I made a momentous decision back in May. I had been thinking about it for a while, but something about change and the unknown kept me from jumping. Finally, though, I took the leap. I “retired” from playing or directing music at Broadway Presbyterian. more

Our air conditioner bit the dust the other day. It will need to be replaced. It was 33 years old, a grand old age, so while I’m frustrated about the upcoming purchase, we sort of saw this coming. I just wish it would have happened when it was a little cooler. We’re going to be pretty sweaty around here for a while. more

If you go hiking in a park, sometimes they have a map in the main office. If you go to a large mall, at the entrances, there’s a map too. On these maps, there is normally a star or a dot with an arrow pointing to it stating, “You are here.“ From that reference point, you can route your travel and plan for the distance and details along the way. Those traveling with you will need to know where you are presently too. more

Dear Editor: more

Our family had an amazing vacation staying with our oldest daughter just outside of Destin, Florida, last week. It was much needed. more

A short time ago, I wrote about the excellent and affordable chardonnay wines from more

God is eternally existent, which means He doesn’t have a beginning or an end. He was never created. Anything that has been created has come into being because He created it. And, of course, one of the things that He created was humanity. more

Do you ever wish that you could wake up and simply make a decision to be happy? Did you know that it’s possible? more

Rosé wines and the warmer seasons seem to complement each other. Whether it is the delightful pink color or its pleasant, almost perfume-like aroma, rosé wines fit perfectly with our warm weather lifestyle and food preferences. more

The rains finally came and it was great to get a break from watering the gardens and containers. It seems that tap water can keep things alive but rain water really makes plants thrive. Getting up early for a walk-a-bout with a cup of coffee is really worth the effort on these cool mornings. The excitement of seeing a new sprout or a new flower bud never gets old. more

The 2 inches of rain we received last Saturday night and Sunday morning was, in my estimation, the best rain we’ve had this year. Finally, we got precipitation without all the wind and hard rain that just ran off the hills of Warrensburg and down the backyard creeks. It’s amazing how well the plants are looking even though it’s been so dry. more

I believe I am a bit of a compulsive obsessive as I seem to enjoy devoting my columns to one variety or one producer at a time. I now depart from my usual style and offer the reader information on wines that I have recently sampled that are from different nations, different producers and different varieties. To put it simply, it will be the dread of all compulsive obsessives, helter-skelter. more

Here’s a word of warning regarding the not-so-shocking news last week: Former President Donald Trump has been indicted for allegedly committing a crime (or more than one). more

It’s summertime, so that means being in and on the water for many, whether that’s a pool, river, lake, waterpark, or Slip ‘N Slide in the backyard. more

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