Surprisingly, you don’t need to travel to experience “home on the range.” I was invited to spend some time at the Orman farm just west of Midland. They raise longhorn cattle. After parking in the drive, a blue tick hound, with tail wagging, walked us up to the long country porch. ...

I've tutored children of all ages for the last thirty years. Oftentimes, grades are affected by stressors either at home or school. Sometimes, children just need a little boost by one to one tutoring. It is so much easier for a person who is observing a child in a one to one setting to see learning problems and then intervene, so that a child has a good day most days at school. ...

In my previous article, I spoke about institutional bullying. This form of bullying takes place in the work place and is when bullying becomes "entrenched and accepted as part of the culture. People are moved, permanent roles replaced by short term contracts or with people with less training, workloads increased, schedules change, roles change, career progression paths are blocked or terminated, all without consultation. Employees have no alternative but to accept this culture."...

I've see much about bullying, not only on the news and in the newspaper, but on Facebook and Gmail. Some pretty good discussion are going on using the different media. One type of bullying I found interesting and that I've observed often happens in the workplace...

This time of year, the smell of pine conjures up some wonderful memories. Our family insisted that our Christmas tree had to be real. A couple of weeks before Christmas, we set out to find the perfect tree excited and with great anticipation. We crowded our oversized clothed bodies into dad's truck. Driving from small lot to lot with tree sales, removing ourselves from the confines of the cab was a struggle. Lots of giggling and laughter added to the adventure...

While at ISU, elementary education was my major with a minor in early childhood education. Even though it's been many years, educating the very young child was believed to be of major importance. As I finished my senior year, I wanted more experience working with little ones. I was fortunate to find part time employment at an outstanding preschool...

I'm back to square one on the clean up of the narrow piece of property belonging to LSSC. It parallels my home and lot and continues to be an eyesore. I've watched with great interest as abandoned properties and those properties that are eyesores are slowly being cleaned up. ...

"I will teach what I love without reservation or apology. I will love those I teach and show it by offering them a place to learn and create. I will give each student the respect and dignity children deserve but sometimes are not given. They will discover the freedom and discipline that is learning."...

Geeze! I've noticed as my brother and I get older, we've become more like our dad, in some ways. I'm not saying that's a ghastly reality. Pop had some wonderful qualities. He liked to help people and often repaired items freely for many different folk. He was generous to a fault. His legacy to his family continues. He was a fairly social man and liked nothing better than hanging out with his friends...

"I think it's just up ahead." An all too familiar comment made between three friends traveling to Gulf Shores. As we traveled through Kentucky, Tennesee, and finally Alabama, our destination always seemed to be just up ahead. During my most recent moment of impulsiveness, I Googled "pet friendly Gulf Shore cottage". ...

Chantel Eaton and Elizabeth Riggins reaffirm your sense of faith, hope, and goodness for animal advocacy. Our interview came right on the heels of another arrest for horrific animal cruelty. Sick minds seem to manifest behavior by abusing the defenseless and innocent...

I believe the year was 1976. A blizzard like no other blew in and dumped a tremendous amount of the white stuff in this area. The wind was fierce and blew the snow into small, slippery peaks of ice. My husband was traveling for Public Service. I was home alone. At that time we lived in a barn-like home with the upstairs living area and the downstairs garage. A large sliding door looked out to the north in the bedroom. Another graced the southern wall of the living room...

Eight years ago, I was the student/family adviser for the Linton-Stockton School System. I lived on N.E. 4th right across from the east wing. It took me about two minutes to walk to my office. One morning I walked out the front door. I took notice of a strange car sitting on I Street with one person on the passenger side. ...

My family members have their own "method of madness" when it comes to Christmas shopping. My brother is a last-minute shopper. The last week we have gone from here to there looking for a specific item. We've met some interesting people. After carrying on some fairly lengthy conversations, we found that one fine group of Dyers, who live near Freedom, are related to the very kind family who resides outside Worthington...

Life is like a carousel. You choose who you want to ride along with, be it spouse or friends, and once and a while, they get off the ride. I've known many characters in my life, some for only one day, some for several years, and still others for a lifetime. There was something about each of them that made a lasting impression...

I've been hearing a lot of folks talk about their kids starting college. That set me to thinking about my own university days. I realize now those days were absolutely a time of gentle simplicity. The requirements for college life were not extremely draining or too challenging. Get yourself up, shower and dress, pick up your books, and head out to grab some food. Walk to class, listen to professors, do the necessary assignments, and earn credits...

It's a good life with a few curves to keep us active. We've designated every Sunday as "donut Sunday." One of us gets up early, dresses quickly, and makes a beeline for Angell's (now Baesler's). This Sunday was my turn. As I drove slowly up the street, I saw a long-haired wiener dog. He had a defeated droop to his compact, elongated body. Pink tongue lolling from his mouth ... he was a sorry sight...

Could you take a couple of minutes, enjoy a video on Facebook, then cast a vote that supports one of Linton-Stockton Elementary School's outstanding professionals? You may remember Angela Colliver as the counselor who brought her therapy dog to school each day. Colliver was recently honored with the Peabody Leaders in Education award. She is now in a position to receive first place in this district, but needs your support...

Some signs of good luck are four leaf clovers, a rabbit's foot, the Blarney Stone, a pendant to ward off the evil eye, crossed fingers, a knock on wood, specific animals or insects, and other lucky charms. Bad luck signs come in various forms like walking under a ladder, an open umbrella inside a room, a broken mirror, Friday the 13th, a black cat crossing your path, and so on...

In the 1980s, my husband worked as a deputy for former Sullivan County Sheriff John Waterman. Waterman received an anonymous tip. A couple of men were planning to steal copper at the Peabody Mine near Dugger. John decided to stake out the area. Andy was to be his back-up along with Carla, John's wife. They asked me if I wanted to go...