2016 has come and gone and like all years there were some very positive things that happened and some really negative things. Personally, it was a tough year because of the death of my younger sister back in February. Lisa was my only sibling and as hard as it was for me I know it was so much harder on my Mom. Children are supposed to bury parents and it is really difficult when that ...
Christmas time is wonderful. The spirit, the giving, the merriment and cheer. All that's fine but I'm in it for the movies. From the old stuff, Miracle on 34th Street and It's a Wonderful Life. The classics, A Christmas Story and Christmas Vacation. The new stuff, Elf and Bad Santa. I love it all and I'll watch em all. Which one is your favorite? ...
REJOICE! No, not because it's holiday season, but because Major League Baseball just made the best possible decision for its product. The All-Star Game no longer determines home field advantage for the World Series. That rule has always been the dumbest in my mind. And don't even try to convince me by saying the players are truly giving their all in the game. The rule penalized the team with the...
My mother was the best at buying gifts. One trick was continual gift shopping. She didn't start hours or days before the event, she was always on the lookout for something unique every day of the year, and especially when she was travelling. It's easy to find unique in Lisbon or London, not so easy when you're shopping the big box two days before Christmas. One end cap gift display looks a lot l...
One of my favorite movies of all times just happens to be a Christmas movie called “It’s A Wonderful Life”, starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. I’m pretty sure that everyone has seen it at least one time in their lives. When I first watched it, I had to be in the first or second grade and, although the subject matter was a little above my comprehension, I connected with the premise ...
Last week, Saline County Commissioner Dave Smith said there is little the Commission can do to reduce the jail population. Perhaps. Citizen Norman Mannel said issues with jail overpopulation will continue until the core issues are identified. I see the core issue as having to do with respect. Those who criminally violate the law don’t respect the lives and property of others; they may disr...
How about them Chiefs?!?! Did you see that game with Denver this past Sunday? If not, you missed a classic. I’m not a huge NFL fan, but that game was outstanding with Kansas City pulling out an amazing 30-27 win in overtime. Following the game Denver Head Coach Gary Kubiak took some heat for a decision he made late in overtime. And what was Kubiak’s “sin”? He played to win. The ...
It was a weird trip back to Salina after a wonderful break to Kansas City for Thanksgiving. When it's time for the holidays, I pack up and leave for my parent's home in Kansas City, the town where I was raised. I was packing my things and my mom asked me what time I was headed home, and I responded. Obviously, since it seemed so minute, I didn't really think too much of it, until I was headed d...
Thanksgiving, a day to give thanks for the blessings in our lives. For many Americans however, it’s a day not spent with family and friends but a day spent serving their communities. And for that I say thank you. Thank you to the doctors and nurses, police officers and firefighters. Thank you to the retail workers getting ready for the holiday season. Employees at gas stations and truck stop...
Brace yourself. I'm sure you've already read a million posts by various people giving reasons to why they are thankful. After all, it is Thanksgiving week. I swear I wasn't going to do that today. I'm still going to get into sports, but when I was driving down a dark, rainy Iron Avenue this morning, a song came on. The words "Thank You" appeared on my radio screen. Yes, that's the famous song b...
