“Don’t eat that! It’s poisonous,” I yelled across the playground. “They aren’t poisonous,” the second-grade boy told me, “I eat them all the time. See,” and he popped a shelled acorn into…
Category: Editorials
From the sunny side: Girls and the weather
This time of year, I’m always baffled by the behavior of the weather. It seems as if every year, at this time, the weather tends to tease us with what it wants…
From the sunny side: The boy in the bubble
I saw a movie several years ago about a kid who had a rare auto-immune disease that made it very dangerous for him to even walk outside his house. The slightest little…
Emerald’s Gem Box: Children learn what they live
I was talking to a teenager the other day, and she was telling me how when she gets in trouble, at home, she gets slapped. I was horrified. I know this seems…
From the sunny side: Dedication or commitment?
I am frequently reminded of just how blessed I was to be Pat Patrick’s son. The older I get, the more I value the lessons, stories and values he passed along to…
Learning As I Go: The ‘Land of What Ifs’
“No, stop right there. We aren’t even going there,” my husband stopped my youngest in midsentence. “Well, why not?” “Because that’s not real. You are living in the ‘Land of What Ifs.’…
Emerald’s Gem Box: This IS about freedom
“This is not about freedom or personal choice. It is about protecting yourself and those around you” – President Joe Biden – Sept. 9, 2021 Let me repeat that … “This is…
From the sunny side: And the dancers danced on
It doesn’t take much more than a passing glance at any of the news channels to come to the realization that the world is in a mess. We have a nasty virus…
From the sunny side: I feel great
There are times when I feel my age. Other times I feel someone else’s age. Most of the time I’m not quite sure what age I should feel. Like I told one…
Learning As I Go: Made new
Five years ago, my husband and I spent eight months carefully tearing down an old church building, trying to salvage all the usable wood for our future home. That eight-month stretch was…
Emerald’s Gem Box: Sign up for our newsletter
The most valuable thing in the world is knowledge. In life, we must all learn to embrace knowledge. To look for knowledge. To crave more knowledge. Knowledge is power. Knowledge provides us…
From the sunny side: Gone fishing
In the process of “making conversation” a few days ago, someone asked me if I enjoyed fishing. Of course, without hesitation, I replied, “Absolutely.” I have always loved fishing. One of my…
Learning As I Go: No, thank you
“No, thank you,” I replied. What I really wanted to say was, “Yes, please. A giant serving, with chocolate drizzled on top. And while you’re at it, send some home with me…
From the sunny side: Harry Truman and I
I know I’ve said it before, but can you believe it’s already been five years since I started invading your living room for our weekly visits? I can honestly say that I…
Learning As I Go: Keep the path clear
I mowed the path around our field and asked myself, “Why am I doing this? We hardly ever walk around the field anymore. Why am I wasting my effort?” Soon after, I…
Emerald’s Gem Box: It was party time!
Two weeks ago, on Wednesday, Aug. 4, we held our 57th birthday party, to celebrate the many years of providing the local news to Madison County! Not only do I like to…
From the sunny side: Musings
When I began this job five years ago (Does it really feel like it’s been five years?), I made a request to write a weekly column. I wanted to write about pretty…
From the sunny side: Facepage memories
Earlier this week, I happened to be looking on line at the “Facepages” and was reminded of some “memories” from five years ago. Realizing that there are frequently times that I can’t…
Learning As I Go: “Snakey” Instincts
“What in the world is that dog after?” I yelled from around the corner. My husband and I were working in the new house, installing ceiling boards. Frank, our wild, hooligan of…
Emerald’s Gem Box: Happy Birthday To Us! 57 Years and Counting
It has been 57 years exactly, to the day! August 4, 1964 was the first edition of the Madison County Carrier. My parents (at the young age of 25) founded and started…