There goes the bride ... again

Bridezilla has taken on a completely new meaning for me lately. A week from now, at this very moment, I will be getting ready to become a wife. But there’s a different countdown, the REAL countdown: two and a half years together, a yearlong engagement after diamond ring went on hand, a total of three months together when he proposed the first time, and a full 10 minutes after we announced our official engagement before I lost my mind. Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Out of what touch?

It’s discouraging, maybe even damaging, to realize you are not one of the planet’s population. That you are, in fact, some kind of throwback. The thing is, I don’t have the desire to catch up. Current stuff is not as appealing to me as non-current stuff — stuff I know about and can make work. Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Stirrin' up summer memories

I admit, I had my doubts, but I did it. I survived the early August heat wave. And I hope we have no more. Enough already. I want to move onto that 70-degree stuff, where I hope it remains for a few more months. Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Back to school

Can I hear an “Amen?”  I have once again survived back-to-school preparations, along with large amounts of stress and the inevitable last minute school-supply purchases! This long, three-step process is not to be taken for granted. Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Spiders and wedding givens

Things besides pop-open biscuit tubes that really scare me: Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Reporting to blame in election flap

I feel bad for Sandie Dunbar. And John Bishop. On the night of a recent primary election, some shoddy reporting without verification led to a complete misunderstanding. Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Missing the Atchison County Fair

What’s the first thought that pops into your head when you think of the county fair? Livestock? Carnivals? Country folks? That’s fine. But if you think that’s all the county fair had to offer, you missed out. Wednesday, August 25, 2010

A desperate plea

Dear God, I know you’re busy, but I wanted to bring some disturbing news to your attention.   Monday, August 09, 2010

Teenagers, spouses okay

Atchison commissioners are taking aim at larger birds in amending the ordinance banning certain animals in the city. Smelly livestock and dangerous and vicious animals are already forbidden within city limits and pet chickens have recently come into commission sights. Monday, August 09, 2010

Dog days here and there

Soggy Doggy Day at Atchison’s Lions Pool from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 15  will not depend on the weather. “We’re going to have fun rain or shine,” said Deb Clem, event coordinator. “This is a great end-of-season event for the Atchison area and we hope everyone comes out in support of it.” Monday, August 09, 2010

Hubby hits high mark; fair heats up

Nearly 13 years and counting, and it remains unclear to me just what Hubby hears when I talk to him. I know I told him something at least three times this weekend. Then he asks all surprised and unaware when we saw what he looked for. What’s a wife to do? Monday, August 09, 2010

Flood memories pour in

As a 3-year-old child, I lacked the ability to realize the full impact of the July 1958 flood in Atchison. Despite some small talk I’ve overheard in the 50 years since the occurrence,  I admit the accounts I read to prepare for my July history story published in this past Saturday’s edition were personal eye openers. Friday, July 30, 2010

Facing junior high

During the last week of school last year, my son told me he couldn’t see the board in class. Shaking my head in disbelief, I said, “You didn’t think this should have been brought to my attention earlier?” Monday, July 26, 2010

Franchise fees about balance

If the City’s financial journey were compared to running a race, we would have just climbed a steep hill, reached a level plateau, and found ourselves facing another upward incline. The steep hill behind us is two years of a national recession where all communities have struggled amid tough choices with limited resources. Monday, July 26, 2010

Six months of stuff

Every year at the end of June I tackle the Stuff.  That’s the Stuff accumulated on and in my desk over the first half of the year. Sometimes I find interesting Stuff I have set aside for future reference, then buried under other Stuff. It’s my Stuff, a la George Carlin, and no one can touch it. Not even me for the first six months of the calendar year. Monday, July 26, 2010

Mumbling the 'Family Tradition' song

Sometimes, some traits and things carry on regardless of what or how we expect them to. Some might say it’s a family tradition — just like the Hank Williams Jr. tune. Friday, July 23, 2010