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…
Category: Editorials
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…
Learning As I Go: My Christmas Prayer
Dear God, As Christmas is upon us, there is a heaviness in my heart. Our world is broken. People are lost. Families are severed. Financial heartache has created a hopeless state, while…
From the sunny side: Troubling times
I know this is supposed to be the “most wonderful time of the year” and you can trust me when I say that there is no danger at all of my Christmas…
From the sunny side: The Great Xmas Tree Debate
First of all, I know I abbreviated Christmas with “Xmas.” I know some people are offended by this, thinking it’s a way of trying to take Christ out of Christmas. That’s not…
Learning As I Go: In the breaking
“So how do we cut this stuff anyway?” I asked my husband. He handed me a razor knife. “That part is easy. You score it with the razor knife, bend that chunk…
Emerald’s Gem Box: Happy birthday, Logan
Last year, on Dec. 12, I entered into a different part of my life I had never encountered before; being a “boy mom/grandma.” I raised two daughters and I was always so…
From the sunny side: Future plans
Not too long ago, I was asked by someone if I had considered writing a book. I was flattered that this person might think I would have enough to say in order…
Learning As I Go: Running blind
My friend’s brother is blind. But instead of allowing his visual impairment to hinder him, he boldly lives his life. One of his many accomplishments is being a marathon runner. I know,…
Emerald’s Gem Box: I think not
There has been much talk in today’s world of the internet and high-speed knowledge that the printed newspaper is dying. Some think that the newspapers of this world are standing on their…
From the sunny side: Fruit cakes
I often have prided myself on being a little bit different. Not totally odd as in dying my hair all sorts of technicolor hues (although I find nothing wrong with folks who…
Learning As I Go: Simple things
Daniel hurried out of the car, ran to the porch and turned off the outside light. Quickly, he made his way back into the yard and stood beside my husband. “I wanna’…