For centuries, port wines have been considered to be among the most regal of the still wines. It was a favorite among European royalty and was adored by the British. more

Life was at a comfortable cruising altitude, and we were happy to be along for the ride. But then it nosedived, and some unseen force shoved me and my mom into a small room and slammed the door behind us. We looked around and realized we were alone in the cockpit, expected to take control and make a thousand different decisions to safely land the plane. more

As warmer days arrive in our area, seeing plants come to life in our garden is an exciting prospect. However, be aware that you may not see some of your old plants again this year. more

I have often used this quotation and I must use it again: “Beware that the good deeds of the day do not come back to haunt your nights.” more

Dear readers, I’m taking some time off this week to help my mom during her cancer treatment. But while I’m away, I’m sharing a column published nearly 14 years ago about a topic that has boomeranged back into pop culture in a big way. In a few weeks when the Academy Awards are handed out in Hollywood, the movie “Barbie” will be one of the films in the running to take home the Oscar. I watched the movie with my 17-year-old daughter, and we both laughed and loved it. more

I recently listened to a podcast on the art of doing nothing. Sharon Salzberg, the co-founder of The Insight Meditation Society in Massachusetts, spoke of a motto that was created for their retreat center: “It’s better to do nothing than to waste your time.” more

The warm and springlike weather for February has caused many to put away their cold-weather heavier red wines in favor of the lighter, fruitier, warm-weather favorites: the rosé wines. more

In today's modern society, it is not uncommon on St. Valentine's Day for women to give love gifts to their male acquaintances, be they fathers, husbands or friends. There will, therefore, be a major difference in the gift as perfume and/or flowers may not go over too well with him. However, a gift of wine definitely will be an appreciated and thoughtful gift. more

Men! Have you been personally harmed by this year’s Taylor Swift NFL storyline? Do you hate KISSING? And GIRLS? There is a solution! It’s very simple. Cross your index fingers in an “X” and repeat after me: more

When a thought or a random fact circles around and around in your head, looking for a place to land, sometimes it’s trying to tell you something. Lately, it’s elephants who keep tromping around in my brain. more

Before I had teenagers of my own, I interviewed a child psychologist for an article I was writing at the time. During the interview, I asked the doctor for tips on how parents could better relate to teenagers. His answer stuck with me: “Parents need to remember that almost all teenagers have the same number one fear, and it influences nearly everything they do and say.” more

“Believe Science! Trust the science!” more

In the past, there were three styles of wine: red wine, white wine and rosé. more

At least once a day, I run across a room yelling, “No, no, no!” Then I lunge for the remote control, the way a soldier dives for a grenade before it explodes. more

Let us take a look at a can of peas. When you pick up a can of peas at the supermarket, do you look at the label to see where the peas were grown or the farm where they came from? Are the peas foreign or domestic? What section of the country and what year were they grown? Or even the name of the variety of peas that are in that tiny little can? Of course, you don't. more

The desire for change often seems to accompany a new year. It comes with the desire to be better and to do better, and gardeners often want it to be the year of the best garden ever. If you are thinking of starting a new garden, a new planting area, or just revamping a current garden, then consider picking a gardening theme. more

One of the side effects of having an English degree is that I remember famous works of literature – but only the weird ones. The one I’m remembering lately is extra creepy. It’s a short story told by a narrator who insists he’s just nervous, not crazy. He’s anxious because he killed an old man for a bizarre reason: He couldn’t stand the sight of the old man’s “vulture eye,” – which is a pale blue eye with a cloudy film. more

I have often been questioned on “what makes a wine vegan?” Since wine is made from fruit, mostly grapes, then are they not vegan by definition? The answer is a resounding yes, although that yes is often followed by the most fighting word in the English language: but. more

Editor's note: This column was initially published Saturday, Jan. 6 in the Sedalia Democrat, prior to Monday and Tuesday's snowstorm. more

My mother is radioactive. You wouldn’t know it by looking at her. She’s dozing in a recliner, and the only hint that something is wrong is the sign on the door, which reads “Caution: Radioactive materials.” more