Imagine that you are watching a race. The participants are tired, their pinned-on numbers damp from sweat, as they pant and force themselves ever closer to the finish line. Your favorite racer is in the lead - his breathing is heavy but there is determination in is eyes. All that training, the hard work, the passion - it’s about to pay off as he approaches the finish line. Just a few more feet, and then - nothing. He just stops - detours a bit, runs backwards, retraces some of his steps, visits with some observers. He goes over to the basketball court and shoots a few hoops. Finally, he comes back and drags himself across the finish line. All the while, you are stunned. He was so gung ho, just to fizzle out? more

When I was a boy learning of life in the woods, my dad taught me to recognize animals by what they left behind — the contents of their scat. more

Bo was a beagle, and they were usually rabbit dogs, but Bo was a squirrel dog. He cared nothing about rabbits. He loved to chase and tree squirrels. Creeks, barbed wire fences, or briar thickets could not keep him from his mission. more

What’s your edible timeline? more

Few Missouri trees have histories that are more interesting than the Osage orange. These trees are probably most noticeable at this time of year due to the large bright green fruit – called “hedge apples” or “Osage oranges” – that appear on the trees in late summer and early fall. Also known as hedge, hedge apple or bois d’arc trees; these thorny trees are frequently associated with the overgrown and neglected edges of pastures, fields and old farmsteads. In most settings, hedge trees appear to be little more than scrub vegetation in forgotten corners of the landscape. more

“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” Psalms 23:5-6 (KJV) more

As I sit to write this, Buffalo is preparing to host another Celtic festival to celebrate the Scots-Irish heritage of many Ozarks families. more

It’s time to find out what’s going on in there more

For better or worse, late September this year is certainly the time for animated robot movies. more

As of Monday, Sept. 30, my daughter Melissa’s mother, DeAnn, has been gone 30 years. The date is an important mile marker for me, my daughter, and all who remember Dee, but I let it pass with little notice, just a telephone call to Melissa. more

I’ve been accused of living on my own planet, so I thought Planet Janet would be a catchy name for it. It’s certainly not an officially recognized galaxy, but I kind of like it here. My husband has often told me that I was an environmentalist, but the way he emphasized the mentalist part made me pretty sure it wasn’t always a compliment. All that aside, I do love this earth and this place on earth and am grateful to be here. more

I got my new license in the mail yesterday. I knew it would not be the best picture, but this monstrosity left me wondering about the vengeful nature of DMV workers. more

What the baby books never told us more

I have not been to the grocery store in quite some time. I let my wife do that. Well, I went with my wife the other day and was shocked. I do not pay much attention to what she spends on groceries. I always thought since it was just us, it was not much. There was not a lot in the grocery cart. It was almost $200. more

This coming election is the most important election ever. Don’t sit on the sidelines and think your vote won’t matter, because it does. Only in voting do we have a say. If you haven’t registered, please do. Don’t wait until the last minute. If we don’t fight for our values and faith, who will? more

I have had the pleasure of traveling north to our red-headed step-child of a metropolis, Kansas City, a couple times recently. Now don’t get me wrong, it has its merits and it is the first place in Missouri that I ever visited and I was enthralled by it. more

School is underway again throughout the Ozarks. Just as when I was a boy, hundreds of kids climb on yellow school buses every morning at country crossroads or the ends of their driveways and lanes. more

A couple of months ago, I wrote a column titled, “I’m not paying that for tomatoes” where I took some good-natured jabs at my parents and their pricey produce. Well, I find that it is now I who must be the focus of ridicule, for I recently took on a DIY project, and let’s just say it cost more than I bargained for. more

Homebody gets a traveling treat more

The Bolivar Area Chamber of Commerce will debut several new awards at a new event later this year. The Chamber Awards Banquet will shine a spotlight on the best of the Bolivar with the BoMo’s Best awards to honor local businesses that have been voted the best by community members in addition to the annual Business of the Year and Community Partner of the Year Awards. more

The Polk County Democrats will host their September meeting on Sept. 16, at Smith's Restaurant at 6:30 p.m., dinner is optional at 5:30 p.m., if you wish to come early and fellowship with Democrats around the county. We have invited our Missouri Democratic Party Executive Director, Matt Patterson to join us as our guest speaker for the evening. Matt will be sharing with us his personal experiences at the Democratic National Convention recently held in Chicago, Illinois. He will also be giving us updates about our candidates up and down the ballot this fall and how we can help get them elected. more

Forty years ago I might have been planning another trip to the West about now. more

I was never so excited to need a longer-sleeved shirt and my little chilly heart skipped a beat when I saw some yellow leaves scattered and hiding amongst the green ones. Could it be? more

To me, September feels like the last burst of summer. Though not yet crisp, the air hints at cool weather coming. Here in the Ozarks, we were blessed this year to feel that a few times during our usually hot, humid month of August. more

Do we need more selfie control? more