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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
"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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
"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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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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