I come from a baseball and softball family. more

The growing season is here again, and we see the fields and garden plots beginning to show lines of green as the seeds begin to grow. It is a natural and magical process at the same time, and it renews a sense of awe in me for the wonder that is nature.  more

We have all heard stories, read books or seen movies that glorify the late 1800s as the age of American opulence. It was then a period in history where horse and buggy carriages transported elegantly dressed guests to lavishly decorated ballrooms for dinner and dancing at the home of larger-than-life millionaires. more

What do you do if you suddenly find a gold mine in your backyard? Run down the street naked shouting "Eureka!" as did Archimedes in ancient Syracuse when, while taking a bath, he solved a puzzling physics problem? more

“There’s a hundred and four days of summer vacation, then school comes along just to end it, but the annual problem of our generation is finding a good way to spend it …” more

Hebrews 11:13 more

Among the natural wonders with which Missouri is richly endowed are its many rivers. more

Close to two years ago, I decided to set out on a journey to get to know myself better. more

I was recently fortunate enough to sample some Spanish wines from the Beronia winery. more

I have frequently written that I am an avid old movie buff and often mention films in my writings about wine. There was a very popular movie, “The Good, The Bad and the Ugly,” and I believe that title best describes wines made from the pinot noir grape. There are some exceptionally fine affordable wines made from that grape variety but there is the occasional low priced “stinker” that leaves a bad impression of the variety and the producer. more

The rains finally came and to see everything have a long drink of water is a delight to all gardeners. Branches on one bald cypress tree literally have risen six inches in the last 24 hours. As a bonus, weeds can actually be pulled out by the roots rather than breaking off at soil level. Remember to mulch immediately after any weeding endeavor. more

This month represents my last month in Warrensburg. My family and I will leave Memorial Day exactly five years after having arrived to work for the Church of Christ, preaching and teaching the gospel. As my family and I pack our belongings and say our goodbyes, I find myself becoming more nostalgic and reflective about our time here. more

The headline in The Missouri Independent reads thus: more

Bill Chapman was the reason I became Municipal Judge. Then the City prosecutor, he talked to me about being a substitute judge about three years after I opened my office. I liked the idea and agreed to accept an appointment. more

Wow! It’s hard to believe how little rain we’ve received this spring. For me, it has required watering and mulching our garden plants long before I normally do those tasks, which is sometime toward the end of June or even into July. I’ve delayed some planting because I don’t want to use all the water the plants would require. more

It has rained one measly tenth of an inch this month at my house. more

Though my mother was brilliant, she often did things that defied logic – and logic wasn’t her strong suit. Her lack of linear thought often made her laugh at herself when she saw that what she had done was ridiculously funny. And she often told on herself, laughing the whole time. more

We all know stories about the Prohibition period in the United States. It was a time when any and all alcoholic beverages were prohibited by the 18th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States from being made or transported in this country. more

“I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth; do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” – Isaiah 43:19 more

Mia Culpa, mia culpa, I hereby confess to a sin so egregious that it may have my credentials as a reputable wine connoisseur and critic revoked: I had a red wine, a La Crema Pinot Noir, with chicken and the worst of all, I liked it. more