally, much to…
From the sunny side: A “cyber” pack rat
I feel that we are friends enough to admit something to y’all. I tend to be a bit of a “pack rat.” I’m sure there’s probably some deep seated psychological reason for…
Emerald’s Gem Box: Heritage or hate?
So much controversy these last few weeks . . . Riots, looting and now killings… killings of small children. So many people wanting to take down monuments and change street names. For…
Learning As I Go: Silly spotties
Movement in the front yard caught my attention. The sun was barely peaking over the trees as a rain shower set in, and it took a bit for my eyes to adjust….
From the sunny side: A new Independence Day
I remember as a youngster, I always looked forward to the Fourth of July. Mostly because of all the firecrackers, bottle rockets, Roman candles and any other legal munitions and explosives I…
Emerald’s Gem Box: Happy 4th of July
As we celebrate the Fourth of July this Saturday, let’s not just think of this day as just another holiday and a day to get off work, play and have fun. Let’s…
Learning As I Go: Flowers grow when we aren’t looking
Every day for a week, I walked around my house looking for evidence that my old-fashioned lilies were about to start blooming, and each day I was let down. All the houses…