Don’t leave Christmas in December

We are days away from changing over to a new year and putting a new calendar on the wall.Don’t leave Christmas in December. Take it with you into January and beyond.It is so easy to take down the Christmas tree and put all the decorations back into storage.

Christmas through the eyes of a child . . . sort of

Churches all over the nation have been gearing up for Christmas. It is one of the few days where people who may not regularly attend a service will find themselves in a pew.Last weekend our church held the children’s Christmas program, and it went off wonderfully.

Biting the heads off elf cookies and dino nuggets

How do you unwind after a stressful day?Some people like to take bubble baths. Other people go take a nap.Not me. I like to bite the heads off of tasty treats.So, recently I had a particularly stressful day.

Whistling a new tune

I’m walking through the store the other day with Charlie and all the sudden I hear a whistling sound.I look to my right, nothing. I look to my left, still nothing.I shrug it off thinking I am getting a little over-stressed heading into the holiday season. I continue with my shopping.

Smells like Thanksgiving

Smells have a way of bringing back different memories and emotions. They can unlock something in your brain — things long lost and forgotten.Thanksgiving brings many of those smells back for me.Growing up, my family would pile into the family van as soon as we got out of school on Wednesday.

Don’t wait for Thanksgiving to be thankful

What are you thankful for?Next week we will gather around the table and enjoy a feast. It is the one day of the year that it is easy to express thankfulness.But why wait? Thanksgiving comes and goes, but we have plenty to be thankful for every day. Why only give thanks on a holiday?

Don’t forget to Shop Local this holiday season

Shopping for the perfect gift is hard work. Technology has made it easier, but before you go and do all your Christmas shopping with a few clicks of a mouse, don’t forget to visit your local stores.I know what you are thinking:“But Rick.

Can we move on from our political battles?

Well, we made it.Election Day has come and gone. Maybe we can all move on now.Probably not. As we wake up today, all the votes that are going to be cast have been cast. The polls are closed, and the counting has begun.And now we wait. Don’t get me wrong.

Timmy is stuck with a life without superpowers

I was not ready for this conversation with my son.I was getting Timmy out of his car seat last week when he stopped me in my tracks. He grabbed my face with his two little hands and said something I was not expecting.“Dad, I don’t have any super powers.”He was dead serious.

Can we still find common ground?

Lately, I have been watching videos online where the producers bring two groups with opposing views together and they discuss various topics to see where the two sides can find common ground.Sometimes the two sides are Republicans and Democrats. Other times it is Christians and Atheists.