Once every five years or so, we get a new television. Sometimes it's because we actually need one – like that summer when a lightning strike electrocuted several of our appliances. But most of the time, it's because Tom starts reading about the incredible picture quality on the newest TV screens, and he just can't stand it anymore. He needs to see it for himself. more

It was inevitable that with the first appearance of the signs of winter that the TV advertisers present an overstuffed man sitting in an overstuffed chair in front of a roaring fireplace holding a glass of red wine and touting some product or other. more

I find solace in nature. Even on cold, snowy days I bundle up and walk the trail here at my home. I often see a barred owl leave his perch and fly silently to a new perch on a different tree, just ahead of me. more

It was an early December morning and as per usual, my alarm clock jolted me out of sleep at 6 am. I grunted and grumbled as I angrily stopped the alarm. more

I’ve often fantasized about experiencing a day with nothing to do – you know, a day when I wake up and do not have to look at a calendar to see what is on the agenda, a day when I might lie in bed for a while, doing Wordle and Connections and Keyword without worrying about taking too long and cutting into my time for amending documents, grading papers, or practicing the piano (okay, that last one is a stretch, but I’ve been thinking about doing 30 minutes a day). more

Are you aware of an area that is considered to produce what are considered to be among the finest and true to the variety versions of the sauvignon blanc and pinot noir wines come from? more

I love New Year’s Resolutions. I love how every Dec. 31 appears to be filled with the powerful possibilities of a 365-day blank canvas, just waiting to be transformed into some great masterpiece. more

Artists in Warrensburg and Sedalia, myself included, were shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of friend and fellow artist Gary Cadwallader, who died in a house fire Dec. 4 in Warrensburg. more

Welcome to 2025! The end of one calendar year and the beginning of a new one certainly renders the title of “Reflections” an apt one for this time of year. I’m thinking about 2025 with an eye toward how I will spend my time and what things I will allow into my daily habits that will form who I am, my frame of reference and how I will respond to the world around me. We are constantly being molded and shaped by the things that we allow into lives and our thoughts. more

I was shocked that a 2022 study found that plants are one of the top gifts people do not want to receive.  In contrast, I often list living trees, shrubs, and perennials as gift suggestions when asked what I would like.  After thinking about the survey results I wondered if it was the plant itself or caring for it that caused the animosity.  Therefore, in this article we will cover aftercare for a poinsettia, an amaryllis, and a Christmas cactus. more

Today is the shortest day of the year, the winter solstice. Long ago, before we understood the workings of our solar system, we were afraid that evil spirits were making our sun gradually disappear. more

Merry Christmas! It’s the best time of the year, or at least that’s what our songs lead us to exclaim. Have you ever pondered the why behind that phrase? Why would we exclaim that it’s the best time of the year? The weather is getting cold, and I know most of us don’t care for that much. How many fair-weather fans do I have out there? more

Earlier this week my kids beat me at poker. No money changed hands, other than colored plastic chips. But the bragging rights will last a while, at least until next December. Our college-aged kids taught us how to play Texas Hold ‘em this year. We ordered cheap pizza and listened to Kenny Rogers sing “The Gambler” while we played. more

Twas the day before Christmas when I got a splinter in my eye that nearly ruined everything. I was 7 years old and all set to be Wise Man No. 1 in the annual church Christmas play the next day. more

One of the things I like about Christmas is the plethora of movies that help get me in the spirit. We start with “Die Hard,” which has joined the ranks of Christmas movies – tongue in cheek, of course – and move to “Love, Actually,” which hasn’t lost a step in the last 20 or so years, hit “The Bishop’s Wife” (the old one in black and white with Cary Grant, Loretta Young, and David Niven), see two “Christmas Carols” (George C. Scott in color and Alistair Sim in black and white), laugh a while with “We’re No Angels” (Bogart, Peter Ustinov, and Aldo Ray) and “White Christmas,” and finish with the moving “It’s a Wonderful Life.” more

The days between Thanksgiving and Christmas could be called the dark zone as it is the time when we realize how much we have spent on Christmas gifts. more

It is December, and the countdown to Christmas is real. more

If you’re not feeling delightful this December -- often called “the most wonderful time of the year” – you’re not alone. It’s been a hard year for millions of people in many ways. You’re not required to fall in line with the holly jolly hustle of the season. more

I think I know every verse of every Christmas carol ever written. The day after Thanksgiving, mother started playing the Mario Lanza Christmas album over and over on our Philco cabinet stereo, and he sang all the verses of each song. more

The Christmas and New Year's festivities are approaching and we are all looking forward to it, however for some, with a bit of apprehension.  more