Slim Randles The sign in front of the gas station says “Unleaded, 3.39, special on Colt .357 Magnum, six-inch barrel.”Visitors here in the valley do a double take when they see Vince’s sign there at what we all know as “the gas station gun shop.” That’s because Vince doesn’t believe in being deprived of his…
Dean RidingsAmerica’s Newspapers Strong communities don’t just happen. They rely on connection—residents knowing what’s going on, businesses reaching the customers who keep them open, and citizens having the facts to make good decisions. Local newspapers provide that connection in ways no other source can. In today’s fractured media environment, trust is the rarest commodity. Confidence…
PearlJudy Conlin A new lady has rolled into our life. She is quite pretty; rather sporty looking; and amenable to going wherever I want to go. She is much nicer to have around than the other female person in our family. You’ve probably guessed I’m talking about that selfish diva alter ego of mine, Nurse…
Something to crow about Nancy Kennedy One of my favorite YouTube videos shows a crow in Russia figuring out how to sled down a snowy rooftop on a jar lid. The bird places the lid on top of the roof, stands on it and slides down the slope — and then does it again! It…
What if we didn’t pray for our pastors?Sheryl Boldt What kind of impact does your pastor’s influence have on your church, your community, your family? On you? Sadly, many pastors are leaving their churches because they feel discouraged and sometimes unappreciated. Or they believe they’re inadequate because they’ve lost the ability to influence the hearts…
Preventing World War III Jerry Tetalman Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the major countries of the world have been aligning in two different blocs: NATO (which includes most European nations, the United States, and Canada), Japan, and South Korea, on one side, and Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, and India on the other.Both blocs…
Slim Randles “I think it’s disgusting and weird and unnatural and it should be outlawed!” the tall cowboy said, coming to rest at the philosophy counter of the Mule Barn truck stop. “Aw Steve,” said Doc, “the coffee isn’t that bad.” “Coffee? Nay, I say unto you, Doc. It ain’t the coffee … it’s them…
Surrounded by Angels Judy Conlin With all the evil in the world, there is still a lot of love and caring. I am probably the luckiest old (Oh, I hate that word. Let’s start over). I am probably the luckiest mature little lady in the world; I have lived here for 40 years but I…
A sanctuary on wheels Nancy Kennedy Recently I read about a group of city bus drivers — all Christians — who wanted to bring the peace of Christ to their passengers. They noticed many looked troubled. They asked a local pastor what they could do. He said, “Each morning before you start your route, walk…
Rediscovering our purpose in such a time as thisSheryl Boldt Remember how excited you were when you were seven years old and your birthday was only a week away? How you couldn’t wait for your big day?Do you remember dreaming about how great it would be to be an eight-year-old?Now, decades (for some of us,…
