If “patience” could be bottled and sold, “patience,” the sellers would be rich beyond their wildest dreams. Patience is a virtue, and if practiced on a regular basis, can protect us from being tempted toward anger, and in some situations, rage. All of us experience tension in our lives requiring us to practice a lot of tolerance and acceptance. The […]

Baby boomers born in 1952 are next to join the ranks of Medicare beneficiaries. And, for me, that magic age of 65 will happen in November. When I was younger, I thought time would always be on my side. Like the ant and the grasshopper, there was no reason for me to worry, because age 65 was so far out […]

In the fall 2005, husband Randy and I became empty-nesters. Our daughter, Tracy, was attending the Seattle Art Institute, son Tanner was attending a trade school in Denver and Joey was starting as a freshman at Benedictine College in Atchison. I’ve always been, and will always be, very proud of our children. As parents, we did the best we could […]

The more things change, the more they stay the same. It seems that as I enter my 71st year of life, the more I contemplate that statement. It compels a person in the final decades of life to ponder such questions as, “Who is God that he is aware of us?” and, “Who are we that we are aware of […]

A dear friend once compared my marriage as similar to two elephants living in a tree—it’s possible, she said, but could get very uncomfortable at times. My friend was “colorful” with the way she described situations, and after almost 24 years of marriage, there are times it does get a bit cramped in our little tree. I can’t speak for […]

The more things change, the more they stay the same. It seems that as I enter my 71st year of life, the more I contemplate that statement. It compels a person in the final decades of life to ponder such questions as, “Who is God that he is aware of us?” and, “Who are we that we are aware of […]

My New Year’s resolutions for 2016 started off by asking for God’s help in strengthening my relationships, whether it was with family, co-workers or friends. I looked at last year as a new chapter, but wanting more substance and purpose. Never would I have imagined that in less than three months into 2016 we would lose our son, Joey. At […]

Donald Trump is president-elect with promises of oil promoting ideas. OPEC, led by Saudi Arabia, is cutting oil production. My relatives at Thanks­giving with oil insights were happy for the outlook, whether they liked Trump or not. One family from western Colorado said nearly 20 percent of their customers in a health-related industry had been oil-production workers. Their jobs were […]

In less than two weeks, our country will celebrate Veterans Day—a time to recognize those brave men and wo­men who have served in the armed forces. It is a day with special meaning for my family because my two uncles and my father served in World War II and later in Korea. I also take pride in how my father […]

I turn 70 in November. I wondered if I would reach God’s allow­ance of three-score and 10, and here I’m just about there. I’m also retiring from everything except continuing this editorial column, according to whenever the Free Press allows it. It’s a very unique time of life in an era that is different than any other I have lived […]