This is a story about heroes - good people doing good things. The cast of characters in this performance shares one thing in common: They are strangers to one another.
My sister is having some renovations done to her house and is momentarily out of bathrooms. So she has been staying with me intermittently.
I overheard something funny as I was munching on a sweet snack last month. I didn't catch much of the conversation, but I did hear, "I need hot fudge." I thought it was hilarious.
Another week, another controversy in official Washington.
Last week, a federal judge ordered Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to allow 10-year-old Sarah Murnaghan, who suffers from cystic fibrosis, to be moved to the adult lung transplant list. She then got her potentially lifesaving transplant.
My favorite memory of my father isn't a memory at all - or, at least it's not mine. It's a tale told years ago by his older sister about Dad's first day at elementary school in the south Georgia town where they were born.
Attention, Newton County mothers and your adult daughters: When you're out and about shopping, picking out spring plants for your garden, or maybe enjoying lunch and a little family gossip, do not be alarmed if you notice me lurking about. I have neither sinister nor larcenous intent.
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The new year has seen itself in without any assistance from me for a number of years. My being sleepy and grumpy on the first day of a new year is a poor start. I don't make New Year's resolutions as a general rule. But, a bout of nasty health issues this past year made me realize that having goals for the new year might not be a bad thing. Nothing terribly dramatic but simply ...
You could call 2009 "the year of the quitter" in Georgia politics. It was a 12-month period marked not by the accomplishments of politicians serving in elected office, but dominated instead by the news of people who decided to leave office or drop out of an upcoming election campaign.
You can stick a fork in 2009. It is done. I can't say I am sad to see it go except that it puts me one year closer to the ultimate conversation with my Maker, who can't wait to hear my excuses for a life not lived as well as he and I would have liked.
 I've lived several places around this state. Some of them were named for Revolutionary War heroes, former presidents or places in Europe. I spent most of my growing up years in Social Circle, a town named for group of fellows who gathered around a well to drink water (that's the puritanical version; others think it may have been firewater).
James Brown song "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" got it wrong - there is a quiet revolution underfoot that one day might make it more of a woman's world than a man's. They vote more, they study more, and they spend more.
About this time last year, disgusted with the November results of America's 2008 general election, I decided to approach 2009 in a positive light. Realizing that pouting as January arrived would make for a very long year, indeed, I composed a little slogan and repeated it all year as mantra to keep myself going: "It'll all be fine in twenty-oh-nine."
I've had only a few hairstyles in my entire 49 years. As a grade-schooler - during the heyday of the hippies - I was saddled with the classic barbershop buzz-cut. Even though I was only in the first grade as the "Summer of Love" commenced, I sensed something violently wrong with my shorn locks. So, I pleaded and begged, and by sixth grade, I had convinced my parents that a few less "inches off the ...
It is hard sometimes to enjoy Christmas day for thoughts of returns, exchanges, thank-you notes and the 10th turkey salad sandwich in the near future. It may not be your first thought, but I think you should give yourself one more Christmas present this year, a present that will continue giving all year. It isn't a present that will come with a 2-year minimum contract or a first year special rate of any sort. It ...
Being a member of a legislative caucus is an interesting experience. When I was first elected, many longtime members explained it as being like a very close knit club, one where you experience the ups and downs of events together. After five years of membership, I'm not sure I'd say the analogy holds completely true, but it certainly does in many particulars. Take the events of the last few weeks. The implosion of Speaker Glenn ...
A few years back we converted our family's old 8mm films to the more modern VHS format, now also obsolete. But at least we preserved our family's celebrations of Christmas from the 1950s before the fragile films deteriorated completely. One scene shows a plate of Oreo cookies and a tall glass of milk my brother and I left for Santa Claus to have as a snack after his magical climb down our ...
This year has been tough for most of us. Nearly everyone I know has been touched with furloughs, decreases in retirement funds and property values or unemployment. However, after Thursday's Leadership Newton Community Service day, I realized that I am so blessed.
Over the years my appreciation for Christmas has changed. In the now dimming memories of childhood, there was the surprise and delight at what Santa had brought. As I grew older, a greater appreciation for the season, particularly when reaching the age where mistletoe was of interest.
Acts of kindness There are number of groups that have been busy elves this Christmas season whether it be through their volunteerism or through monies raised by them for a good community purpose. Recently our law enforcement officers here in Covington and Newton County, along with the Department of Family and Children's Services, were out in force taking local children in need shopping for Christmas. We appreciate the efforts of our police as they annually ...
Now settle down! I didn't say there was anything wrong with The South; I just have some ideas for a few improvements here and there. Put down that fire place poker, listen up, and see what you think. If you agree with me, we can get a petition going and send it up to the governor's mansion in time for Christmas.
It's no surprise that the Georgia media has been consumed with the recent scandals erupting at the state capitol over legislators and their alleged affairs with lobbyists. Any assignment editor with a pulse will tell you that sex is what brings readers and viewers to a story. In the rush to explore every aspect of Glenn Richardson's resignation as House speaker, however, we may be overlooking a story that is much more important to the ...