The last few weeks have been a very trying time. Businesses closing, financial strains, social distancing and no “fun-stuff” being allowed. You never know what will break you in a time like…
Category: Editorials
From the sunny side: Hang tough
To say these are challenging times could be considered a rather large understatement. It seems that all of us are being hit with a significant “one-two” punch. On the one hand, we…
Learning As I Go: Feed Your Soul the Good Stuff
Here we are in the Spring of 2020 amid this coronavirus quarantine. So many are isolated in homes, cut off from daily relationships of family, friends, coworkers and neighbors. Grocery stores, though…
Emerald’s Gem Box: Your Attitude Is Your Choice
In life, sometimes, we all tend to get caught up with our own emotions and problems and we seem to let those emotions run our lives. Especially in the times we are…
From the sunny side: TP and eggs
I have always been fascinated with people. Often, I am much more fascinated with fascinating people than with people in general, but sometimes people in general make me just watch and shake…
Emerald’s Gem Box: The Coronavirus vs Small Town Businesses
The coronavirus is bringing America (and the world) to its knees. School is canceled, travel is restricted, extracurricular activities are canceled, social gatherings are canceled, sports are canceled, we are restricted to…
Learning As I Go: The Fear Stops Here
“I can’t do it. I’m too scared,” I told my husband as I got out of the skid steer. “You don’t trust me?” he asked. “Would I ever ask you to do…
From the sunny side: A choice
I guess right about now is a good time to address the 800-lb gorilla in the room. Like everyone else, I have been dealing with the inconveniences with this COVID-19 thing. I…
Learning As I Go: It’s Time to Wake Up
I can’t put my finger on it, but something changed this week. I noticed that flowers are blooming. Wildflowers, wisteria, honeysuckle and amaryllis all caught my attention. Light green, budding trees and…
From the sunny side: Robocalls
It happens at least two or three times a day. The phone will ring and as soon as I answer, the voice on the other end will rudely interrupt me saying, “This…
Learning As I Go: Mama, Do You Need Some Attention?
“Mama, do you need some attention?” my youngest asked me. I wiped the tears from my cheeks and pulled him into my lap. “I sure do. What kind of attention do you…
Emerald’s Gem Box: Happy Birthday, Mom
My mother has always been one of the most Christian, caring, sweetest and generous women that I know. And I am pretty confident in saying that other people who know her would…
From the sunny side: Aging
As much as I may try to resist it, I am often hit with an undeniable fact. I’m not as young as I used to be. Earlier this week, I was slapped…
Emerald’s Gem Box: Vote NO to an appointed superintendent of schools Tuesday, March 17
On Tuesday, March 17, voters of Madison County will head to the polls. One of several things that Madison County residents will be voting on is whether the Madison County School Superintendent…
Learning As I Go: Remember Who You Are
I watched the fire crackle and spark for a couple hours last night. No one else around, just me and my thoughts. With my journal and pen I began wading through the…
From the sunny side: Rain Days
Having grown up in Florida, where it hardly ever snows, I have often wondered what it was like to have “snow days.” I have heard stories from my friends who grew up…
Learning As I Go: The power of staying
Life has been extra tough lately and my emotions have been all over the place. Tears are a sentence away in every conversation and sadness hangs heavy over so many things that…
Emerald’s Gem Box: Catching wild pigs
Political season is once again upon us. I pray that voters really consider the fate of America before casting their vote! So many of the Democratic Presidential contenders are running on socialist…
From the sunny side: Cranky old man
I have to admit, I am making progress. I am able to walk now, with the help of a cane. I admit, it would be easier with a walker, but my stubbornness…