senior scribes
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Darke County Senior Scribe… Crosshairs 2017, By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! For those of you who read my column faithfully, (thanks much), you'll know that there's some things I just have to find out for myself. While I was "cruising the information super-highway" or playing on the world-wide web...I happened across a link to a State of Virginia site to take an online course for a concealed carry permit - issued by the Virginia State Police... read more
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Darke County Senior Scribe… A fresh look at the New Year, By Lois Wilson
Once again Senior Scribe Poet Laureate Lois Wilson is on top of the season with her insightful look at the important events of the day. This time it’s the New Year. For those who make resolutions each year, Lois offers a slightly refreshing perspective. And it’s no different as we look toward a new year with its unknowns. Lois suggests a new approach to the future as... read more
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Christmas Around the World, By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I thought it would be fun to see how Christmas is celebrated around the world. Enjoy and remember - these are cultures foreign to us and our "ways of doin' things." In Russia and the Ukraine, Christmas is celebrated on January 7th. Special prayers are said and some people fast - up to 39 days. The fasting ends on January 6th (Christmas Eve) when the first... read more
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The true meaning of Christmas, By Lois Wilson
Once again Senior Scribe Poet Laureate Lois Wilson is on top of the season with her insightful look at the important events of the day. In this case, it’s Santa Claus… or more accurately, the Christmas Season! Lois provides the solution to no chimneys for Santa, then offers insight into the true meaning of Christmas. Wilson's completed set has a new edition – now six volumes... read more
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Conrad's Great Guest, By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I know this song from my childhood. Only Grandpa Jones could do this song justice. For those of you who are wondering what you are going to do for Christmas since you can't afford your "usual flair"... consider the following. It happened one day near December's end… Two neighbors called on an old time friend. And they found his shop so meager and... read more
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Senior version of Jesus Loves Me, From a CNO Reader
While watching a little TV on Sunday instead of going to church, I watched a church in Atlanta honoring one of its senior pastors who had been retired many years. He was 92 at that time and I wondered why the church even bothered to ask the old gentleman to preach at that age. After a warm welcome, introduction of this speaker, and as the applause quieted down... read more
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Darke County Senior Scribe… The true reality shows, By Lois Wilson
Once again Senior Scribe Poet Laureate Lois Wilson is on top of the season with her insightful look at the important events of the day. In this case, it’s football! Playoffs are coming! Bowl games are coming! So who will play on New Year’s Day? For the National Championship? In – the – Superbowl? We wait with baited breath. Wilson's completed set has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1... read more
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Love and Loss, By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! Ok - so it might just be me...but I've had a few phone calls and other conversations. The feelings are all the same...fear-driven and loss driven. I've heard and read that the Dakota Pipeline got a "stay of execution"  as it were...from the Obama Administration. Hooray. Then I read that President-Elect Donald Trump owns stock in the company doing the pipeline... read more
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Darke County Senior Scribe’s sixth book now available, By Lois Wilson
First book out of print; books 2-6 package available - Give a gift and you give again to the Darke County Scholarship Fund which helps some of our county’s youth planning to attend college. I’ll tell you how later. I began writing verse in grade school. Poetry fascinated me. I had things I wanted to say and doing it in rhyme was fun and challenging. I put my... read more
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Darke County Senior Scribe… Mend with strong reason, By Lois Wilson
Once again Senior Scribe Poet Laureate Lois Wilson is on top of the season with her insightful look at the important events of the day. In this case, she wraps up the season: the political season. The election is over; it’s time to “mend with strong reason.” Wilson's completed set has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of... read more
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Comes the Dawn, By Mona Lease
Hi, all!!  The following is a collection of prose, writings, and thoughts. Enjoy!! Life is Too Short: Grudges are a waste of perfect happiness. Laugh when you can, apologize when you should, and let go of what you can't change. Love deeply and forgive quickly. Take chances. Give everything and have no regrets. Life is too short to be unhappy. You have to take... read more
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Black Friday, By Lois Wilson
Once again Senior Scribe Poet Laureate Lois Wilson is on top of the season with her insightful look at the important events of the day. What comes after Thanksgiving… or in some cases interferes with Thanksgiving? Why it’s Black Friday of course! And the very next day, it’s Small Business Saturday. The word of the day is BUY! This can easily be translated into... read more
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Talent Scout Practice, By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! The following is true - I promise. When I actually saw all of this transpire, I thought it was crazy. I thought he was crazy. But now - I'm not so sure. I played in the school band with the guy. He was good - very good actually....maybe "too" good. He was good-looking. He was personable. He was every girl's walking, breathing dream. And he was... read more
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Be Thankful this Thanksgiving, By Lois Wilson
Once again Senior Scribe Poet Laureate Lois Wilson is on top of the season with her insightful look at the important events of the day. This time it’s Thanksgiving. And Lois’ focus or course? Our national bird (at Thanksgiving)… the turkey! There seemed to be some confusion at the White House, though. There was a “pardon” and the lucky turkey returned home to tell the... read more
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Darke County Senior Scribe… Puzzle – Ohio Tour: A to Z © 2015 Lois E. Wilson
Want to travel? Challenge your memory, run the alphabet, and take a tour of Ohio A to Z without leaving your chair. How many of these towns have you visited or remember hearing about? Starting letters are given; dashes indicate letters. Use the clues in the left column to determine the names of the towns. Wilson's completed set - five volumes - of published poetry... read more
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Of Doubt and Debt, By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I think I've heard all sides of this conundrum...the Presidential Election for 2017. "Trump is President-Elect and the price of gas is down to $1.99 (Really. He's not in office yet!). Donald Trump said he'd take $1.00 - one dollar a year - for being President. (He said nothing about his retirement salary per year.). I've heard people say our economy will fall if Trump... read more
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Veteran’s Day, By Lois Wilson
Once again Senior Scribe Poet Laureate Lois Wilson is on top of the season with her insightful look at the important events of the day. This time Wilson honors our veterans. “This day we honor those who served,” she says. “We laud the brave who kept us free.” Take a few moments to give veterans their due. Wilson's completed set - five volumes - of published poetry is... read more
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Veteran's Day!! By Mona Lease
Hi, all! Well readers - again, it's that time of year. I take this time - Veteran's Day - to say: "Thanks to all of our past Vets who've served. Thanks to all of our current-serving military personnel - stateside and abroad. Thanks to the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. We can't do this thing we call life without all of you. And I could not write these columns... read more
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Darke County Senior Scribe… Word Chain Puzzle, © 2014 Lois E. Wilson
Try this word chain puzzle to challenge your brain. Puzzles test your long and short-term memory and help improve vocabulary. Use the numbered clues to find the answers. Each dash stands for a letter. The last three letters of an answer word are also the first three letters of the next word. The puzzle is started for you. Work up and down. Wilson's completed set - five volumes - of published poetry is available... read more
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Church or Bar? By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I was speaking with a new girlfriend the other day. We got on the subject of churches and bars. We wondered about those who frequent those places. And another woman wanted to see this in print. Again, I thought I'd write it. The people in bars tend to look upon the church-goers as "too churchy." They believe that there's too much judgement - too much... read more
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Darke County Senior Scribe… Due Date? By Lois Wilson
Once again Senior Scribe Poet Laureate Lois Wilson is on top of the season with her insightful look at the important events of the day. Once again it’s politics. Once again it’s a gestation that’s been 30 years in the making. Wilson offers her take on the possible culmination of the candidate’s long planned plans… with a great hurrah? Or fears? With only a few days to go to Election Day, the voters will decide. Oh well... read more
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My Opinion, By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! Deplorable...a basket of deplorables." I've heard that phrase and seen signs hanging in peoples' windows saying: "Deplorable and proud of it." Deplorable is defined as: "deserving strong condemnation, shockingly bad in quality, lamentable, or woeful." Hillary is right. She said Trump followers are deplorable - actually I think we all might fit in that basket - including... read more
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Word Chain Puzzle: Halloween, Lois E. Wilson
To keep your brain active, puzzle solving is a good activity. Word puzzles challenge your long and short term memory. Try this word chain puzzle. Use the numbered clues to find the 4-letter word answers. The last letter of each is the first letter of the next  word.  Work up and down. The puzzle is started for you. Solved correctly, reading down, the first letters... read more
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Paranoia, By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I had another reader-request for the following. I thought I'd submit it for you readers to think on and if nothing else - a good laugh. Regarding our Presidential Election: If Hillary becomes president and there will be no more guns, I ask: "Really?? Think back to Prohibition and no more alcohol. People who had the money still bought alcohol. Whoever got... read more
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To Gun or Not to Gun?? By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! Another reader had a couple of questions regarding guns... being allowed or not being allowed to own one and such. I found the whole idea of guns, owners' rights, our constitutional guarantee, etc highly interesting. I submit the following for you readers to consider and digest. Ya'll are responsible for toothpicks! Lt Col Ret David Grossman wrote a book... read more
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A Reader Asks, By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I had a request for this column. I  thought ok - I'll research it. It can't be any worse than our current Hillary/Trump situation - can it?? The question is: "Do the Ten Commandments have any relevance in today's society?" In the Old Testament (King James Version), Exodus 20:2 says: "I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the... read more
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Darke County Senior Scribe… Fall, By Lois Wilson
Once again Senior Scribe Poet Laureate Lois Wilson is on top of the season with her insightful look at the important events of the day. Once again it’s the change of seasons. Lois offers three pieces… The Farmer’s Top Tool (want to guess what it is?), The Land Awaits (for what?) and Spruce-Up Time (as Mother Nature prepares us for…) Enjoy. Wilson's completed set... read more
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A Homeless Woman's Sign (?), By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I was leaving McDonald's last Sunday. A woman - maybe 60ish - was at the exit at the edge of the sidewalk. She was holding a sign. The sign read: "Homeless. Will work for food or money." She looked at me as I read her sign. I looked the other way. The thoughts going through my mind will surprise you as much as they surprised me. How did a woman... read more
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Homeward?? By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! OK - so I thought about this column for days. Do I print it? Do I dare? Have I considered all of the implications? Is it more than a "calculated risk?" I believe it's worth the risk. I rarely use this column for situations such as this - but the implications are far-reaching. A young woman I know graduated from high-school a couple of years ago, now. It did not... read more
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Darke County Senior Scribe… Fund Raiser Faux Pas, By Lois Wilson
Once again Senior Scribe Poet Laureate Lois Wilson is on top of the season with her insightful look at the important events of the day. Once again it’s politics. Once again it’s a Hillary “Faux Pas.” Wilson offers her take on the candidate’s latest Oops… The media loved it and played with it. But the pundits were quick to say, “Go after the candidates, not their supporters.” Oh well. Wilson's completed set - five volumes... read more
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Circles, By Mona Lease
Hi, all!!   I'm done - I'm leaving this place. I'm going to that new land where you can do what you want - when you want - and with whom you want. I have the right to speak my mind. I have the right to pray or not pray. How I spend my money is my business. The government can't tell me which church I can attend. Just because I look different is not a reason to... read more
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I couldn’t resist, By Lois Wilson
Once again Senior Scribe Poet Laureate Lois Wilson is on top of the season with her insightful look at the important events of the day. This time it’s… take a wild guess… the shenanigans of presidential politics. Lois said she couldn’t resist. We certainly understand. And we can’t resist publishing the comment she couldn’t resist writing! Wilson's completed set - five... read more
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The Sparrow and the Cannabis, By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I'd like to take this time to say "I'm sorry" - to my editors. I know you'd like my column to be submitted earlier in the week. And all the "good stuff" happens around Wednesday - or later. That being said - Medical Marijuana is legal in Ohio as of Wednesday September 8, 2016. Here's the deal - you knew there'd be a "deal" - right?? It is not allowed to be smoked... read more
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Glad I am old, By Sharon Hopper
I have been thinking about a lot of things this past year. I found out that my husband had (as the doctor put it) serious heart failure and for some time after the stent was inserted he was just a shadow of himself. Then he decided that there was work that had to be done like grass mowing and gardening and he said that it would strengthen his heart. So... read more
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Labor Day! By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! It's that time of year - the unofficial end. The unofficial end of summer - of the boating season. The unofficial end of lazy days with no teachers - no homework and no "those of us" who seemingly continually ask if the homework  is done...is there homework?? I've been listening to those who wonder about friends - about how close friends should be to each other. I submit the following for you readers... read more
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Our Carpet, By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I was speaking with a girlfriend the other day. I got on one of my "soap-box" talks. She said I needed to write it as a column. So - for your consideration - I submit the following. We, here in the US, have got ourselves a huge hump in the middle of our carpet - figuratively speaking. We all know it's there. We can no longer ignore it. It has gotten so tall that we can no longer set a table on the top of it... read more
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Actions and Words, By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! Lupe Valdez moves into a small community, bringing her two kiddies with her. They live beside Andy and Helen who have no kiddies. Lupe is not married and has no boyfriend. Andy and Helen are married. It looks like Helen is "keeping outside company" when Andy goes to work. No one questions Helen about this. It's not long before Andy is slipping over to Lupe's house in the dead of night... read more
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Basketball, golf and, of course, the high jump, By Lois Wilson
Once again Senior Scribe Poet Laureate Lois Wilson is on top of the season with her insightful look at the important events of the day. This time it’s sports. Wilson offers four poems, each addressing a sport of a different flavor. They’re in honor of the Olympics… or basketball…  or golf. Take your pick, but enjoy all four. Wilson's completed set - five volumes - of... read more
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Honor, By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I had another request from a reader. This comes from the column dated 7/30/2016 - "I Have Questions." It seems I'm not the only one with questions. Honor is defined as: high respect; esteem. Mirriam-Webster defines  honor as: homage, reverence, deference. It means respect and honor shown to another. Honor may also apply to the recognition of one's right to great respect or to any expression... read more
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"Bad Guys" By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! A reader asked me to expand on a point from last week's column...the one about Donald Trump saying he wanted to put Christianity back in the Government...back "on the map" (as it were)...give Christianity it's "rightful, deserved" voice. The point in question here is: I have spoken to dozens of people and no one can tell me that they have seen God - Himself - anywhere..not a sports game... read more
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I Have Questions, By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! OK - so I've been watching - when someone's tv is on - about Donald Trump. People post on Facebook about Donald Trump. I watched Donald Trump say how the Christian group was the least heard of - the least represented - in a "voter" capacity, I'm guessing. He spoke of putting Christianity back in America. (I did not realize it had left.) He alluded... read more
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My Hamel, By Bev Hughes
Attackers, linked to the Islamic State terror group, took hostages at a church in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, in France's northwest region, during morning Mass. Rev. Jacques Hamel, 85, was killed. This latest terrorist attack elicited the following from County News Online reader Bev Hughes…  My Hamel. He awoke to a light meal. Another chance to serve the morning Mass... read more
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All The King's Horses, By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! It has come to my attention that there are those who believe that I accept what people write and submit it for my column...which is not true. Through my conversations with people, I get ideas for "themes" for the column but, I do not accept nor print written submissions. I've been twisting this column around in my head for a while now. Are we responsible for... read more
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Darke County Senior Scribe… It’s the season for… politickin’ By Lois Wilson
Once again Senior Scribe Poet Laureate Lois Wilson is on top of the season with her insightful look at the important events of the day. This time it’s politickin’. Wilson offers three poems, each addressing a different look at the upcoming election season… well… phase three of the upcoming election season. No predictions; simply a reminder about Control Speak, the desire to be Caught in the Current... read more
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A Story of Mine, By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I've always strived to make this column a place of truth - a place of helps. So - I'll tell you readers another true story. I had an out-patient procedure performed recently at Upper Valley Medical Center - nothing extremely serious. I was "put-under" so I'd not move. When you drive into Upper Valley, your first view is of green rolling hills and probably at least 150 huge trees - all well-manicured... read more
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Hard Questions, By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! As I write this, it's July 4th - Independence Day. But what do those words really mean? Surely I know they mean independence from England - from when England thought they could tax the bejesus out of us for the tea we desired. Our collective response to that was The Boston Tea Party. But, how independent are we - really? Here's why I wonder and ask: I attended a graveside service recently... read more
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Darke County Senior Scribe… Summer Travel, By Lois Wilson
Once again Senior Scribe Poet Laureate Lois Wilson is on top of the season with her insightful look at the important events of the day. This time it’s summer traveling. Wilson offers four poems, each addressing a different look at the challenges and wonders of summer travel… most of which we can all identify. Take a look! See which one (or more) brings back your own memories... read more
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Bread and Wars… By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! So I bet you readers thought I had forgotten Memorial Day and might be apt to forget the 4th of July, too. No - I remembered. There's been so much happening and little time or space to write about it all. I figured I'd just tell you a truthful story. When I was really young - maybe 4 or so - my Mom, her Mom, and I would go to a couple of cemeteries for "Decoration Day." I wrote it that way for a reason... read more
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I Can't Get No... By Mona Lease
Satisfaction. Hi, all!! Forty degrees outside and I hear it's too cold. Where's spring? I wish it would get warm. 85 degrees outside and I hear it's too hot. Where's the rain? The poor farmers need rain. It rains two days in a row and I hear it's too much rain. The poor farmers won't be able to get in the fields. A week with no sunshine and I hear we need the sun. The poor farmers will have crops rotting in the fields... read more
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Good-Byes, By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I attended a Celebration of Life. I've never been to one. So I submit the following to you because I thought it was unique - you could feel the love in the air...and people were actually saying they could feel it. "If I speak in all the languages known to man and the angels, but do not have love, I am like a sounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I can know the future, know all mysteries... read more
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Darke County Senior Scribe… Flag Day, By Lois Wilson
Once again Senior Scribe Poet Laureate Lois Wilson is on top of the season with her insightful look at the important events of the day. This time it’s Flag Day. “On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress adopted the first official national flag,” she says. “Both only children, my husband and I met at a square dance at the Dayton YMCA. We were married on June 14... read more
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A Dreamer's Dream? By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I was wondering the other day - how can we - as a people... have so many problems?? National problems...sexual problems...mental problems...health problems...child problems...drug problems.....insurance problems...financial problems...it seems endless. But, I don't understand why. We are the most "open" - as a people - in how many generations? Women wanted their "rights"... read more
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Darke County Senior Scribe… Politics as usual, By Lois Wilson
Once again Senior Scribe Poet Laureate Lois Wilson offers her insightful look at the important events of the day. This time it’s politics… well… one particular aspect of politics. There seems to be a revolution bringing in new faces, new approaches – even an historic first woman to be on a major ticket run for the White House…  but we just can’t seem to get away... read more
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Stray Thoughts?? By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! The following started out when I saw a commercial - as it were - on the internet. It showed a somewhat scruffy looking guy wearing a thong-style, one-piece, women's swimsuit. The caption under it read: "Would you want your daughter in a public restroom with this?"  This was posted by those who do not want men in drag, in the women's restroom. OK - So... read more
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"Earlin' It" By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! You faithful readers (thanks, much!!) know my mind is like a train - always picking up new ideas. Some of these I apply to my life - some I keep for laughs - some... are not so many laughs. I view Netflix. You need internet service for this. And you have to pay Netflix separately. You fill out a profile - name, material you like to view....documentary...sci-fi...comedy, etc... read more
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Wow!!! By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! The following was on Facebook. It was posted by "Thinking Humanity" originally, and reposted be another party. A six year old girl was filmed giving the following speech to her newly divorced Mother. This is a short column - very short as - there is nothing else I could add....or would add. Mom - are you ready to be his friend? (Mom answers yes.). Try not to be that... read more
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Wake-up Call/Warning?? By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I was speaking with a young girl the other day. It seems that yet another guy got what he wanted from her and is now "busy" - too "busy" to come to see her. She has been on this course for a number of years. She has kiddies. I insert my question here: "Did the guy think she was searching for "Daddy material" and leave?" He has his own kiddies and yep, you guessed it - divorced. Now she thinks... read more
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Darke County Senior Scribe… Springs brings graduation... a sense of fulfillment, By Lois Wilson
Once again Senior Scribe Poet Laureate Lois Wilson is on top of the season with her insightful look at the important events of the day. This time it’s graduation. Wilson offers three poems, each addressing a different look at the annual graduation from educational endeavors. Check them out… Degrees of Dryness, Commencement and Fulfillment. Wilson's completed set - five volumes - of published poetry... read more
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Remember When… Gold Mine! By Kim Smith
In spite of the fact that we had no television or electronics, my brother and I were NEVER bored. We never laid around the house whining , “Oh, boo-hoo, there’s nothing to do!” In fact, there weren’t enough hours in the day to accomplish all of our self-created projects! One sunny day, we came up with a new idea. We went outside, grabbed two shovels, and began to dig down into a spot... read more


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