Dale’s Column

Keeping the Parts

My sister, Lora, was absolutely right. When her mother-in-law, Oma, died this past July, she said, “It was like losing a library…” That’s a perfect way to put it. Having lived through almost all of the twentieth century, Oma had…

Gramma’s Green Acre

Hannah DeCaster could have been the poster child for ‘country girl living in town.’ Her farm background was evident throughout her home and yard. She had fruit trees, a huge garden, and a wide array of flowers. In her basement…

A flock-alypse Now?

It’s been called a portent, a sign, and even “aflockalypse.”  2011 started with dead birds mysteriously falling from the sky, not just in one area, but literally all over the world. Thousands of birds have been falling from the sky…

Pray to God … But Row Toward Shore

John Shimkus, Republican representative from Illinois, proclaimed recently, during a congressional hearing, that there is no need to worry about global warming because of a promise God made to Noah. With God protecting us from the awful consequences of climate…

Take an Inch … Give Back a Mile

Thanksgiving, I’m afraid, has too often had a lot more to do with satiation than with appreciation. As kids we would gorge on Mom’s fruit salad. The turkey and potatoes just finished the job of stuffing ourselves. The resulting discomfort…