After such a mild winter – if you could even call it winter – it seems like the spring and summer seasons started ages ago. However, summer is finally, officially upon us, with all its heat, humidity, and fun. more

Disney executives are smart. We know this because they've created a destination called "the happiest place on Earth." Disney’s Magic Kingdom is North America's most visited theme park, drawing more than 16 million people toward Cinderella's Castle each year. more

If you have read any of my columns, you must know that I never mention poor or inferior wines or vintages. The reason for that is simple: in today's modern scientific and super sanitary world, there are only rare instances of a bad wine. more

Have you ever been in a hot tub at a hotel or resort? It can be a place to start up a conversation with someone new. more

It’s been a month since the Sedalia Democrat transitioned to a twice-weekly print schedule, and let me just say, it’s been quite the undertaking. more

On May 17, exactly 33 years after I graduated high school, my baby girl turned her graduation tassel, too. Her service dog, Mac, dressed in a matching cap and gown, trotted along beside her as she crossed the stage to receive her diploma. They both graduated with honors, and Mac received the “seal of biliteracy” on his diploma because he is fluent in understanding both dogs and humans. more

Father's Day is rapidly approaching, and DOD (Dear Old Dad) deserves an exceptional gift. There is nothing that fits that description better than a deep, dark red wine. While the choice of a suitable red wine may be difficult and a mistake could be embarrassing, I would like to suggest some wines that DOD will enjoy while also complimenting you on the excellence of your choice. more

It’s been a particularly lush green time of the year this spring, especially with the abundance of rain cooperating with the sun’s warm light and the soil’s nourishment. Many of us longed for this reality during the long, cold, and mostly greenless time of winter, but now that it’s here in full force and almost summer, we might be lamenting about how much there is to keep up with even as we’re rejoicing in the flourishing of flowers, fruits, and vegetables — not to mention shady, leafy trees! more

From time to time, I hear friends and family complain about being called for jury duty. It seems the summons for jury duty never comes at a convenient time because of personal or work obligations. But serving on a jury is an incredibly important constitutional duty for all of us. To recognize and honor jury service, Missouri was one of a few states in the country to hold a statewide Juror Appreciation Week earlier this month. more

It is common practice to pair wines with foods; but why stop there? How about pairing wines with movies? more

We live in a world today where anxiousness and worry are found everywhere. Every decision, every job, every move we make seems to be wound up in worry. When we read the book of Philippians, we read, “Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again, rejoice” (Philippians 4:4). So how do we begin to have joy in the midst of worry and anxiety? more

There’s another woman in my husband’s life, and I’m the one who put her there. more

Abundant trees, a pond, a creek, hilly terrain, and open areas that used to be pasture compose our 47 acres south of Warrensburg. We love living here, but we are struggling with invasive plant species, most notably sericea lespedeza. more

It was inevitable and as predictable as the sun rising in the morning that at the first sign of winter departing, the marketplace becomes rosé central. While rosé wines do announce the “happy time” of spring, this year, they seem to be doing so in volume. As a person who cannot deny the obvious, I usher in the upcoming season by reviewing some truly excellent rosé wines that I have recently sampled. more

Finally, the rains came and blooms followed. May in Central Missouri gardens is a time of abundance. Gardens come to life with the blousy blooms of peonies and the statuesque blooms of irises. The bloom size and the longevity of the peony and iris make them must-haves for any garden. They are good starter plants as they are both very hardy and bloom reliably when planted correctly. more

Sauvignon blanc wines are currently suffering the same fate that befell the merlot wines at the turn of the last century. more

Sleep is beautiful. But the physical act of sleeping isn’t. That’s why I roll my eyes during rom-com movies when the man wakes up early (yeah, right) to gaze adoringly at the woman he loves while she sleeps. more

I love the story of the woman at the well. If you’re not familiar with it, look in the fourth chapter of John’s gospel. more

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 12 and is one of the happiest of our national holidays. Thus, only the happiest of wine is the order of the day, but which one? more

It’s time again for every parent, teacher and student’s least favorite school year tradition: standardized testing. more