Last week, I wrote about basil, the herb that we have dubbed the king of the herbs. Well, it turns out that the French also use that moniker.

Have you ever been asked to pray aloud in a large group? Or do you pray only in private? Prayers can be said anywhere at any time, but orally, in front of others, out loud, petrified me. The first time I was invited to pray in public was intimidating because the prayers familiar to me were e…

Some days are not quite like any others. Yesterday was one of those days.

Basil, also known as the “king of herbs” or “royal herb,” gets its name from the Greek basilikón phutón, meaning “kingly plant.” Folklore varies greatly, with tales of it being able to produce scorpions, warding off the strike of a basilisk serpent and growing at the foot of Christ’s cross, …

Ah, the memories of lazy, hazy days of summer linger — the most carefree days of my life with no bills to pay, figuring out what to make for dinner or other adult concerns.

The term “potluck” was coined more than 500 years ago, putting a label on the concept of a communal meal where each guest brings a dish to share. The idea was that if everyone brought a little something, there’d be a little something for everyone. The practice caught on and has been flourish…

Herbs have been heralded since ancient times for their culinary, medical and aromatherapy aspects. Simon & Garfunkel immortalized parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme with the release of their album of the same name in 1966. Some herbs, such as rosemary, are more popular than others and are…

The term "muddin'" or "mudding" conjures up images of enormous tires on big, dirty trucks or Jeeps — off-road vehicles — with mud slung and dried even on the rooftops. Our family has a couple of memorable muddy incidents.

Previously, I’ve postulated an idea related to the vastness of life’s purpose — an idea so wide-reaching it can be summed up in seven words. Can a mere seven words help us establish a focus on the meaning of life? Perhaps.

One of my biggest regrets from my time out in Montana is that I didn’t explore the state. I didn’t really see outside of the city of Sidney and Richland County as much as I would have liked other than my few trips to Billings for state tournaments. It’s a beautiful state with several nationa…

It’s mid-June, and gardens are thriving with fresh vegetables that are — or are very near — ready to be picked. It is also the time to get a second round of these vegetables in the ground. One of my favorite things to grow in summer are peppers, and because I want to prolong the harvest for …

Parenting is a tough job. My mistakes are many. There are no do-overs. My children know their mom did the very best she could with the limited knowledge she possessed. Most parents agree, yet none have all the right answers.

Like most avid gardeners, I have a lot of plants both in the garden and my home. I know you’re not supposed to play favorites, but this is the time of year that I favor the tomato plants above all others.

For most of the past two weeks, my sick bed was my comfortable place. Well, actually, there could have been more comfort there. At any rate, illness changes perspectives. We ponder more. We see things as they really are, and priorities shift to those things most important.

I had a bit of a eureka today.

I intended to write round-by-round predictions for the NHL playoffs, but higher priorities changed my plan. With the semifinals now underway and the Montreal Canadiens finally being able to cross the U.S.-Canadian border for the first time in a year, things are finally beginning to look a lo…

Having a wanderer’s soul and being a military spouse, I have lived in 20 homes in six states and two countries before settling here in Athens and was shocked at the cost of water and sewer. For the first few years that we lived here, I was sure we had an underground leak. Heck, I had a home …

A toothless smile and twinkling eyes were a stark contrast to her wrinkled and worn face, but the diminutive sprite we called Grammaw. She was always busy yet managed to take time for anyone and everyone she encountered.

When I was pregnant, I anticipated the birth of my precious babies, but I dreaded the pain of the actual experience. Hey, I’m human.

They were my great-grandparents, but everyone in the holler called them Grampaw and Grammaw Osborne, pronounced "Orsbun."

Life can seem complicated sometimes. Because it is. There are responsibilities and deadlines. Work is demanding. Home life is demanding. There are never enough hours in the day — or the night, for that matter. Sleep deprivation is real. The threat of COVID-19 is real.

Have you ever had a really smart pet? We’ve had several, mostly canine, but such intelligent critters. So far, they have all lived up to the old wives' tale that the darker the roof of their mouths, the more intelligent they are. A few not-too-smart ones I’ve known followed suit.

In some ways, we are all hurting. We are all grieving. Regular readers of this column know I’m experiencing grief as a result of the sudden and unexpected passing of my husband, but grief doesn’t have to involve someone dying and leaving this earth.

A few weeks ago, I was down in South Alabama at a friend’s farm. He was planting watermelon in a plot about the size of a football field. Of course, being that he planted such a large number of watermelons, they will be sold to local groceries and at farmer’s markets — and at least one will …

Visits to or from doctors was a rarity in my youth and long before, and, yes, doctors really did make house calls in those days.

My husband left this world in November. I miss him every day, in every way. Of course I do. I had someone tell me it would be weird if I wasn’t sad right now. She was right.

Last week, I was having a conversation with some friends about the foods that each of us didn’t particularly like. Of the foods I have tried, there are very few that make my list; I’m not a fan of liver, black licorice, runny eggs and peas. Most of the foods I deemed undesirable were apparen…

Several years ago, while sitting in church in another state, my oldest grandchild, Jack, sent me a lengthy and sentimental text. Being unsure of the sermon topic, something stirred within him, and he elaborated his appreciation and love for me.

I often receive feedback and notes from readers via email or Facebook. I love messages from people who read this column. Each one is appreciated.

If you’re reading a gardening article, chances are you are a plant enthusiast, as I am. There is something very satisfying about creating a garden full of healthy, thriving plants, shrubs and trees. But, what do we do when one of our babies shows signs of disease?

A year and a half ago, I found myself in a new role — family matriarch. Somehow, it had never occurred to me that it was in my future. Despite planning ahead, the present is where I dwell.

It’s been five months. Five long months, but there are still so many things to do. So many goodbyes left to say. Most of them are symbolic and silent, but they are goodbyes, nonetheless. Between just him and me.

Does she, or doesn't she?

They say it changes you. It transforms you in ways you never could have or would have imagined before.

I love just about everything that has to do with summer — early morning sunrises, butterflies flitting, birds chirping, the smell of fresh-cut grass and suntan lotion, and flowers in every size, shape and color imaginable, all working together to provide a little Zen to my soul.

More than 30 years ago, a genuine treasure fell into my lap — but what to do with it? We took a trip to visit my birthplace in southeastern Kentucky.

Yesterday, I changed a light bulb. It was the overhead one at the entrance to our basement stairs. I had to use a stepping stool in order to reach it.

Ah, I love spring! The birds are chirping, lawns are greening up, trees are budding and sleeping perennials are starting to poke their heads from their underground beds. Three years ago, I planted tulip and daffodil bulbs around the base of a dogwood tree. The idea was that these spring bloo…

True friends' hearts are always open for each other, regardless of time apart. True friends experience sunshine in one another’s company even when it’s stormy and they share an umbrella. True friends share ups and downs, and they cherish the memories they have made together.

I wanted you, and I had you. It was beyond wonderful. But, you had to leave, and now I am alone.