On March 1, 2007 I was doing what I normally did on any given Thursday, teaching at a small private school in Dothan. Severe weather was predi…

Okay, so three months ago, I had no idea I would be living way back in the woods of a nearby rural county. But, guess what? I am. God’s funny that way.

Jan. 11, 2017. It’s the 55th birthday of my husband of 32 years.

It wasn’t supposed to happen.

But, it has.

Christmahanakwanzika, according to the Urban Dictionary, is a word made by combining the words Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.

“This way no one feels left out and you don’t have to worry about what you say every time you meet someone,” urbandictionary.com states.

The local, regional, state and national elections are over. Yet, people are still fighting, protesting, losing friends over it.

In the words of President-elect Donald J. Trump, “STOP IT!”

I have no idea how the local, regional or national elections will turn out as I write this. But, as you read this, we have a new president, like him or her or not. I don’t have an opinion, either way, but I know Jesus and He is my president.

Yes, it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and it is so important to not only be aware of the cancer that is the most common cancer among women, but there are at least 114 other causes that claim October as an awareness or action month.

With all the craziness going on in this world I’m departing from seriousness just a bit to promote some great country music.

“Is not this a true autumn day? Just the still melancholy that I love - that makes life and nature harmonise. 

Roughly 35,040 people have been diagnosed and 35,040 people have died of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, aka ALS, aka Lou Gehrig’s disease since my husband was diagnosed with the monster in June 2010.

“Only armchair politicians are immune from committing mistakes. Errors are inherent in political action. Those who are in the center of political struggle, who have to deal with practical and pressing problems, are afforded little time for reflection and no precedents to guide them and are bound to slip up many times,” Nelson Mandela wrote in an unpublished autobiographical manuscript in 1975.

Attendance. Discipline. Grades. Parental Involvement. All aspects the Daleville City Board of Education is eyeing to improve upon. And, it appears, the attention is not just lip service from the powers that be.

“I stood there examining my body beneath the stream of water and decided, I don’t want my body anymore. I was terrified of it, I didn’t know what had been in it, if it had been contaminated, who had touched it. I wanted to take off my body like a jacket and leave it at the hospital with everything else.”

Do you struggle to figure out “what’s for supper” most days? I know I do. Being alone now that my kids are grown and on their own and my sweet hubby of 32 years is in the nursing home, I find that I don’t eat well and rarely cook. It’s just no fun to cook or bake for myself.

This life on earth will never be without trials and tribulations, wars and unrest, so on and so forth.

There have been a lot of tragedies during the last few weeks, criminal and otherwise. It’s affected my thinking and my ability to rest. So, fo…

We have a lot of crazy weather here in southeast Alabama, like some other places, I suppose. The last part of 2015 and now into 2016, it seems our weather is flip-flopping more than usual.

“I respect that the FDA represents the gold standard of drug safety, but certainly those with no other options are willing to take an elevated risk. Perhaps those patients are willing to settle for the silver or bronze standard,” said Ted Harada. Harada was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in 2010—the same year my husband was diagnosed.

There are so many issues in our world these days. So many, in fact, I had a hard time deciding what to tackle for this column. So, in 2016, what does one do when confused about something and needing a little 21st Century guidance? Well, Google, of course!

I was raised to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ as well as ‘yes ma’am’ and ‘no ma’am’ and my husband and I raised our children the same. For the most part, I think my adult children— of the millennial generation— carry those niceties forward. I am sure, not all the time, but most of the time. I’ve witnessed it so I know that to be true.

Is this where we, as citizens of a free nation, have slipped up? Have we forgotten to instill a sense of duty in our children, a duty to participate in their communities and their local governments, not as careers but as citizens?

Adoption.

Once, long ago, it was a hush-hush thing. I am not sure that I understand why, but it was. I suppose for some people it may still be something that should be tucked under a rug. I can’t imagine why. I am an adoptive parent and I can honestly say that I feel adoption is one of the most beautiful things in this life.

As I write this I find myself reminiscent of my 20’s, which is the age I was when I last wrote an editorial for or in this area. Without giving my current age away, let’s just say it’s been awhile. Before, I was married with no children.