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I always assumed when I hit 40, I'd become more of an adult somehow. I'd wear sensible shoes and be properly shocked when folks acted out in public. Quite the contrary, friends, being 40 means I'm most likely the person acting out. For example, in the wee hours of the morning this past week, I found myself in front of a crowd of hyped-up "Vampire Diaries" fans, standing beside the Newton County Judicial Center and ... » Read More

I'm a big fan of lists. I have a terrible short term memory, because I burned all the relevant brain cells away in the early 90s. I wish I was kidding about that, but I'm not. Without a list, I am lost. I need lists for the grocery store, for my daily activities, for books I want to read and movies I want to watch. Sometimes, I need a list for my lists. OK, I was kidding with that one. » Read More

Tickets are selling quickly, so don't miss out on your chance to see Clovers and Company perform on Jan. 21. » Read More

Not to start the New Year off on a downer, but I just read the first blog post I made in 2011 and realized how poorly I did at meeting the goals I set for myself 12 months ago. Someone once said that New Year Resolutions were just a "to-do" list for the first week of January. I'm not sure I even made it a whole week on some of these goals. » Read More

I hope you are enjoying time together with family and friends, celebrating old traditions and beginning new ones. » Read More

It was just before Christmas, 1978, and I'd just seen the best, most beautiful, wonderful, magnificent doll in the history of ever at Gaylord's Discount Department Store. She was called "My Baby Beth." We shared the same name, so obviously we were meant to be together. My Baby Beth was destined to be my baby. She was blond and blue eyed and looked so soft and lovely inside her little Fisher-Price box. I was especially ... » Read More

The Infant Christ is a living symbol of the humility of God who left the glory of heaven to come to earth in poverty and obscurity, showing us that we too are to be little and simple and to give our lives for others. » Read More

Can your child order dinner at a restaurant? » Read More

My grandmother turned 100 this month; such milestones give pause for reflection. She is somewhat iconic to her grandchildren, having donned high boots to wade in the creeks of South Georgia to pick mayhaws for the jelly we all loved, to playing matriarch to five daughters and the massive offspring that ensued. At every turn, this tiny lady who sang in church choirs, dodged water moccasins in creek beds, and scoffed in the face of tragedy reminded us always, "you have it in you." » Read More

As you gather around friends and loved ones this Christmas, here are a few thoughts to inspire and encourage you. All of them remind us of the true meaning of Christmas and we need to remember Jesus is the reason for the season and we should keep that Christmas spirit alive every day, not just at Christmas. » Read More

I can still remember the worst part of swimming lessons: trying to hold my head under water. » Read More

The paper received a few phone calls and letters regarding the use of the moniker "J-Man" in my last column. It was not my intention to offend anyone. If you were offended, I extend an invitation to take another look at my words. Perhaps you'll see the love, reverence, and wonder I expressed when referring to Jesus as the "J-Man."' » Read More