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Along Life’s Way… Declarations of Dependence, By Lois E. Wilson With all the “free stuff” and enticements politicians are dangling before the 2020 voters, I thought a “Declaration of Dependence” might be challenging to write. However, I discovered two of them had already been written—both in 1776. The second one was signed in November of that year by a group of 547 New York Loyalists. The signers consisted of merchants, yeomen, freed slaves... read more Puzzle Pete Says “OW” A to Z, By Lois E. Wilson Use the clues in the left column to solve the answer words. They are in alphabetical order with “OW” placed where occurring in each word. Each dash stands for a letter. Too many OW’s? Pete hopes none really hurt. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print and no longer available, however Volumes 2-6 are available and are... read more Mind, Body, Soul… A Sheriff and Two Elder Women, By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! So - I wake up last Wednesday to a computer voice...male...telling me that he is Detective So-and-So from the US Government Social Security and that they have suspended my Social Security number. Did ya'll hear me laughing?? I'm supposed to call "him" back at 404-???-????. Now, I know two things: (1)The Social Security phone number is 1-800-772-1213. (2)The only... read more Along Life’s Way… Now Hear This, By Lois E. Wilson In 2010, I wrote these lines: You have met someone who chatters, Without taking a pause or breath. Just telling of endless matters, Till each topic is talked to death. At that time I was describing the person who unwittingly monopolizes conversations to the extent that others are unable to say a word. Since then I have discovered what I call the “solo syndrome.” Because of it, certain... read more McLinder and "Auntie B", By Mona Lease Hi, all!!! Before I sat down to write this column, I had a conversation with "Auntie B." We strolled down Memory Lane and enjoyed reliving a few "old times." I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome "Auntie B" aboard this humble little column. This is a place to exchange new ideas - try them on for size. It's a place to say, "Yep - I've been in this or that situation and made it through it. It's good to know I'm... read more Puzzle Pete’s Reminder, Lois E. Wilson Use the numbered clues to find the 4-letter answers to this word chain puzzle. The last letter of each is the first letter of the next word. Work up and down. The puzzle is started for you. Solve it correctly, then reading down, the first letters of the answers spell out why Pete is alerting all. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print... read more Mind, Body, Soul… Of Health and Such, By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! I've probably touched on this subject previously. But, school has been in session since August 5th - or thereabout in Indiana. School will be starting in Greenville (Ohio) maybe the 26th of this month. I did not check "for sure." The relevance here is closer contact with other people for longer periods of time...which spreads the nasty germs. Keep reaching...Keep stretching... read more Along Life’s Way… Catfish Online, By Lois E. Wilson In the world of social networking and online dating, a “catfish” is a person who creates a false identity. It is an act of deceit. If you watch “Catfish: The TV Show,” you will see various victims of the deceptions. The catfish perpetrators are male or female, or one sex posing as the other. Their victims can be from pre-teens to senior citizens. The catfish may have started their deceptions... read more Nonconformity, By Mona Lease Hi, all!!! This column expands on the Mind,Body,Soul Column of 8/14/2019 - "Through the Years."  I've heard these people exist. I've read about such people. I'm to understand that these people can not and will not be swayed from their set of beliefs...not for notoriety...not for fashion...not to be part of the "in" crowd...not for any one or any thing - ever. I went to a friend's funeral for her husband. They had... read more Puzzle Pete’s Fall Event, Lois E. Wilson Use the numbered clues to find the 4-letter answers to this word chain puzzle. The last letter of each is the first letter of the next word. Work up and down. The puzzle is started for you. Solve it correctly, then reading down, the first letters of the answers spell out Pete’s favorite place to go each fall. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is... read more Mind, Body, Soul… Through the Years, By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! I recently attended a viewing/funeral. I've known this woman for some 18 years. She lost her husband of 55 years. Think about this a minute.......55 years. That means they were married in 1964. They were both born in the mid 1940s. World War 2 ended in 1945. This also means they were born at the end of a world war and were raised during the USA's "economic turnaround" - as... read more Along Life’s Way… Hinges and Unhinged, By Lois E. Wilson Recently, there have been a lot of references to people being “unhinged.” The term has been used in book and music album titles. This fascinated me. I began researching to see when “unhinged” began meaning “crazy” or “mentally unbalanced.” It was not in my slang dictionary published in 1986. The King James Version of the Bible was published in 1611. A concordance cites two... read more I Thought and I Looked, By Mona Lease Hi, all!!! I wondered about what to write. There's news everywhere. And none of it is what I would call "good." "Trump comes to El Paso to console, El Paso says no thanks," "Dayton Mayor "confused" by Trump's tweet." "With every tragedy, another strong campaign." "ICE arrests 680 undocumented immigrants along the Mississippi." "Raids took place on the 1st day of school, causing chaos... read more Puzzle Pete and the N’s, First and Last, Lois E. Wilson Pete says use the clues to solve the puzzle. Each answer word begins and ends with the letter “N.” They have been placed in the puzzle for you. Each dash stands for s missing letter. Solve it and Pete says that it will be “N-tertaining.” Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print and no longer available, however Volumes 2-6 are... read more Mind, Body, Soul… Do-Huh?!! By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! In parts of the south - and southern Kentucky that I personally know - there's a saying. When something is so incredibly mind-boggling...so unbelievable - they say, "Do-Huh?" It's a cross between "do what or say what" and "huh?"  Keep reaching - Keep stretching. We've made it this far!! Oregon District May 1815, Daniel Cooper, proprietor of Dayton (Ohio), laid out the... read more Along Life’s Way… You Can’t Go Home Again; However… By Lois E. Wilson The phrase: “You can’t go home again” was originally written by journalist, Ella Winter. Thomas Wolfe received permission from her to use it as title for one of his novels. The saying made me remember many places, people, and events of my past. This trip through nostalgia helped put the past in perspective. In Dayton, the house I grew up in has been occupied by others... read more A Deaconess and Two Women, By Mona Lease Hi, all!!! WARNING: The following is pretty hard-hitting...and it is the truth. I mulled this all over before I submitted it. Remember the teeter-totter (see-saw) at school? It was a plank of hard wood...maybe 2" thick...8" wide...and 14' long. It set over an iron bar (bolted in place but allowed the stress of weight on each end) that was cemented into the ground. There were handles at each end (bolted into... read more Puzzle Pete Offers Two for Tea: A to Z, Lois E. Wilson Pete says to use the clues to determine the answer words. Their starting letters and double “T’s” are given where they appear in the within the word.  Each dash stands for a missing letter. Pete hopes the puzzle fits you to a “T.” Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print and no longer available, however Volumes 2-6... read more Mind, Body, Soul… The Laundress! By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! For you lovers of the materials that need "special care"...this column is for you! Keep reaching....Keep stretching. It's all before you!! 20 Ways You're Ruining Your Clothes Without Realizing It - BESTLIFE - Morgan Greenwald The average American spends approximately $1,803 a year on apparel and related services. The average American throws out 81 pounds of... read more Along Life’s Way… Is History—History? A Fable, Lois E. Wilson The Editorial Board of the publication, “History Goes Forward” believes the past informs and inspires the present; history can change the destination of the next generation. It met to select and honor people from the past that had influenced the future of the country in a positive manner. They always nominated two individuals for each of the categories: Arts, Education, Science, Military... read more You'd Never Know It, By Mona Lease Hi, all!!! You'd never know it to look at us. We're seemingly as different as night and day. She wears long dresses all of the time. Me? I'll wear a dress. Just not all of the time. Our speech is the same. We wear our hair up...hers in a bun...mine in a clip. She always wears a little cap. I'll wear a hat occasionally. We both like to garden. Baked goodies from our own oven is a preference. We love the... read more Puzzle Pete Hits the Mark, Lois E. Wilson Use the numbered clues to find the 4-letter answers to this word chain puzzle. The last letter of each is the first letter of the next word. Work up and down. The puzzle is started for you. Solve it correctly, then reading down, the first letters of the answers spell out who Pete thinks always hit the target. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry... read more Mind, Body, Soul… Oh, Those Nasty Habits, By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! Keep reaching - Keep Stretching! Consider the following. 50 Unhealthiest Habits on the Planet - Michael Martin You're Not Laughing Enough: Life can be tough, but it's important to maintain a sense of humor. You're Self-Diagnosing on the Internet: This is a large gripe of many doctors who say you might be second-guessing yourself out of good care. You're Accepting... read more Along Life’s Way… More Tools, Please!! By Lois E. Wilson Today there was a battle between me and the top of a can full of fruit. The can looked innocent enough. On its top, it had a metal pull loop. The loop was tight against the can’s surface. I took my usual lever type can opener to pry it up a little so that I could get my lid pry-tool under the loop. The loop broke free of the top. Next, I put the can under my electric can opener. The lid was seated too... read more The "Cliff", By Mona Lease Hi, all!!! Have you ever watched the old cartoons where a character ends up on the "edge" of a cliff? He stands at the edge of the cliff, his toes hanging over the edge gripping the outside edge, and his arms are windmilling to keep his balance? Or have you watched the scene where the cartoon character walks as far from the edge as he can get? Remember these - they are important. The above are examples of a... read more Puzzle Pete’s “IN” Crowd—A to Z, Lois E. Wilson Use the clues in the left column to solve the 6- letter answer words. They are in alphabetical order with “in” placed where occurring in each word. Two of the answer words have two “in’s.” Each dash stands for a letter. Done? Pete hopes you’re not all-in. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print and no longer available, however... read more Mind, Body, Soul… In the Understanding, By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!!  WARNING: Some of the following might seem harsh or unrealistic. Give it a chance and let all of the possibilities run through your mind. I made my way to an Old Order German Baptist Meeting House. I had been past it many times. This time...for some reason...I decided to enter the grounds. It sets in the country. I drove in and went around the building. There are lots of trees and... read more Along Life’s Way… Free Stuff? Wow! By Lois E. Wilson If one listens to many of the 2020 presidential candidates, they all seem to be trying to outdo each other by offering free stuff to U.S. voters. They promise such things as free college, a guaranteed base salary, government healthcare for all, no deportation of illegal immigrants, free entry and healthcare for them. The cost of these promises is never addressed. One wonders what will be their... read more Forgot/Forget? By Mona Lease Hi, all!!! Since life is so very busy and everyone is in a mad rush to get somewhere or get something done - I'm submitting the following for you readers to consider. I was riding with my gal-pal the other day. We were discussing one of my recent columns. We got to talking about the past and how it shapes our future. She got quiet and almost ran a stop sign. There were no other cars at the intersection... read more Puzzle Pete Says It’s OK, First and Last, Lois E. Wilson This puzzle has two parts. Part I has words that begin and end with the letter “O.” The words in Part II begin and end with the letter “K.” They have been placed in the answers for you. Each dash stands for a missing letter. Solve it and Pete says you’ll end up at the OK corral. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print and... read more Mind, Body, Soul… Time Out For You! By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! Thanks for your comments to me about how you enjoy my columns - how they are put together and you wish to see them continue. When I first started writing - I wanted my columns to be worth your time to read. I wanted you to find something you can use... or something you could use to help someone else.  If nothing else...you could find a chuckle and know we are all working... read more Along Life’s Way… Life Choices, By Lois E. Wilson As we proceed through our lives, in most situations we encounter a range of choices from bad to good. We usually have control over making these choices, and each choice is likely to have a consequence. The groups that favor elective abortions call themselves “pro-choice” advocates. I am strongly in favor of pro-choice too, but my choices are different. Some ranges to consider... read more A Book and a Phone Call, By Mona Lease Hi, all!!! I received a phone call from a gal who is going through a nasty breakup. Through the conversation, she tells me that she is mad, hurt, confused, sad, has panic attacks, and such. Then she tells me she went looking for some weed - that is... marijuana. And it can't be found. All there is to be had is meth (methamphetamine) and heroin. That in itself has her up-in-arms. I am not surprised by there only being... read more Puzzle Pete and July 4th, By Lois E. Wilson Use the numbered clues to find the 4-letter answers to this word chain puzzle. The last letter of each is the first letter of the next word. Work up and down. The puzzle is started for you. Solve it correctly, then reading down, the first letters of the answers spell out Pete’s reaction to the July 4th celebration. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published... read more Mind, Body, Soul… 30/30 and the Heat, By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! With the weather so hot, remember: If you are dieting and your scales do not show it - it's ok. You've lost weight. However, in the hot, muggy weather, your body will hold on to all of the water it can to keep itself hydrated and protected. Now is a good time to up your water intake and nix the sugary drinks. If you go for walks for exercise - try to do it early in the morning when... read more Along Life’s Way… Is It Gold or Guise? By Lois E. Wilson When buying something, meeting someone for the first time, deciding on friendship, or choosing a life partner, caution is always recommended. One is asked, “Have you seen what you are getting?” That warning might have been sufficient in the past; however today it is hard to heed. For example when assessing celebrities, my 2008 verse “The Star Show” examines some... read more Just Some Thoughts, By Mona Lease Hi, all!!! Before I start this column, I can whine and bemoan just about everything. And to you out there who have listened to me - I'm sorry and thanks for listening...some times repeatedly. Usually I reach a point where I get tired of listening to myself whine. Now - on with the column. There are a lot of people who have spoken with me about depression and such. They do not know each other as far as I know... read more Puzzle Pete’s Double Alphabet Scramble, Lois E. Wilson Pete says don’t let your mind get scrambled by this puzzle. Complete the 5-letter words using the clues. The third letter of each is given. Each answer begins with a different letter of the alphabet. Do those you know for certain first. Cross off each starting letter as it is used. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print and no longer... read more Mind, Body Soul… Oh, That Mouth! By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! I submit the following to you for your consideration. With all of the rain we've had, I looked to see if I had webs between my toes. Nope - not yet. My only comment for the following is: These comments are geared to spouses. Some of this I don't want to hear from anyone - friend or foe. Keep reaching...Keep stretching!! 60 Things No Spouse Ever Wants to Hear - Best Life - Julia... read more Along Life’s Way… Being a Learner, By Lois E. Wilson In Proverbs 4, A father states to his sons: “I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching… Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding… Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.” (TNIV) Learning is a process of discovery from daily situations, associations, study, and experience. Through it we amass a body of knowledge. We gain... read more Rain and Rain Barrels, By Mona Lease Hi, all!!! The weather has been unreal! Rain - Tornados - Rain - Thunderstorms - Rain. I thought I'd submit the following  - for laughs. Then I remembered my maternal Grandmother said she used to wash her hair with rainwater when she was young. She said people caught the rain in rain barrels. Hey, hey, oh playmate. Come out and play with me. And bring your dollies three. Climb up my apple tree. Slide... read more Puzzle Pete Asks, “Is it E-asy?” Lois E. Wilson Pete says use the clues to solve the puzzle. Each answer word begins and ends with the letter “E.” They have been placed in the puzzle for you. Each dash stands for s missing letter. Solve it and Pete hopes that it will be “E-vocative.” Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print and no longer available, however Volumes 2-6... read more Mind, Body, Soul… Getting "In Sync", By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! Guys - be advised: This is a column geared to women. We'll be looking at ourselves - who we really are - how we are put together and such. I don't care if you read this. This column delves a little deeper than most. A lot of you gals may not enjoy your menses - that is...the period. But, if you get in the rhythm of this - it will go much more smoothly on the whole.  Remember... read more Along Life’s Way… Gone Fishin’, By Lois E. Wilson The song Gone Fishin’ (lyrics by Charles and Nick Kenny) has been recorded by several artists.    An excerpt from it is: Gone fishin’ by a shady wady pool; I’m wishin’ I could be that kind of fool. I’d say no more work for mine. On my door I’d hang a sign: Gone fishin’ instead of just a wishin’. A 1987 article by Jack Kulpa in “Field and Stream” magazine states: “When I was a small boy... read more I Am Appalled!! By Mona Lease Hi, all!!! For you readers that are faint-of-heart...or believe that the social media sites...in this case, Facebook...are friendly, well-monitored sites...read no further. As Joe Friday used to say, "Just the facts, ma'am." And here they are. Ohio Code 2919.24 A. Terms Used Child: Includes a child by adoption. Person: Includes an individual, corporation, business trust, estate trust, partnership... read more Puzzle Pete’s June Honoree, By Lois E. Wilson Use the numbered clues to find the 4-letter answers. The last letter of each is the first letter of the next answer. The puzzle is started for you. Solved correctly then reading down, the first letters of the answers spell out why Puzzle Pete honors this person. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print and... read more Mind, Body, Soul… Bye Bye Fat!! By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! I'm submitting the following to you. Consider it - use it - or not. I've found that if you know you can do something - it takes a load off of your mind. You know it's possible. And "possible" gives hope. Keep reaching - Keep stretching! I gotta go, gals. I hear iced tea and the patio calling my name. 100 Ultimate Weight Loss Tips for Summer 2019. Best Life - Sarah Crow - 5/16/2019... read more Along Life’s Way… Aging: Benefits and Blessings, By Lois E. Wilson In 2007 it must have been a “down day” when I wrote these lines: First a crinkle, Then a wrinkle, Then lots and lots of creases. At an age There's a stage, One slowly goes to pieces: Earpieces, eyepieces, hairpieces… I’ve been fortunate to live a few years since then and have come to realize that aging does have some benefits. For example: When we say, “I can’t remember... read more Fame/Defame?? By Mona Lease Hi, all!!! Who killed Abraham Lincoln? Who killed John F. Kennedy? Who killed Lee Harvey Oswald? Who killed Sharon Tate? Who killed John Lennon? Who were the shooters at the 1999 Columbine High Massacre? Who was the shooter at Sandy Hook Elementary School 2012? Who was the shooter at Virginia Beach 2019? Who was the shooter at Virginia Tech with 33 dead? Who was the shooter at Noblesville... read more Puzzle Pete Says “O My! Unscramble It!” Lois E. Wilson Complete the 5-letter words ending in “O” by using the clues in the left column. Each answer word begins with a different letter of the alphabet. Cross off each letter as it is used. The answer for “X” is given, so cross it off. Hint: start with the ones you know for certain. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print... read more Mind, Body, Soul… One More Time? By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! I've spoken with a lot of Moms... and gals in general. Basements are continually flooding. Homes have been destroyed. One woman said her basement has been continually flooded with 6-8" of water for the last two weeks. Her furnace is toast. Her water heater is ruined. She'll have to get a new washer and dryer. Her pool table is unsalvageable. She's ran in circles... read more Along Life’s Way… Donkey Film Awards, By Lois E. Wilson Today many political figures see a camera and immediately rush toward it to get their views immortalized on TV or film. The time is probably not far off when there will be created award competitions for filmed appearances—much like the Oscars. Therefore, what might the “Donkey Award” for best film be like? A film is only eligible this year if it is submitted by the “Out of Power Side” also known... read more What's "Popular?" By Mona Lease Hi, all!!! I thought I'd share this with you readers.  I thought maybe it was me. Bottled teas...soft drinks...started being "gaggy" sweet. I thought maybe it was me...I'm no spring chicken pecking in the dirt anymore...as it were. But, maybe it's not me. Since warm weather is here (I actually watched the tornado go over my house on 5/29/'19) and a cold, frothy soda sounds good...consider the following... read more Mind, Body, Soul… For Those Guys, By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! We all have a guy in our life. Be it a son, a brother, a father, an uncle, a friend...we all have a guy in our life that we love. I submit the following for those guys ya'll love. Keep reaching...keep stretching!! Enjoy!! 10 Common Health Concerns For Men and How to Respond to Them - Woman's Day, Josephine Yucaba, 4/30/2019 Visit your doctor as soon as you suspect something might be wrong... read more Puzzle Pete Runs the “L’s” A to Z, © 2019 Lois E. Wilson Pete says complete the 6-letter words starting with the letter “L” by using the clues in the left column. The letters of the alphabet appear in sequence as the third letter of each answer word. Each dash stands for a letter. Solve it and you will “L-evate” your brain power. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print and no longer available... read more Until It's You, By Mona Lease Hi, all!!! I'm watching a situation unfold. Now - it's easy to say what you would do - until it's you. It's easy to say something needs to be done about this - until it's you. It's easy to say one needs to see a Dr - until it's you. It's easy to say one needs to try - until it's you. I've heard and read, "Death with dignity." No one can tell me what that means, exactly. Does this mean that there is to be no fighting... read more Along Life’s Way… It’s Not Fitting: A Fable, By Lois E. Wilson Dan was a dapper dresser with a closet full of suits, shirts, vests, and trousers of all styles and fabrics. There was only one tailor in the town, and he catered to Dan as he was his best customer. There, however, was a conflict in their relationship. Dan liked to eat. His voracious appetite caused problems with his wardrobe. He frequently returned to the tailor, bringing one of his... read more Mind, Body, Soul… Creatures of (Bad) Habit? By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! Well - don't just skip the exercise here. But...take another "think" here on what you actually do during the day. Some exercises are for professional body-builders. Most women find that toning up what they already have is sufficient. Summer weather is here...Enjoy!! 27 Common Anti-Aging Tips That You Should Forget Immediately - Alex Daniel, Quicker... read more Puzzle Pete and Reading, By Lois E. Wilson Pete likes to read. Use the numbered clues to find the 5-letter answers to this word chain puzzle. The last letter of each is the first letter of the next word. Work up and down. The puzzle is started for you. Solve it correctly, then reading down, the first letters of the answers spell out what Pete thinks about the subject. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry... read more The "Real" Deal? By Mona Lease Hi, all!!! The following are excerpts from a book I recently read entitled, "How to be Free"...written by a guy named "Joe Blow." He says he used "Joe Blow" because that moniker is usually used for someone not "all that important."  Joe Blow says he staggered through a large portion of his life dealing with depression, anxiety, troubling thoughts, and such. I think it's pretty profound and cuts... read more Along Life’s Way… Words and Actions, By Lois E. Wilson It has been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. This is true because a picture quickly reveals the scene to us in great detail evoking emotional and intellectual responses. We capture the information in one look. To describe the scene in words requires one to concentrate and bring the elements in the picture to mind. Our experience and vocabulary are limits from which... read more Mind, Body, Soul… Moms, By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! Anybody ever watch Forrest Gump? Remember the scene where he went with his would-be wife to her childhood home - now deserted? She had enough pent-up anger that she started picking up rocks and throwing them at the house. She ran out of rocks and sat down in desperation. This is where Forrest uttered the unforgettable, "Sometimes there just aren't enough rocks." The application... read more Puzzle Pete’s A’s—First and Last, Lois E. Wilson Pete says use the clues to solve the puzzle. Each answer word begins and ends with the letter “A.” They have been placed in the puzzle for you. Each dash stands for a missing letter. Solve it correctly and you receive all “A’s” on your report card. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print and no longer available, however... read more Along Life’s Way… I’ve Always Called Her “Mother”, By Lois E. Wilson One day recently when my sons called me “Mom,” I realized it was not a term I had ever called my mother. To me, she was always “Mother.” Perhaps because I was an only child and did not have siblings to introduce the word “mom” into our household, I did not use it. My mother called my grandmother, “Mother Groff” and my babysitter, “Mother Potts.” I didn’t believe “mother” to... read more What "Village?" By Mona Lease Hi, all!!! I heard a guy talking of his daughter's death. Of how her memory was slipping away and people didn't seem to understand how it hurt him. How her memory was all he had. How it had not even been a year since her untimely demise. He spoke of his son-in-law and granddaughter...who is 8  months old. He quoted Christy  - who said it took a village to raise a child (family). So sir, the following is for... read more Puzzle Pete’s Reminder for May 12th, © 2019 Lois E. Wilson Use the numbered clues to find the 4-letter answers to this word chain puzzle. The last letter of each is the first letter of the next word. Work up and down. The puzzle is started for you. Solve it correctly, then reading down, the first letters of the answers spell out Pete’s belief about May 12th. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print... read more Mind, Body, Soul… It's a First!! By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! Saturday May 4, 2019 saw the Kentucky Derby kick off the month of May. Never before in the history of the Kentucky Derby has "this" ever happened. What is "this?" Glad you asked. I'll tell you!! This year was the 145th running (trotting,,,pacing?) of the Kentucky Derby. AND, the first time in those 145 years, that a winner was "DQ'd" - disqualified. Yikes and well...wow... read more In the Justifying, By Mona Lease Hi, all!!! I've been hearing a lot lately about "justification." I've been hearing people say they are looking at "the big picture." But, I wonder. Does our "justifying" point to something else? Does it point to something within ourselves?? Does it point to some weakness we possess? Does it point to a need we might have to help other people "save face?" Does it point to a desire within ourselves...or maybe... read more Along Life’s Way… All-Knowing? By Lois W. Wilson I am very aware that I do not know it all. Every day when exercising my mind by working or constructing puzzles, I discover new places, subjects, words, and meanings that I didn’t know existed. Last year a 29-year-old, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, won election to the U. S. Congress. She is the youngest woman ever to serve there. The press refers to her as AOC. She uses... read more Mind, Body, Soul… To Nuke or No?? By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! Warmer weather is here!! Today is May 1st...or...May Day! Around the world are May Day celebrations replete with fine foods, fine music, games, and Nature, herself, awakening and bursting with deepening, vibrant colors. Some dance around a chosen tree to celebrate "fecundity"...new growth of crops and trees, abundance of offspring - animal and human, and fertility...of their community... read more Puzzle Pete and the L’s, First and Last, By Lois E. Wilson Pete says use the clues to solve the puzzle. Each answer word begins and ends with the letter “L.” They have been placed in the puzzle for you. Each dash stands for a missing letter. Solve it and your brain capacity will be “L-evated.” Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print and no longer available, however Volumes 2-6 are available... read more High Cotton in the City, By Mona Lease Hi, all!!! I'm sorry, readers. I forgot to submit a column for last week. I lost a cousin. He lost his battle with cancer. I've heard it said that we really learn by example from those around us. And usually by those close to our own age. My mind took me on a week-long trip through past years. There are a lot of old memories. Alabama had a song out called, "Song of the South." A line from that song, "Someone... read more Along Life’s Way… Less Is More, By Lois E. Wilson In the world of the arts, students being critiqued may be reminded of Robert Browning’s words: “Less is more.” The novices may question, “How can that be?” The students experiment and create prose, poetry, music, fashion, and other visual arts. One day some of them realize the concept of simplicity might be true or at least have merit. Others have commented on the subject: The... read more Mind, Body, Soul… Of the Monkey, By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! I've been listening to a lot of people say they are depressed lately. They're anxious. A couple of people have mentioned suicide on social media. So - I'm submitting the following for your consideration. I found it most interesting. The Drunk Monkey - Matthew Ferry - 4/19/2019 -- The Drunk Monkey in your head is holding people accountable to agreements... read more Puzzle Pete’s 5-Letter Words Ending in “A” By Lois E. Wilson Complete the A to Z five-letter words below using the clues from the left column. The answers all end in the letter “A.” Pete was surprised to find a five-letter word for each letter of the alphabet. Pete gives you an A+ if you do too. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print and no longer available, however Volume... read more Along Life’s Way… The Soul Hungers, By Lois E. Wilson Maybe you were a fortunate child whose parents believed in and had a close relationship with God. They read the Bible, openly prayed before meals and bedtime. They thanked Him for their blessings and saw that you were exposed to His word at an early age. They took you to Sunday school and church and involved you in its activities. You attended a confirmation class... read more Puzzle Pete: the Bunny’s Secret Is Out, By Lois E. Wilson Use the numbered clues to find the 5-letter answers to this word chain puzzle. The last letter of each is the first letter of the next word. The puzzle is started for you. Work up and down. Solved correctly, reading down, the first letters of the answers spell out the secret Pete reveals. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out... read more Mind, Body, Soul… I Like Beer! By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! The weather is actually not bad. The price of gas is bad...$2.49 a gallon for regular as I pen this. And it will rise...the summer season has not "officially" kicked off yet. The price of food is rising...along with everything else. For those of you who say, "I like beer"...this one's for you! How Much a Pint of Beer Will Cost You Around the World - Michele Debczak - 4/14/2019 - mentalfloss... read more If You Think It's Not There, By Mona Lease Hi, all!!! For you that are faint-of-heart...read no further. Be warned. The following is disturbing...but true. For those of you who think the "internet" is a safe place. For those of you who wonder if the "internet" is a safe place. The following is all  true. I promise. I wondered. I looked. It's disturbing. Very disturbing. If you think you want to make a bomb? It's there. Google "Make a bomb." I received... read more Along Life’s Way… Building Confidence, By Lois E. Wilson Philip B. Crosby states that in high school even though he barely made the team, he ran track. After joining the navy, at boot camp the chief selected him and announced that he would show everyone how to do the obstacle course. The chief assured him, “You will be great!”  On that day he set a course record. When asked what happened, Crosby responded, “The chief gave... read more Mind, Body, Soul… 50 and 13, By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! The weather is warmer now - and rainy. It's a good year for mushrooms. If you go "'shroomin'"...be sure you know what you're doing. Not all mushroom are edible. Keep reaching and stretching! A lot of us have been going through some troubling times. It will pass. It just doesn't look like it at the moment. 13 Amazing Things You Can Do With A Can Of Cooking Spray - Jillee - Bright Ideas... read more Puzzle Pete and H’s First and Last, By Lois E. Wilson Pete says use the clues to solve the puzzle. Each answer word begins and ends with the letter “H.” They have been placed in the puzzle for you. Each dash stands for s missing letter. Solve it and Pete says you’ve done Heavy Hitting.” Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print and no longer available, however Volumes 2-6 are available... read more Falsies and Falsities, By Mona Lease Hi, all!!! I'm giving you readers the following to ruminate on...to chew on...or otherwise consider. In the USA...and maybe  the world over...we're working under a delusion. We're operating daily under a false sense of security. I'll amend this . We - as a people - are operating under a false sense of security. For the faint of heart: Read no further. We have tanning salons. Multiplied billions across the US... read more Along Life’s Way… The Triple “T” Treatment: A Fantasy of Today, By Lois E. Wilson The phone rings. A female voice offers, “Hello! This is Angie. Do not hang up; this is not a sales call. We are taking a short survey; is the lady of the house there?” My inclination is to respond that there is no lady in my house, but I say, “This is she.” Angie continues, “I have just a few questions: First, are you suffering from Triple T syndrome?” Curious, I ask, “What is Triple T syndrome... read more Mind, Body, Soul… To E-Cig or No? By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! I'm submitting the following because I found it confirming and because nicotine is...well, nicotine. I have a few flowers poking their green leaves above the ground. Warm weather is on the way! Keep reaching! Keep stretching! Keep your dreams and goals before you! E-Cigarettes: What Vaping Does to Your Body - Can Nieremberg, Live Science Contributor; May 16, 2016... read more Puzzle Pete Runs the D’s, A to Z, By Lois E. Wilson Pete says to complete the words starting with “D” by using the clues in the left column.  The letters of the alphabet appear in sequence as the fourth letter of each word. Each dash stands for a letter. He hopes you find it “D-ductive.” Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print and no longer available, however Volumes 2-6 are available... read more Do Not Be Dismayed, By Mona Lease Hi, all!!! So - a girl I know - well I know her parents - overdosed not so long hence. The report is she was "Narcanned" 5 times. She's alive. But for those...however many minutes...from the time she was "unresponsive" ...until 911 was called...until help arrived...she was deceased. How did this happen? Why did this happen? Who got the drugs? Who brought the drugs? Who paid for the drugs? Why... read more Along Life’s Way… Parenting and Protecting, By Lois E. Wilson After the kidnapping and killing of the Charles Lindbergh baby in 1932, parents became more alert to the dangers their children faced. If someone could enter a famous person’s home and take an innocent child, they knew all children were vulnerable. I grew up in the 30’s and 40’s. My parents warned me about bad situations that might occur, so I was prepared when a couple... read more Puzzle Pete Is No Fool, by Lois E. Wilson Use the numbered clues to find the 4-letter answers to this word chain puzzle. The last letter of each is the first letter of the next word. Work up and down. The puzzle is started for you. Solve it correctly, then reading down, the first letters of the answers spell out Pete’s warning for you. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume... read more Mind, Body, Soul… For Your Health! By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! I am submitting the following because there's been a reported outbreak of Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B in fast food restaurants around Dayton. I realize Hepatitis A and B are viruses. But, close contact is close contact and hand washing is...well hand washing. And knowledge is power. Guys...if you read this - I don't care. But - this column is dedicated to women - mind, body, and... read more Along Life’s Way… Circles and Cycles of Life, By Lois E. Wilson John Mason Brown wrote, “The more I observed Washington, the more frequently I visited it, the more people I interviewed there, the more I understood how prophetic L’Enfant was when he laid it out as a city that goes around in circles.” Some of us are like hamsters on wheel runners. We are spinning our wheels going around in circles but getting nowhere. Our sports activities... read more Darwin and Restoration, By Mona Lease Hi, all!!! It's been awhile since I've seen so much of an uproar over - well...everything!  President Trump. Do you vaccinate your kiddies or no? New York (I think) said if your kiddies are not vaccinated -  they are not coming to school. Do we just legalize marijuana? Did the unvaccinated kiddies cause outbreaks of diseases we had "wiped out? And round it goes. I read a transcript of podcasts on... read more Puzzle Pete’s Compound Word Chain, By Lois E. Wilson Pete says to use the numbered clues to find the answers. Each dash stands for a letter. The last part of the compound word is also the first part of the next compound word. The puzzle is started for you. Work up and down. Did Pete compound your problem? Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print and no longer available... read more Mind, Body, Soul… Of Compliments And Such, By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! I dedicate the following to all you working gals out there or, to anyone who wants to make a difference in these times of uncertainty. Keep reaching! Keep stretching!! 53 Compliments That Have Nothing To Do With Appearance - Frank Olito, 1/18/2019, Business Insider - When Speaking To Co-Workers, Compliment Them On Their Work Ethic: - "You work herder... read more Along Life’s Way… Yes, You Are Creative! By Lois E. Wilson When teaching art classes, no matter the age of the students, I would often hear the excuse: “I can’t draw a straight line.” My response would be “That’s good because there are very few perfectly straight lines in nature.” People are inclined to sell themselves short when it comes to their creativity which involves much more than the ability to draw. Creativity is defined as the ability... read more A Priest and a Woman, By Mona Lease Hi, all!!! Sorry there was no column last week. I had trouble with my left shoulder and back. I'm better. According to a woman who spoke with me recently...forgiveness is deeper than saying "I'm sorry"...more than saying "I forgive you."...even if the forgiveness is only in your own heart. She shared her story with me. She said that all her life she did and thought what her Mother wanted her to think and do... read more Puzzle Pete: Kermit’s St. Patrick Day Lament, By Lois E. Wilson Use the numbered clues to find the 3-letter answers to this word chain puzzle. The last letter of each is the first letter of the next word. The puzzle is started for you. Work up and down. Solved correctly, reading down, the first letters of the answers spell out Kermit’s reason for his lament. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume... read more Mind, Body, Soul… A Faux-Pas?! By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! I had pain show up in my left arm...down the top of my left shoulder to my elbow...down my back...and up the left side of my neck. After I figured out it was not life-threatening...I started taking 2,400 milligrams of pure ibuprophin..in three doses..daily. I do not smoke cigarettes...nor the left-handed ones neither. I do not drink alcohol. I do not take any prescription... read more Along Life’s Way… Sink the Pink—Rethink: A Fable, By Lois E. Wilson Her name is Coloura Spectrum and because of that, she had always been interested in color. After graduating from college with two majors, art and chemistry, she took a position as a product developer for a large cosmetic company. She has at least one fault—she is a know-it-all. At the university she became immersed in the women’s rights movement. She decided on her own... read more Puzzle Pete Asks, “R” You Ready? By Lois E. Wilson Pete says use the clues to solve the puzzle. Each answer word begins and ends with the letter “R.” They have been placed in the puzzle for you. Each dash stands for s missing letter. Pete knows you can solve this brain-tester. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print and no longer available, however... read more Vent, Vett, Voice, By Mona Lease Hi, all!! "Vent" is described as: "The release of a strong emotion...to give vent to anger." "Vett" is: "To make  a/an (prior) examination of something or someone. Or to "vett" for prior approval. "Voice" is: To express something in words. (All from Wikipedia). I've been listening to people speak to each other. Mostly - I've been paying attention to the "listener." Start watching this. It's pretty... read more Along Life’s Way… You Said Something? By Lois E. Wilson  At some time in your life, you have probably heard the admonishment, “We have one mouth and two ears. That indicates that we should listen two times more than we talk.” One reason we fail to listen is because we are too busy talking. As Nathan Miller aptly put it, “Conversation in the United States is a competitive exercise in which the first person to draw a breath is declared... read more Puzzle Pete’s Film Titles II: Last to First, By Lois E. Wilson In this puzzle, each numbered line has two motion picture film titles within it. The last word of the first listed film is the first word of the second film title. The numbers in parentheses indicate the number of letters in each answer word. The puzzle is started for you. Pete says this puzzle could be called a film “inter-mission.” He’s sorry he doesn’t have any popcorn for you. Wilson's completed... read more Mind, Body, Soul… Facts, Lessons, and Self Care, By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! Spring is almost here. We've made it through some crazy weather. I'm submitting some "food for thought." We're closer to our dreams than we were yesterday. Keep reaching. Keep stretching. Remember: "As a man thinketh in his heart, so he is" not only embodies the whole of a man's being, but is so comprehensive as to reach out to every condition and circumstance... read more Extra Mileage, By Mona Lease Hi, all!!! The following is a true story. It's a true story circulating among what's left of the 85 year olds who went to a one-room school in Darke County. I'm submitting this to you readers because I personally know college graduates - who hold a degree - that reside in Darke County. Of these - half are working at a job that does not require a degree. Consider the following.  It seems that here in... read more Along Life’s Way… Undaunted, Dr. Brown and Topsy, By Lois E. Wilson In 1888, Eleanor Brown was born in Osborn (now Fairborn) Ohio. She began to lose her vision at age six and was completely blind by eleven. She attended the Ohio School for the Blind in Columbus and finished her high school education in 1908. She loved to read using both Line Print and the New York point system. Later she learned Braille. It has been reported that at... read more Puzzle Pete’s: It’s “Delightful!”, By Lois E. Wilson Pete says use the clues to solve the puzzle. Each answer word begins and ends with the letter “D.” They have been placed in the puzzle for you. Each dash stands for s missing letter. Solve it and Pete says you’ll “D-liver” a win. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print and no longer available, however Volumes 2-6 are... read more Mind, Body, Soul… While I Was Researching, By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! While I was researching material for a previous column - I ran across the following. I find it all so very intriguing and unsettling. See what you think. As I was perusing the King James Bible I found: The Proverb Woman (Proverbs 31) - The words of King Lemuel, the prophesy that his Mother taught him. What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what the son of my... read more Woop, There It Is! By Mona Lease Hi, all!!! This is part 3 (and the last part) to what we've been looking at in the last two columns. It gets a little graphic...BE WARNED. So - you are a kiddie. Say maybe 8-11 years old or so. You are a "latch key" kiddie. You get up for school by yourself. You fix your own breakfast. Maybe a neighbor stops by to see if you are ok. Maybe your parent calls you to see if you got up in time or if you... read more Along Life’s Way… Going Whole Hog for Love: A Fable, By Lois E. Wilson At age 26 Priscilla Pig still wore pigtails like a child, but she was not naïve. She wanted to marry and did not desire to choose a pig in a poke. She was afraid of being hog-tied to a bad situation. She had been dating and studying the available bachelors. Priscilla was particular about the kind of spouse she envisioned and was beginning to worry that she might never find a suitable one. When she started her search... read more Puzzle Pete’s February Hint, By Lois E. Wilson Use the numbered clues to find the 4-letter answers to this word chain puzzle. The last letter of each is the first letter of the next word. Work up and down. The puzzle is started for you. Solve it correctly, then reading down, the first letters of the answers spell out Pete’s suggestion for what you should send out this month. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six... read more Mind, Body, Soul… A Valentine's Day Present! By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! I thought I'd share the following with you. It's a little "fat-free food for thought." Ways You Didn't Know Your Body Changes After 50 - Holly Van Hare, The Daily Meal, 12/4/2018 - With age you gain wisdom, strength, and experience. You develop meaningful relationships and watch those around you grow. You begin to discover what you find most important. Many... read more Along Life’s Way… Friendship, By Lois E. Wilson My best friend and I went to the movies every Saturday afternoon. We laughed, cried, and wrote postcards to the stars requesting autographed photographs. Some sent us one. We slept over at each other’s house, shared our most innermost thoughts, and giggled about nothing long into the night until her mother or mine admonished, “This is the last time I’m going to tell you!” We... read more High Times? By Mona Lease Hi, all!!! This column is a "part-two" - so to speak - from last week's column...or maybe a more "in-depth" view. But our (the US) history shows us that we - as a people - were not ready for an extended period of peace - or blessings - or growth of mind/inventions, etc or whatever you want to call it. After World War 1, there were the Roaring Twenties. It was a time of economic growth and widespread... read more Puzzle Pete Says: A to Z, Ending in “Y”, © 2019 Lois E. Wilson  “Y” not try it? Complete the words below using the clues from the left column. The beginning letter of each word is given. Each dash stands for a letter. All answers end in Y. Pete was surprised to find a five-letter word for each letter of the alphabet except X. He cheated on that answer; it does have a hyphen which he put in a letter’s place. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition... read more Mind, Body, Soul… Airplanes and Such, By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! I found the following most interesting. I certainly would have expected better. Keep your goals in front of you. Portion control with food, gals. We've only got 8 weeks until April Fools' Day!! 18 Things You Should Never Do On an Airplane - Juliana LaBianca, Tyler Kendall, Reader's Digest Traveling is stressful enough so let's not add getting sick from the flight to your... read more After the War and Good Times, By Mona Lease Hi, all!!! The following is based on fact. I'll let you know when it's my conjecture - my interpretation. Read on if you like - I tried to "clean-up" a lot of it. It might have started before World War 1 - I'm starting there. So - we had World War 1 and it was officially ended on November 11, 1918. On the heels of this "peace time" period came the stock market crash - officially beginning on "Black Tuesday"... read more Along Life’s Way… The Filler Word Affliction, By Lois E. Wilson In the TV courtroom of Judge Judy, she often strongly admonishes participants who use the words “basically” or “like” in their testimony. She’ll say, “Don’t use those words; they are filler words!”  But the filler words are so ingrained in their vocabularies, that within the next few statements, they use them again. Some people have filler sounds such as: uh, er, or um... read more Puzzle Pete and the C’s, First and Last, Lois E. Wilson Pete says use the clues to solve the puzzle. Each answer word begins and ends with the letter “C.” They have been placed in the puzzle for you. Each dash stands for s missing letter. Solve it and Pete says you will have sailed the “C’s.” Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print and no longer available, however... read more Mind, Body, Soul… Running Back and 8 Reasons, By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! In this column, I'll be finishing the book we've been reading. I've learned a whole lot. Keep reaching. Keep stretching. Keep your mind agile. The Art Of Letting Go - Chapter 20 - "What You Should Do When You Want To Run Back To Them" - Kim Quindlen You're alone . It sucks. The sadness and isolation you feel is so sickeningly heavy. You've imagined a reconciliation... read more Rules, Commandments, & Tenets, By Mona Lease Hi, all!!! After a lot of contemplation and some digging...I submit the following to you readers. Consider: Talk has been going around for a while now that "we" cannot have a copy of the 10 Commandments posted in public buildings. For those of you who really know me - you'll have no problem believing that I called Greenville's City Building. I asked the gentleman who answered the phone if there was a... read more Along Life’s Way… Trail Blazing, By Lois E. Wilson In the poem “The Cow Path” by Samuel Walter Foss, a calf plodding home through undisturbed landscape creates a twisted trail. Other animals follow; people also trod the crooked path. Over time, it becomes a well-beaten lane, then a village road, and finally a crowded central thoroughfare of a city. Foss concluded that in the 300 years since the calf created the trail, a hundred... read more Puzzle Pete’s Three on a Match, by Lois E Wilson Pete says use the numbered clues to find the answers. Each dash stands for a letter in the answer word. 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. Pete calls it a triple play. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print and no longer available... read more Mind, Body, Soul… The Truth, By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! I paused while I was writing this to look out the window. From the east - we're getting the promised snow. And tomorrow (Sunday) is an Arctic blast. I trust you gals prepared for this. It's what we do. Stick to the "portion control" regarding food. When warm weather gets here - we won't have much weight to lose. The Art Of Letting Go - Chapter 18 - "The Truth About Why... read more Along Life’s Way… About Change, By Lois E. Wilson It’s the time of the year we think about change. Have you made any resolutions for 2019? Change can create good or bad results depending on the situation, timing, and reasons for it. These verses of mine are some observations on the subject: MAKING CHANGE? I’ve watched change for change’s sake Harbor a big headache... read more What I Don't Need, By Mona Lease Hi, all!!! I've always heard that there will come a day in every woman's life when she will throw her hands up in the air and admit she's an "old woman."  I always said I'd fight it all the way. However, the day came for me. And it's all Boost Mobile's fault. I am blameless I tell you! Boost Mobile - with whom I've dealt - and no other - for the last 14 years - nonstop - sent me an email. Said email informed me... read more Along Life’s Way… Adulting: What Is It? By Lois E. Wilson “Adulting” is a word used on social media which means “doing adult activities or the process of becoming an adult.”  In 2015, its use on Twitter increased by 700%. Adulting may stem from the fact that some in the millennial generation (born1981-1996) experience  normal life stages at a later age. Many millennials delay marrying, having children, and such things as buying... read more Puzzle Pete’s Stuck in the O-zone, © 2019 Lois E. Wilson Use the numbered clues to find the answers to this puzzle. Each answer word has double O’s in it which have been put in place. Each dash stands for a letter. Work up and down. The puzzle is started for you. When the puzzle is solved correctly, then reading down, the first letters of the answers spell out a comment from Pete. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry... read more Mind, Body, Soul… Forever Thankful, By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! As I pen this...it is snowing. My yardstick says there is 4" of the white stuff on my trash toter. And - I'm thankful!!  It's January. The snow is supposed to be here. Do I like it? Nah. But it's part of winter. Keep stretching. Keep exercising. Keep the faith! The Art Of Letting Go - Chapter 17 - "You Broke My Heart, But I Am Forever Grateful" - Marisa Donnelly - I was... read more Along Life’s Way… Spinning the News, By Lois E. Wilson The First Amendment to the Constitution grants the press freedom to fairly present the news. At the end of the twentieth century and after four years of intense dialogue, journalists developed a statement of purpose and nine principles for those in the media field. The central purpose identified is to provide citizens with accurate and reliable information they need to function in a free... read more Klondike Bars and a Wall, By Mona Lease Hi, all!!! How many of you readers remember the commercial for the Klondike bar? Remember the guy asking, "What would you do for a Klondike bar?" "Would you quack like a duck?" Women that the guy approached on the street were walking like ducks and quacking...on the sidewalk...for all to see...for a free Klondike bar. The Klondike bar was created by the Isaly Dairy Company of Mansfield... read more Puzzle Pete’s Film Titles: Last to First, Lois E. Wilson In this puzzle, each numbered line has two motion picture film titles within it. The last word of the first listed film is the first word of the second film title. The numbers in parentheses indicate the number of letters in each answer word. The puzzle is started for you. Pete says this puzzle could be called a film “inter-mission.” Good luck! Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now... read more Mind, Body, Soul… Already Forgotten, By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! Thanks to those of you who have told me you've enjoyed a column of mine. Last week's column seemed to be a hit. I heard a guy was reading these columns - or at least the last two. Welcome aboard, sir! Not to be repetitive but - a lot of this material works for most relationships...friends, siblings, husband/wife, etc. The Art of Letting Go - Chapter 16 - "Read... read more Along Life’s Way… Distaff Day: January 7th, By Lois E. Wilson If you are not familiar with the word “distaff” and come across it, you might interpret its components in today’s slang. To “dis” is to rudely criticize someone. So therefore, you might logically analyze “distaff” to mean disparaging the staff of a business or facility. However, in the dictionary, the word is defined first as female or maternal. That is the way it is used now in everyday life. But where did... read more War of Two Worlds, By Mona Lease Hi, all!!! Read on at your own risk. So, for you Baby `Boomers...here's the "scoop." Between the years of 1946 and 1964, 77 million baby boomers were born. World War 1 ended in 1918. World War 2 ended in 1945. This means that the Baby-Boomers came after two wars. And baby-boomers...such as I...came during the Viet Nam war....which was from 1955 to 1975. The United States entered Viet... read more Puzzle Pete’s “T’s” First and Last, Lois E. Wilson Pete says use the clues to solve the puzzle. Each answer begins and ends with the letter “T.” They have been placed in the puzzle for you. Each dash stands for s missing letter. Solve it and you’ll have “T” for two. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print and no longer available, however Volumes 2-6 are available... read more Mind, Body, Soul… Changing and a New Year, By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! And Happy Belated New Year!!  I looked at the date - 2019 - and I thought I'd not be seeing that for a while. Where'd the year go?? It seems that 2018 held a lot of "learning lessons" - some easy - some not so easy. We've been reading the book, "The Art of Letting Go" and I find that a lot of the material applies to more than just the man/woman love relationships. The Art of... read more Along Life’s Way… Choices of Will: A Fable, By Lois E. Wilson Will was falling, descending down, down, down. As he fell, it grew hotter and hotter until he could hardly breathe. His fall stopped; he mopped the sweat from his brow and opened his eyes. There was a large cavernous structure with a flashing sign, “Hotel.” He walked inside to the desk and said, “You have no gate. Isn’t this heaven?” The clerk replied, “No gate is... read more What Puzzle Pete Says on New Year’s Eve, Lois E. Wilson Use the numbered clues to find the 5-letter answers to this word chain puzzle. 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 of the answers spell out Pete’s comment. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print and... read more Bridge of Sighs, By Mona Lease Hi, all!!! WARNING: Graphic content. Not for the faint-of-heart nor for those who would say - "I would never say or do that." I listened to people who have lost a loved one say they are tired of hearing "this or that." I've heard people say they don't know what to say to the grieving person. With this in mind - are ya'll ready?? I've spoken to those who have lost a loved one recently or are still grieving... read more Puzzle Pete’s “W’s” First and Last, Lois E. Wilson Pete says use the clues to solve the puzzle. Each answer begins and ends with the letter “W.” They have been placed in the puzzle for you. Each dash stands for s missing letter. Solve it and you’ll have a “W” in your win column. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print and no longer available, however Volumes 2-6 are available... read more Mind, Body, Soul… You Must Let Them Go, By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! I hope you all had a Merry Christmas. Remember: It's all about exercise and portion-control. The Art of Letting Go - Chapter 14 - "If They Leave, You Must Let Them Go" - Ari Eastman "If he leaves, you have to let him go." My Mother sits at the kitchen table offering up this simple sentence. I want to tell her it isn't that easy and I don't understand why. I can see the worry in... read more Along Life’s Way… The Ties That Bind, By Lois E. Wilson Christmas and the New Year are special times for reconnecting with family and friends. My verse written in 2012 is an affirmation of that: Ties That Bind… There’s bustle about each chore. Then come knocks upon the door. No matter what the weather, The family gets together To celebrate Christmas Day... read more "The" Sanctuary City? By Mona Lease Hi, all!! I've been hearing about sanctuary cities in New York and lately in California. Maybe it's because the Christmas season is here with it's "You can't say Merry Christmas. Oh yeah...watch me." Maybe it's because I have a couple of people I know who have lost a loved one in the last three weeks. Maybe I'm just tired. But it all went though my mind like this: Sanctuary city is defined as: "Sanctuary... read more Puzzle Pete’s Favorite Christmas Decoration, Lois E. Wilson Use the numbered clues to find the 5-letter answers to this word chain puzzle. The last letter of each is the first letter of the next word. Work up and down. The puzzle is started for you. Solve it correctly, then reading down, the first letters of the answers spell out what Pete’s favorite decoration is every Christmas. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry... read more Mind, Body, Soul… Slipping Away, By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! There's not much left of this year. Keep reaching. Keep stretching. It's been a year of new ideas...new ways to work. For some of you readers - 2019 will bring a new job. And new workmates - new people to get used to and with whom to be productive. You can do it!! The Art of Letting Go - Chapter 13 - "When The One You Could Love Forever Slips Away" - Beau Taplin To... read more Along Life’s Way… Amazing Pets, By Lois E. Wilson When I was growing up, I had a variety of pets: goldfish, baby chickens, a duck, and at different times—a couple of cats. Except for the fish, my pets were outside or garage pets. My parents being from rural backgrounds and wanting to protect their hard-earned depression era furnishings seldom let them into the house. For the most part, this practice carried over to me. Snookie... read more Is Santa Really Real?? By Mona Lease Hi, all!!! There are those who say that Santa is not real. There are those that say that Santa is real - but, ya gotta believe. There are those that say that Santa is an awful lot like this "Jesus" person...or God..."he knows if you've been naughty or nice." Because of this - there are those that say Santa is of the Devil...trying to take Jesus' (God's) place. Headlines on my laptop newsfeed are: The weirdest things... read more Reflections… Jeans and a Blue Planet, From Mona Lease It takes real skill to choke on air, fall up the stairs, and trip over completely nothing. I have that skill. - Love Style. Reasons I need coffee: It tastes like hopes and dreams. Caffeine perks me up. Other people talk to me in the morning. Jail is a real thing. It's difficult to work if your eyes are closed. It helps me mimic socially acceptable behavior. Strangers stare if you forget... read more Puzzle Pete’s Sharing Names VI, by Lois E. Wilson Clues separated by the + sign are for two different people who share a name. The first name of #1 is given. That answer’s last name is the first name of the second person whose last name is given. Use the clues for both to solve the puzzle. Work back and forth. The puzzle is started for you. Pete hopes you don’t get stuck in the middle. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition... read more Mind, Body, Soul… If You Don't Understand Why, By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! Christmas is close upon us. Remember - you can eat anything. It's all about balance and portion-control. I had some very positive feedback regarding last week's column. I read these with you. I'm glad you've learned something or at least been introduced to new ideas. The Art Of Letting Go - Chapter 12 - "Read This If You Don't Understand Why Someone Doesn't Like You... read more Along Life’s Way… Birthdays: Some Thoughts, By Lois E. Wilson Herman Hesse wrote: “Every man is more than just himself; he also represents the unique, the… special and always significant and remarkable point at which the world’s phenomena intersect, only once in this way and never again.” This is how birthdays are created. I recently had another one. It has been said that each birthday gives us a new identity. Years add privilege—you become... read more Flanders Field, By Mona Lease Hi, all!! I'd like to welcome a gal friend of mine to this humble little column. For some 39+ years we've known each other and developed a lasting friendship. I strive to make this column a place of hope and help. Or at least give you some knowledge...and a laugh or two.  With Christmas 23 days away as I write this - I submit the following to you. As a student in school I hated (yes, hated) history and... read more Along Life’s Way… The Best Place: A Fable © 2018 Lois E. Wilson Stella from the first time she attended church as a child always worried where to sit. This anxiety probably began when her mother chose to locate close to the rear door in case Stella or one of her siblings cried or misbehaved. If that happened, the family could make a quick exit from the sanctuary. Later Stella sat with others nearer her own age. She was beginning to notice and become... read more Mind, Body, Soul… Old Grief, By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! Before I start this, I want to welcome aboard this column a long time friend of mine. She and I discussed our youth - we made it through it!! Now that we're older...we realize that we got off of the "path" somewhere along the way. When I started this column, I thought it might be another of my "zany" ideas. But the response has been positive. Guys, you're always welcome... read more Puzzle Pete Runs the “S’s” A to Z, Lois E. Wilson Pete says to complete the 6-letter words starting with “S” by using the clues in the left column.  The letters of the alphabet appear in sequence as the third letter of each word. He says your help is “S-ential.” Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print and no longer available, however Volumes 2-6 are available and are... read more A Three-Pronged Message, By Mona Lease Hi, all!!! Every time of the year is probably a bad time. Fun-in-the-sun and no one to share it with you. The holidays are especially bad. Christmas, New Year's Eve (no special one to kiss in the new year), Valentine's Day - all are geared to love, spending money to show your love, and such. With that in mind: Prong One: I've "been there"...no special lover...just me. This time of year makes... read more Along Life’s Way… My Secrets about Secrets, by Lois E. Wilson I’ve lived long enough to have made a few observations about “secrets.” I wrote the poem “Betrayal” in 1967. Since then I’ve added the ten listed below it. BETRAYAL  You said that daisies do not tell. / So trustingly I spoke my secret. / Now all across the meadow / The whispered phrases echo. / If only I could quell / The haunting verbal swell. / Or better, if I could rescind / Those words blown to the wind... read more Mind, Body, Soul… Things Not Meant For You, By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! Happy Belated Thanksgiving to everyone! We are now going to read the next chapter. The Art of Letting Go - Chapter 10 - "You Have To Let Go Of Things That Aren't Meant For You - Kovie Blakolo "Walt Whitman wrote, "Reexamine all that you have been told, and dismiss what insults your soul." Unfortunately for us, Whitman never left detailed instructions on exactly how... read more Puzzle Pete Celebrates a CNO Tally, Lois E. Wilson Use the numbered clues to find the 5-letter answers to this word chain puzzle. The last letter of each is the first letter of the next word. Work up and down. The puzzle is started for you. Solve it correctly, then reading down, the first letters of the answers spell out Pete’s reason for his celebration. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is... read more Right's Wrong, By Mona Lease Hi, all!!! Before I start...we have to realize that: There is no correct answer on what exactly is morally right or wrong. Everyone has different choices and opinions on what is morally wrong and right. The view of ethical standards, morality, and positions for right and wrong is decided by our choice or opinion. "It's true for me if I believe it." Different people have different opinions on what they think... read more Along Life’s Way… In the Crosshairs, By Lois E. Wilson The “Oxford English Dictionary” chooses a word or phrase that has invaded, mirrored, and dominated the culture and events of the year and is likely to remain significant in the future. The O.E.D.’s word for 2018 is “toxic.” Its original meaning derived from the Greek word “toxikon” (arrow poison). It described a poisonous material capable of causing death. Later, it also referred to... read more Puzzle Pete’s Thanksgiving Plea, Lois E. Wilson Use the clues in the left column to find the 4-letter answers to this word chain puzzle. The last letter of each is the first letter of the next word. Work up and down. The puzzle is started for you. Solve it correctly, then reading down, the first letters of the answers spell out Pete’s plea to the President. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry... read more Mind, Body, Soul… Not For Everyone, By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! Enjoy the following excerpts. I hope you readers gain new insights and a new understanding of how we all relate to each other. The Art of Letting Go - Chapter 9 - "You Are Not For Everyone" - Bianca Sparacino - You are not for everyone. There are poems within you that people may not be able to handle, storms surging through your bones that young men and... read more Does Time Stand Still?? By Mona Lease Hi, all!! "What a sublime conception is that of a last judgement!" said he, - "a righting of all the wrongs of ages! - a solving of all moral problems, by an unanswerable wisdom." "Perhaps," said Miss Ophelia, "It is impossible for a person who does no good not to do harm." "And what, said St. Clare, speaking abstractedly, but with deep feeling, "what shall be said of one whose own heart, whose education... read more Puzzle Pete’s Sharing Names V, Lois E. Wilson Clues separated by the + sign are for two different people or groups who share a name. The first name of #1 is given. That answer’s last name is the first name of the second person or group whose last name is given. Use the clues for both to solve the puzzle. Work back and forth. The puzzle is started for you. Pete hopes you don’t get stuck in the midd... read more Along Life’s Way… Buy the Book, By Lois E. Wilson I had learned to sell at the outdoor watermelon markets my parents operated each summer when they weren’t teaching. The markets provided the income they needed in their off months during the Great Depression. The markets were open from at least 8 to 8, seven days a week. I bagged and sold potatoes, other vegetables, and fruits. I even graduated to selling... read more Mind, Body, Soul… This Is Me, By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! We're about halfway through the book we've been reading. I'm reading it with you. I learned a few things. A few things I've read I've thought, "Aah, that's why their response was thus and so." The Art of Letting Go - Chapter 8 - "This Is Me Letting You Go" - Heidi Priebe - This is me accepting that you're leaving. It's my acknowledgement that there's no further argument to... read more Along Life’s Way… Politics Gone Wild: A Fable, By Lois E. Wilson Fifteen years before, Leon the lion had arrived at the Large Cat Nation (LCN). He was a glib talker; he soon had the lions, tigers, leopards, and cheetahs believing that he was a direct descendent of the first Lion King of LCN. When the current king became ill, it was decided to select a new one. Leon immediately seized the opportunity and began campaigning for the honored... read more Puzzle Pete’s Remembrances, Lois E. Wilson Pete feels grateful especially each November. Use the numbered clues to find the 5-letter answers to this word chain puzzle. The last letter of each is the first letter of the next word. Work up and down. The puzzle is started for you. Solve it correctly, then reading down, the first letters of the answers spell out what Pete thinks we should all do at this time... read more Thanks To All!! By Mona Lease Hi, all!!! This is the time of year that I set aside to reflect a little and say "thanks." November 11 - tomorrow...is Veteran's Day. The following is by Simran Khurana - April 17, 2018. "It takes courage for a soldier to risk life and limb for his country. The least we civilians can do is honor these heroes. That is the basis of Veteran's Day celebrations - to honor these great men and women with... read more Reflections… Love and Snow, By Mona Lease Never be ashamed of how much you love or how quickly you fall. Love fully, love completely, but most importantly, love naturally - and don't you ever apologize for it! Don't ever be sorry for loving the way your heart knows how. - d. w. Love Wide Open; People don't always need advise. Sometimes all they really need is a hand to hold, an ear to listen, and a heart to understand them. Love Wide Open... read more Mind, Body, Soul… Never Enough, By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! The book we've been looking at - well excerpts - gets to be a "salad bar" type thing. Take what you like - try something new that looks "edible" or interesting. The Art of Letting Go - Chapter 7 - "You Were Never Enough For Me" - Becca Martin - I was falling for the way you would show up and surprise me at my house. I was falling for the way you'd do sweet things without... read more Along Life’s Way… Paying Our Respects, By Lois E. Wilson One meaning of the word “respect” is giving special regard or esteem. Respect is a characteristic we hope we exhibit and teach our children. To respect the rights and property of members of the family, our friends, neighbors, and those in authority is a positive attribute toward civility and should be encouraged. Last week, I was pondering the subject and penned this verse... read more I Was Dared! By Mona Lease Hi, all!! After sharing my views on anti- semitism, what the "true" religious denomination is, etc - I was dared to write this column. After some more research - I submit the following for you readers to consider. It is my opinion and all references are from the King James Bible. Thanks for reading and considering. Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden. Adam named all of the animals in the Garden... read more Mind, Body, Soul… It's Never Too Late, By Mona Lease Greetings, galls!! Thanks to you gals out there who have remarked to me on the excerpts from the book I've been using. I'm glad it helped. That's the point of this column. I believe that once we see why we say and do the things we do - it's easier to modify our speech and actions. It's also easier to let go of "crutches" we never really knew we were using. The following excerpts were... read more Along Life’s Way… True Beauty: a Fable, Lois E. Wilson There were two sisters, Charity and Vanity. The older, Charity, had received comments about being a charming child until her sister was born. Vanity became aware at an early age that from her good looks she received advantages. Others would coo to her, “You’re just the cutest doll!” Her mother entered Vanity in baby pageants which brought her many awards. In school Vanity... read more Puzzle Pete’s Halloween Alert, Lois E. Wilson Use the clues in the left column to find the 4-letter answers to this word chain puzzle. The last letter of each is the first letter of the next word. Work up and down. The puzzle is started for you. Pete says, “Solve it correctly, then reading down, the first letters of the answers reveal an alert for Halloween.” Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published... read more It's Yours To Lose, By Mona Lease Hi, all!! About 11 years ago I did a column much like the following. I have checked anew and the information is still the same. In light of the fact that Thanksgiving is a scant 29 days away with the Ohio/Michigan State game two days later - consider the following. Everyone has family and/or friends who reside out-of-state...or you know someone who has family and/or friends who reside... read more Mind, Body, Soul… Never Fully Letting Go, By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! I'm going to give you readers excerpts from a chapter a week until this book is finished. Some of this stuff I staggered around in the dark for years until it got settled in my mind. Enjoy!! The Art of Letting Go - Chapter 5 - To the Lovers We Never Fully Let Go Of - Heidi Priebe - You know the one. They are the boys who catch your eye in hazy dive bars when the clock... read more Puzzle Pete’s Three in One, Lois E. Wilson Pete says to determine the answers to this 6 and 7-letter word chain puzzle, use the clues in the left column. Each dash stands for a letter. The last three letters of each word are also the first three letters of the next answer. Work up and down. The puzzle is started for you. Pete hopes it’s not a triple threat for you. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition... read more Hearing Her Speak, By Mona Lease Hi, all!!! She told me she thought all of our problems in society today were because we have too much money...or...access to too much money. She said you have a job. You can get as many credit cards as you like...as long as you keep making the minimum payment...which covers the interest and $2 or $3 dollars to the principal. You are never really going to save any money... read more Along Life’s Way… The “M” Word, By Lois E. Wilson If you’ve been watching the news channels in the last couple of weeks, you are probably aware of the assault on the use of the “M” word, as they call it—the mob. A few TV hosts have chastised their panel guests for using the word when describing the actions of certain political dissent and protest groups. When you have celebrities egging on violence such as showing... read more Mind, Body, Soul… Time Heals, By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! This column gives you another chapter of a book I've been reading. Enjoy! "The Art of Letting Go" - Chapter 4 - "6 Ways to Move on After a Heartbreak That Will Begin to Heal the Pain"  - Sabrina Alexis When I was 17, I experienced an important rite of passage...my very first heartbreak. I felt something (with this boy) that no one else had ever made me feel before, and no... read more Along Life’s Way… In a Word, By Lois E. Wilson I have always been intrigued by words and their origin. Many came from different cultures, some were coined to fit a situation, and some familiar words were given additional applications. In 2007 I wrote this verse about the new meanings of words which arose from technology: At one time a compact disc, Was just a powder puff. A lap top was created, When sitting on... read more Questions and Feelings, By Mona Lease Hi, all!!! I found the following most interesting. It might not lead to love - but the answers will surely give you a new insight into you. Consider: "The 36 Questions That Lead to Love" Set 1 1)Given the choice of anyone in the world, who would you want as a dinner guest? 2)Would you like to be famous? In what way? 3)Before making a telephone call, do you ever rehearse what you are going to say?  Why... read more Along Life’s Way… Porches, Fences, and Neighbors, By Lois E. Wilson In the 1980’s John Culhane wrote about the slow demise of porches: “The front porch wasn’t an outdoors room and it wasn’t an indoors room; it was a bridge between the family and the neighborhood. It was where the transactions of life took place—not big social occasions, just the sweet civilities of life that keep neighbors close.” In my childhood, I sat on the... read more Puzzle Pete’s Task for November 6th, © 2018 Lois E. Wilson Use the numbered clues to find the three-letter answers to this word chain puzzle. The last letter of each is the first letter of the next answer. Work up and down. The puzzle is started for you. Solve it correctly, then reading down, the first letters of the answers spell out what Pete is planning to do on November 6th. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry... read more Mind, Body, Soul… I'm Glad, By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! This book I'm reading is in such simple form. I wanted to share this with you readers. I know a few of you who will say: "Wow, just....wow!"  Consider the following. "The Art of Letting Go" - "I'm Glad It Didn't Work Out Between Us" - Chapter 3 - Marisa Bagnato I'm glad it didn't work out between us. Well, all of you. (And by "you" I mean my exes.). But nobody in particular... read more Being Real, By Mona Lease Hi, all!!! For you faithful readers out there (thanks much!), you'll know I wrote a "Mind, Body, Soul" column on this same subject. Again - it's the truth...read on if you like. For the sake of agreement...let's say that the population of the earth is male/female...50/50. That makes half of this world geared to the men. And it rightly should. So - responsibility comes into play here...all across the board... read more Puzzles Pete’s Starting Vowel-3-LetterAnswers, Lois E. Wilson Pete says to use the clues to determine the 3-letter answers. The second letter of each answer is given. Each answer starts with a vowel. Cross off the vowels as they are used.  The correct solution uses all the vowels. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print and no longer available, however Volumes 2-6 are... read more Along Life’s Way… Out of Excuses? A Fable, By Lois E. Wilson Allie Alibi realized early in life that excuses could help avoid repercussions or punishment from the results of personal actions or decisions. She watched how others used excuses. It fascinated her. She started a journal in which she listed them and filed them by categories such as: excuses for gaining weight, for being late, for drinking too much, for not paying a tab, fo... read more Mind, Body, Soul… A Lesson From the Orient? By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! The following us pretty intense. It is, however, the truth. Read on if you like. The furnishings are opulent...plush carpeting...fine cigars...well-aged brandy...the finest foods. Trim, fit, beautiful girls, scantily dressed with heels and hose of black, circulate the room ready to serve your every need. Soft, relaxing music plays  in the background. Everything is orchestrated to please... read more Bon Apetit! By Mona Lease That's "good appetite!" Hi, all!! Since the weather is cooler and people are more inclined to try and enjoy their food...this seemed appropriate.  Enjoy! Most Iconic Sandwich in Every State Alabama: Pulled Chicken with White Sauce Alaska: Salmon Sandwich Arizona: Sonoran Hot Dog Arkansas: Fried Bologna Sandwich California: French Dip...roast beef and provolone. Colorado: Denver Sandwich... read more Mind, Body, Soul… He/She Is Not Right For Me, By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! Maybe the following is said in a way I can understand. Maybe it's the truth presented in a way not biased "for or against" anyone. See what you think. From "The Art of Letting Go"   Chapter 2: 13 Things to Remember When You Realize He's Not Right For You. - Skyla Child I've always believed that it is easier to be hurt than it is to hurt someone else.  I have told myself so... read more Along Life’s Way… Promises, Pledges, and Oaths, By Lois E. Wilson Whenever we head to the ballot box to make choices on candidates, it is helpful to review their records on promises, pledges, and oaths. “Promise” is defined as a declaration or assurance that one will do a particular thing or that particular thing will happen in the future. It can also be an assurance that one will refrain from doing a certain thing. “Pledge” is a solemn... read more Puzzle Pete Says Run the J’s: A to Z, Lois E. Wilson Complete the words starting with “J” by using the clues in the left column. The letters of the alphabet appear in sequence as the third letter of each word.  Each dash stands for a letter. Pete warns that none of these “J.s” are birds. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print and no longer available, however Volumes 2-6... read more Uncle Moses, By Mona Lease Hi, all!! I was young. I didn't get it. I did not understand what the problem was. What was so "wrong" about talking on the phone and doing the crossword puzzle from the newspaper at the same time? I didn't understand why it was so "wrong" to have on the television while you have company. Why did it bother him so? It bothered him so much that he left early on more than one occasion. I did not understand... read more Along Life’s Way… Above the Clouds: A Fable, Lois E. Wilson One day in Heaven, Cirrus who was in charge of clouds had an idea. He would create a cloud formation in the shape of the letters “PC.” He told God that his design was so huge and beautiful that it he knew it could not escape the attention of Earth’s inhabitants. He placed it into the sky in a position where the sun’s rays shone through its crystals. The PC cloud was a... read more Mind, Body, Soul… To Let Go or No? By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! I wanted to share the following with you. The title of the book just jumped out at me. Keep stretching - keep believing. From "The Art of Letting Go"...Chapter 1...Rania Naim Letting go is really hard, especially when you have to let go of something you really want, whether it's an opportunity, or someone you really liked or loved, or even any expectations you had about... read more Along Life’s Way… Not By Any Measure, By Lois E. Wilson For at least the last ten years, I have been watching how companies are decreasing the amount of product they put in their packaging. This downsizing is spreading to more and more types of merchandise. For example in a store today, a full half-gallon container of ice cream is difficult to find. Some boxes of cereal are now much thinner and have less inside. A few... read more Remembering, By Mona Lease Hi, all!!! As I write this...it's the 17th anniversary of the terrorist attack on American soil...when the Trade Towers vanished into a smoking pile of rubble "Seventeen years ago, a void was left in our city and hearts. In the wake of the unimaginable, we came together in unity. Today in that spirit of unity, hundreds gathered together on the #911 memorial to honor the 2,977 people... read more Puzzle Pete’s Favorite Proverb, Lois E. Wilson Use the numbered clues to find the 4-letter answers to this word chain puzzle. The last letter of each is the first letter of the next answer. Work up and down. The puzzle is started for you. Solve it correctly, then reading down, the first letters of the answers spell out the old proverb that Pete believes is true about life. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes... read more Mind, Body, Soul… Picking Your Battles, By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals! I sat listening to a couple of gals talk. I found the following most interesting. "I'm giving away most of my stuff. I'm not even going to try to sell it. It's just going to go...some how...some way...it's all going." "I have blankets, blankets, and more blankets. Really...how many blankets do you need?? You normally wash your bedding and put it back on the bed. I found blankets I had... read more Along Life’s Way… “Due” Unto Others: A Fable, Lois E. Wilson It was the Small Claims Court. The Judge stated, “Since this is a family matter, I am going to use your first names when I address you. Frank, please state your case.” Frank was seeking due process. “Judge, over two years ago I loaned my brother-in-law, Bill, $2000  to cover rent and other expenses he had at the time. He agreed that he would pay me back at the rate of $100... read more Fall Back, By Mona Lease Hi, all!!! Another time change is upon us. Sunday, November 4h..we "fall back" an hour. I'm dong the fall house cleaning and my collection of "column tidbits" for future columns. Enjoy the following while I put away the summer stuff. Avoid people who mess with your head. Avoid people who intentionally and repeatedly do and say things they know upset you. Avoid people who expect you... read more Puzzle Pete’s Sharing Names IV, by Lois E. Wilson Clues separated by the + sign are for two different people or groups who share a name. The first name of #1 is given. That answer’s last name is the first name of the second person or group whose last name is given. Use the clues for both to solve the puzzle. Work back and forth. The puzzle is started for you. Pete hopes you don’t get stuck in the middle. Wilson's completed set of books has a new... read more Along Life’s Way… Six Degrees of Separation, By Lois E. Wilson We are a mobile society. We usually move and relocate several times during a lifetime. Members of our family have lived in four other countries when in the military or during college student exchange programs. Currently our four generations are all residing within the United States. They live in seven and soon to be eight different states. My husband and I once jokingly... read more Mind, Body, Soul… Glens and Hospitals, By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! Along about 1982 - the movie First Blood appeared on the silver screen. John Rambo - a highly decorated Vietnam veteran  - who was specifically trained to ignore pain and disregard "chatter" designed to make him respond inappropriately...goes on his own personal agenda using these skills. Senator John McCain..of Arizona..died August 25, 2018. I watched a... read more Along Life’s Way… Father Time on “Time”: A Fable, Lois E. Wilson Father Time always meets with the 10,080 minutes of the week to come. He wants each of them to realize their importance in the lives of the people of the universe. It is a speech he has given since the beginning of time. He walks proudly into the room and greets them, “Good day, everyone! Your time will soon arrive. As you know, it will last only a moment. To meet your... read more Redundant Repetition, By Mona Lease Hi, all!!! Redundant is defined as: "not or no longer needful or useful...not required, unessential, needless, unwanted, unnecessary, etc." Repetition is defined as: "the action of repeating something that has already been said or written..reiteration, reoccurrence, replication, etc."  Both definitions are from Wikipedia. Readers be warned: I will be redundantly repetitious with the following subject... read more Along Life’s Way… Of Limits and Limitations, By Lois E. Wilson This excerpt from my poem, “Understanding,” is based on an oft told story about me when a baby: Tiny tot touches graceful fern. Mother frowns and utters a stern, “No! No!” Baby sits back, makes a babbling mock, Pulls a leaf from the planted crock. “No! No!” After warnings and reprimands, Mother smacks smartly two small hands. Baby turns to mother; tears... read more Mind, Body, Soul… Hang Loose! By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! Ok - so either guys are immune to anxiety...or, they've leaned how to control it...or maybe conceal it. Consider the following. Keep reaching. Keep stretching. Every little bit counts. When you're excited, your heart rate spikes, your mind races, your palms sweat, you start speaking faster, and maybe you tremble a little bit. When you're anxious your heart... read more Puzzle Pete’s Double NN’s: A to Z, Lois E. Wilson Pete says to use the clues to determine the answer words. Their starting letters are given. Within each appear two N’s together. Each dash stands for a letter. Pete hopes you can tie up the loose NN’s. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print and no longer available, however Volumes 2-6 are available... read more Of Grief and Awareness, By Mona Lease Hi, all!! Since this is a column of help and hope - I find the following most profound. Pay particular attention to the 6th paragraph, "My understanding of life...." For Grieving Mothers by Dr. Joanne Cacciatore - I am a Mother. I am a bereaved Mother. My child died, and this is my reluctant path. It is not a path of my choice, but a path I must walk mindfully, and with intention. It is a journey through the... read more Along Life’s Way… The “Pour” Analogy: A Fable, by Lois E. Wilson The young teacher was confident. She had used the same lesson plan during her practice teaching experience and received high marks for it. Before her sixth-grade art students came in, she placed an array of different pitchers in a row on the table. When the class members were in their seats, she explained about the pitchers. There were all types: ceramic and glass, for water, for cream, for gravy... read more Mind, Body, Soul… Ungentle, By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! I've never heard so many gals be so despondent for so long. One gal told me she hoped we had a long fall season. Another gal wants to "skip over everything" - no Halloween...no Thanksgiving....no Christmas...just straight to next spring. It has been an odd year. To me...the oddest thing I've seen in all my years on this Earth is when Hurricane Irma sucked up... read more Puzzle Pete’s Safety Watch, Lois E. Wilson Use the clues in the left column to find the 4-letter answers to this word chain puzzle. The last letter of each is the first letter of the next word. Work up and down. The puzzle is started for you. Pete says, “Solve it correctly, then reading down, the first letters of the answers reveal what Pete wants us all to look out for every day. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now... read more Along Life’s Way… Beating the Odds, By Lois E. Wilson In 1952, he was a farm lad of 21 and she was a city girl of 19 years of age.. They were young, and both were only children. They could have been spoiled brats, totally wrapped up in themselves, but they took their wedding vows seriously—“until death do us part.” They believed two had become one. When he was called to active duty in the Army, she went with him wherever... read more Fall Cleaning, By Mona Lease Hi, all!! It's time for the fall cleaning. I'm starting with the fodder I have for future columns. Here's a little "food for thought." Death is neither a happy event nor a cause for mourning, but a call to practice our faith seriously. A couple's relationship should be based on mutual respect, not argument. Kind words on everyone's lips! Good deeds in everyone's heart! Good fortune in everyone's... read more Along Life’s Way… It Will Be Duck Soup: A Fable, Lois E Wilson Duffer Duck met Mallard at the farm pond. He planned to present and peddle a new product to him. They had not worked together before, but he hoped they could be partners in this venture. He started his spiel with some history. “I don’t know if you’ve heard of the family on TV that made a fortune from their items for duck hunters. Their most successful one is a duck... read more Mind, Body, Soul… My Story or Your Story?! By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! I've been sitting on this column for a while. I find it so very interesting. Since this column is devoted to women and how we can better ourselves...mind, body, and soul...consider the following. People Who Say These 5 Words Have Very Low Emotional Intelligence. They mean the exact opposite of what you think. But only emotionally intelligent people understand... read more Puzzle Pete’s Advice for the Fair, Lois E. Wilson Use the numbered clues to find the 4-letter answers to the word chain puzzle. The last letter of each is the first letter of the next answer. Work up and down. The puzzle is started for you. Solve it correctly, then reading down, the first letters of the answers spell out what Pete is hoping happens to people at the fair. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of... read more Illusions?! By Mona Lease Hi, all!!! I probably ought to stop reading stuff like this. But - I find it all really curious...especially "John Barron." And it makes me wonder...what else is an "illusion?" 28 Famous People Who Never Existed - Betty Crocker: She is almost 100 years old. Also - she is a prop for selling cookbooks and such. Aunt Jemima: She was created by R. T. Davis. She was another "prop" used to sell food... read more Along Life’s Way… The Dayton Papers and Me, By Lois E. Wilson My writing letters to the editors of the Dayton, Ohio, newspapers started when I was twelve years old. I read in a news article that officials were considering tearing down the log Newcom Tavern in the downtown area of the city. I was motivated to express my opinion that we should keep structures of significance as they are a part of Dayton history. I wrote a similar plea for saving... read more Reflections… Patience and Who?? By Mona Lease The hardest thing in life is having the patience to wait for the right moment. Sometimes when things are falling apart, they're actually falling into place. Be at ease knowing that what was meant for you will never miss you, and what misses you was never meant for you. One day you will be at the place you always wanted to be. Keep moving forward, staying patient and thinking positive... read more Along Life’s Way… The Good Turn: A Fable, Lois E. Wilson The boy and his grandfather who lived with them were very close. One day his grandfather hugged him and said, “I have watched you grow up to be a fine 12-year-old lad. You take good care of your pets. Without being asked, you see things that need to be done around the house, and you do them. You are kind and help others. I am proud of you, and I love you. “I know you are joining... read more Mind, Body, Soul… Family and Names, By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!!  Well - in my extended family, I have young girls getting married...young girls getting engaged...an 8-week-old girl at the Cleveland Clinic awaiting heart surgery. It's been baby names...a minor  out-patient baby surgery...Egads!! The following piqued my attention. My attention has been on "family" and baby things. And..baby names surely have changed. 50... read more Puzzle Pete Runs the O’s: A to Z, Lois E. Wilson Complete the words starting with “O” by using the clues in the left column. The letters of the alphabet appear in sequence as the second letter of each word.  Each dash stands for a letter. Pete hopes this puzzle isn’t too O-nerous. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print and no longer available, however Volumes... read more Cannabis?!! By Mona Lease Hi, all!! With all of the hype about medical marijuana (cannabis), I thought I'd submit the following for you readers to consider. Hold on tightly - it gets to be a sort-of "sex education"-type thing. I heard on the news today, (7/30), that a medical marijuana grower in the Cleveland area has been given the "green light" to start growing for Ohio's medical marijuana. Cannabis (marijuana) comes in male... read more Along Life’s Way… The New Parenting? By Lois E. Wilson After my husband and I had children, one day my Dad confided in me that he was surprised at how well I cared for them. I was an only child, so I did not have any experience caring for siblings. In Girl Scouts we learned the skills needed for baby-sitting jobs. That was the extent of my preparation. Recently, I read two newspaper articles that intrigued me. I found them interesting... read more Gathering at Garst… Morning After, By B.A. Hughes The Gathering at Garst is an annual event hosted on the grounds of Garst Museum the last Saturday and Sunday in July.  It attracts visitors who come to engage in our history; stroll among a venue of artists, antiques, and craftsmen; sample delicious food; and enjoy the talented performers. Following another successful weekend, Senior Scribe Bev Hughes had an observation... read more Puzzle Pete’s Sharing Names III, © 2018 Lois E. Wilson Clues separated by the + sign are for two different people who share a name. The first name of person #1 is given. That person’s last name is the first name of the second person whose last name is given. Use the clues for both to solve the puzzle. Work back and forth. The puzzle is started for you. Pete hopes you know these people—past and present. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition... read more Mind, Body, Soul… Sandy Beaches and Warm Nights, By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! "This isn't summer weather." "I just put more chlorine in my pool." "I think it'll get cold early and we'll have a long, cold winter." "I don't want to order propane or heating fuel yet." "My tomatoes did not turn out right at all." "This weather could be October weather." "I read that when you can't tell the seasons apart, that's when the world is going to end. Is that what this weather... read more Reflections… Attitudes and Attributes, By Mona Lease About to speak? Think a moment. Slow your speech a bit. It's not that you should not speak, but rather that you should cherish what you say and choose your words with care. The four attitudes to take towards others: Grateful, Thankful, Transforming, Inspiring. Look more, listen more, speak less - act fast; spend slow. Busy? No matter. No vexation. All is well. Work quickly, not anxiously... read more Along Life’s Way… Acronyms to Acrimony: A Fable, Lois E. Wilson The country’s founding fathers had established a government with structure and standards. They called the new nation SAKO which derived from their goal, Structure Always—Keep Objectives.  Over its 200-plus years, two main political parties had emerged. The conservative OAKS party’s guiding principle was “Our Allegiance—Key Strength.” Its name was inspired by the old... read more Puzzle Pete’s Double Alphabet Scramble: 4-Letter Answers, Lois E. Wilson Complete the 4-letter answers using the clues. The third letter is given. Each answer starts with a different letter of the alphabet. Cross off each letter as it is used. Start with the answers you know for certain. Pete wishes you luck A to Z. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print and no longer available... read more Yoda and Negativity, By Mona Lease Hi, all!! I read the following on the internet. I thought, "Wow. Does "negativity" really cause all of this?" See what you think. 23 Signs You're Too Negative. We all have our bad days when we wake up in a terrible mood, scowl at strangers, and fume about how bad traffic is. Of course, there's nothing wrong with the occasional off day. But if this sort of crabby behavior repeatedly manifests itself... read more Puzzle Pete’s Thoughts about Parades, Lois E. Wilson Use the numbered clues to find the 6-letter word answers. The last letter of each is the first letter of the next word.  The puzzle is started for you. Work up and down. Solved correctly, reading down, the first letters of the answers spell out what Pete thinks about parades. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of... read more Mind, Body, Soul… Bugs and Diseases, By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! Whew...our world is getting to be a scary place!! Hepatitis A,B, and C are on the rise - even in Darke County. I spoke with Darke County's investigating nurse. Then I read the following. This City Has The Worst Bed Bug Infestation in America. Pest control company, Orkin, recently released it's  "Top 50 Bed Bug Cities" list...complete with data of the places... read more Along Life’s Way… Who’s Who? By Lois E. Wilson Over the years, animals and representations of them have been used to promote organizations, products, causes and concerns. The donkey first became associated with the Democratic Party in the 1820’s. However, in the 1870’s, Thomas Nast’s political cartoons permanently locked the two together and provided an elephant which linked to the Republican Party... read more Life Changers, By Mona Lease Hi, all!! I read the following and thought, "Wow, I feel old." Maybe that's why I am a "Senior Scribe?!" It did bring back a few memories. 50 Ways Life Has Changed in the Last 50 Years Working no longer means heading into an office: Fifty years ago, "going to work" meant going to a physical location outside of your house. In a recent Gallup poll, 43 percent of workplaces allow people... read more Mind, Body, Soul… What Bugs Me, By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! Here's another interesting article I read. Read on while I swat this house fly...grrr. 30 Most Dangerous Bugs in America - Africanized Honey Bees: Or killer bee..was introduced into America after an experiment gone wrong. In the 1950's, colonies of African honey bees were brought into Brazil for cross-breeding..to increase the honey... read more Along Life’s Way… Success and Failure: A Fable, Lois E. Wilson There were two families. Each differed on the role success and failure should play in the lives of their children. The Exempts believed that winning and success are the most important goals in life. The Exempt parents guarded their son and daughter closely to ensure that they did not experience failure. They expected only A’s on their children’s report cards... read more Of True Regrets, By Mona Lease Hi, all!! I found the following most interesting. The Biggest Regret in Life Most People Have - Everyone has regrets, but you always imagine that those regrets revolve around the mistakes that you think you made. Maybe you regret calling off your wedding. Maybe you wish you hadn't married the man you chose. Maybe you want to quit your job and move to Bali, but you're... read more Puzzle Pete Is Wary, Lois E. Wilson Use the numbered clues to find the 5-letter answers to this word chain puzzle. The last letter of each is the first letter of the next word. Work up and down. The puzzle is started for you. Solve it correctly, then reading down, the first letters of the answers spell out why Pete is concerned. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published... read more Puzzle Pete’s Favorite Document, Lois E. Wilson Use the numbered clues to find the 5-letter answers to this word chain puzzle. The last letter of each is the first letter of the next word. Work up and down. The puzzle is started for you. Solve it correctly, then reading down, the first letters of the answers spell out what Pete reveres as a special historical document. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition... read more Mind, Body, Soul… And Again, Zen! By Mona Lease Greetings, gals!! I never realized how much I factored these columns into my daily life. I pick up "tidbits' here and there to store them away for sharing with you readers later. Then countynewsonline had an internet glitch:((  I actually had the opportunity to practice a few of these adages - namely: "In calmness and tranquility, make good use of this wondrous day... read more Interesting View! By Mona Lease Hi, all!!! The following is from a video I was sent. I found it very interesting. It holds a point or two about which I never thought. See what you think. "This is your first challenge. I'm giving you 30 seconds. I want you to turn to someone sitting near you, next to you, look them in the eye, and say, "When I look at you, I see blank." 30 seconds, GO! (A woman from the... read more Along Life’s Way… Put the “Civil” Back in Discourse, By Lois E. Wilson The late, brilliant political analyst, Charles Krauthammer lives on through his writings and humor. He once observed: “To understand the workings of American politics, you have to understand this fundamental law: Conservatives think liberals are stupid. Liberals think conservatives are evil.” He also wrote: “In explaining any puzzling Washington phenomenon... read more Let Freedom Ring Because..!!! By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! Since this column falls on Independence Day - I thought I'd "mix it up" a tad. A "freedom from" and a "freedom because" type of thing. 10 Foods Made in China To Avoid 1)Tilapia Fish: Toxic. They live in waste water. 2)Cod Fish: They live in waste water. 3)Chinese Apple Juice: High in pesticide content. 4)Processed Mushrooms: Grown in contaminated... read more Mind, Body, Soul… Zen!! By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! I found the following interesting. They are excerpts from "108 Adages of Wisdom." I just like the way they are worded. Our needs are few, our wants are many. Do your utmost, no matter who gains or loses. Compassion has no enemies; wisdom no vexations. The busiest have the most time; the diligent the best health. The charitable are blessed... read more Puzzle Pete’s Sharing Names II, Lois E. Wilson Each person in Column A has a last name that is the first name of the person in Column B. Use the clues for both to solve the puzzle. Work back and forth. The puzzle is started for you. Pete hopes you know these people—past and present. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print and no... read more Reflections… Psychology and Martin Luther King, By Mona Lease Weak people revenge. Strong people forgive. Intelligent people ignore. Only in the darkness can you see the stars. Forgiveness is not an occasional act. It is a permanent attitude. Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend. If I can not do great things, I can do small things in a great way. Hate destroys the hater. Some things are right... read more Wild Cards? By Mona Lease Hi, all!! "God Save the Queen...and the NFL!" And what about the historic Trump-Kim Summit? Are times changing? My musings on these are: The Queen has a say in the affairs of her family - her country. It seems her "blessing" is a much sought after token - a seal of approval. And she approved of Meghan Markle - now Duchess of Cambridge. Meghan Markle was born and... read more Along Life’s Way… Smokey’s Dream: A Fable, Lois E. Wilson Cowboy Buck and his horse, Smokey, had been partners for over seven years. Smokey was satisfied with his life on the ranch. He had fresh grass in the pasture, good hay, and his stall was dry and warm in the winter. Also, there were plenty of good-looking fillies nearby with whom he could flirt. One day he saw Buck go up to the new calendar on the barn wall, pat the... read more Puzzle Pete’s Challenge: Compound Words, Lois E. Wilson In this word chain puzzle, use the numbered clues to find the answers. Each dash stands for a letter. The last part of the compound word is also the first part of the next compound word. The puzzle is started for you. Work up and down. Pete hopes you won’t find it too challenging. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is... read more Mind, Body, Soul… Stayin' Cool, By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! As I write this - it's 95 degrees outside and feels as sticky as flypaper. I'll start there. In this mugginess and heat...keep drinking...lots of water is best. If you're on the scales to see if you have lost any weight...it usually will not show during heat like this. The body holds on to as much water as it can to keep itself hydrated. If you stop sweating - you are... read more Along Life’s Way… Background Music: Is Anyone Listening? By Lois E. Wilson I love music. Specifically, I appreciate it most when performed by itself. Then I can focus on each note and inflection. The mood of a piece swoops one up into the world of the composer and artist. We can soar within the emotion. I do not have difficulty hearing in this context. Often in Hollywood films, TV dramas, commercials, and real-time broadcasts, the... read more A Home and Body Thing, By Mona Lease Hi, all!! With everything that's happening in our world - I thought I'd give you readers a few positives. Enjoy!! 15 Signs Your House is Vulnerable to Being Robbed Your front door Nearly half of burglars enter through the front door. It's easy access. One of four homeowners confesses to frequently leaving the front door unlocked. The majority of burglaries happen between 10 am and 3 pm... read more Puzzle Pete’s June Honorees, © 2018 Lois E. Wilson Use the numbered clues to find the 3-letter answers to this word chain puzzle. The last letter of each is the first letter of the next answer. Work up and down. The puzzle is started for you .Solve it correctly, then reading down, the first letters of the answers spell out Puzzle Pete’s honorees. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print... read more Mind, Body, Soul… Heart Pumpin', By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! I've been hearing some of us gals say they're looking in the mirror and wondering if they'll ever get back to their high school weight. Some of us are sighing and saying they'll be happy to get within 20 pounds of their high school weight. And others say they just don't care. I'm within 7 pounds of my high school weight. I did it just to see if I could keep up with a "food... read more Along Life’s Way… Who Is Lew? A Puzzle/Fable, Lois E. Wilson The question, “Who is Lew?” is a puzzlement. To help you find the answer, here are the things I know about Lew: Through the years, she has always been there for me. We have shared experiences and dreams. Initially, she was an ordinary child. She liked to play the childhood games popular in her generation. She enjoyed school and went to college and... read more Reflections… Movie Stars and Politics, By Mona Lease Doryphore (n.): Someone who derives intense satisfaction from pointing out the errors of others. Here's to all the Mom who: Made a dinner that no one ate. Didn't know if they were going to make it until bedtime. Whispered to themselves: "Are you effing kidding me?" when their kids were fighting over the most insignificant things. Lost their patience... read more A Reader's Delight, By Mona Lease Hi, all!! People are being told to evacuate Hawaii...lava is flowing in the streets. Wildfires burn out of control and people in California are being told they cannot travel to Oklahoma. Trump talks with China's Prefect are on and off and on...geesh! With this in mind...for you readers out there...choose a good book and an iced tea. Happy perusing, ya'll!! 50 Books to Read Before You're 50... read more Along Life’s Way… The Boy Who Liked to Count: A Fable, Lois E. Wilson As a baby, his first words were “one” and “two.” Soon he was counting his tiny fingers and toes. Through the years he counted birthday candles. He wanted to help distribute Christmas gifts which he counted to ensure that no one was slighted. In kindergarten he counted his classmates to compare the number of girls to the number of boys. He counted the coins in his... read more Mind, Body, Soul… Spicy Thinking, By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! To you guys out there: I don't care if you read these columns. Don't be embarrassed. Don't think these columns will turn your gal into a desirable woman with the idea of turning other guys' head just to make you jealous. The point of this column is to consider how we - as women - can bring harmony to our ever-changing beings...mind, body, soul. I thought... read more Puzzle Pete’s and CNO’s Goal, Lois E. Wilson Use the numbered clues to find the 6-letter answers to this word chain puzzle. The last letter of each is the first letter of the next word. Work up and down. The puzzle is started for you. Solve it correctly, then reading down, the first letters of the answers spell out a goal of Pete’s and County News Online. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of... read more Along Life’s Way… Coming Out: A Fable, Lois E. Wilson The parents had recently seen a change in their son. He had different companions and was away from home more. He asked for time alone with them as he had something important he wanted to tell them. They thought they knew what he was going to disclose, but they were liberal in philosophy and were ready to accept him and love him no matter what... read more For Humanity's Sake, By Mona Lease Hi, all!! WARNING: Graphic content. Not for the faint-of-heart. On Friday, May 26th - in Noblesville, Indiana - in a science classroom at the Middle School.... a student asks to be excused from the class. He is excused. He returns to the classroom with a handgun in each hand and starts firing. A 13 year old girl takes 6 - SIX - 6 bullets from him. The Teacher takes 3 bullets. After the... read more Along Life’s Way… Should We Sit This One Out? By Lois E. Wilson Recently, a research study about the results of too much sitting was published.  Do sedentary habits adversely affect the brain? Thirty-five cognitively healthy people were studied—25 women and 10 men, ages 45 to 75. They were given physical activity questionnaires and MRI brain scans. They reported sitting an average of 3 to 15 hours per day... read more Mind, Body, Soul… Close Escape!! By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! Noblesville, Indiana Middle School had a student brandish a gun in the school. A teacher and a 13 year old girl were shot before the injured teacher wrestled the "teen-gunman" to the ground - getting the gun away from him. The girl is still in the hospital in critical condition.... as I write this. The teacher was released 24 hours after his admission to the hospital. With... read more Puzzle Pete’s Advice to Graduates, Lois E. Wilson Use the numbered clues to find the 5-letter answers to this word chain puzzle. The last letter of each is the first letter of the next answer. Work up and down. The puzzle is started for you. Solve it correctly, then reading down, the first letters of the answers spell out Pete’s advice. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is... read more A New Direction?? By Mona Lease Hi, all!! I've been hearing that a lot of people are dealing with a lot of things... depression, sickness, envy, etc. Some days - I think it might be just as good to turn off the tv... to turn off the computer and read a book... maybe Winnie the Pooh. Be soft. Do not let the world make you hard. Do not let the pain make you hate. Do not let the bitterness steal your sweetness. Take pride that... read more Along Life’s Way… The No-show: A Fable, Lois E. Wilson The ventriloquist had worked for years perfecting his craft. He mastered not moving his lips when he spoke or sang. He developed different dummy characters with different voices—females with high pitch and males with low pitch ranges. He had Flirty Flora and Grumpy Gus, each costumed appropriately to the character portrayed. He first gained fame by winning... read more 500 for Pete Word Chain Puzzle, Lois E. Wilson Use the numbered clues to find the 4-letter answers to this word chain puzzle. The last letter of each is the first letter of the next answer. Work up and down. The puzzle is started for you. Solve it correctly, then reading down, the first letters of the answers spell out what “500” means to Puzzle Pete. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published... read more Reflections… Monkeys and Indians, By Mona Lease When the earth is ravaged and the animals are dying, a new tribe of people shall come unto the earth from many colors, classes, creeds, and who by their actions and deeds shall make the earth green  again. They will be known as "The Warriors of the Rainbow." - Old Native American Prophesy; You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...until you climb inside... read more Mind, Body, Soul… United We Stand? By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! Keep reaching. Keep stretching!! As I pen this - Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been married a little over 24 hours. Congrats to them!! I'm not going to trace all of the stuff that's been said about Meghan. We know she was an accomplished actress. And she was married to film producer Trevor Engelson. Disclaimer: From here forward...I'm not saying... read more Along Life’s Way… Mind over Matter: A Fable, Lois E. Wilson Their four year old, Tommy, was a busy, inquisitive boy. He liked to explore objects to find out how they work and many situations intrigued him. One Saturday he went out to play on his tricycle and was distracted by the pretty yellow flowers in his mother’s garden. He thought he’d surprise her and pick her a bouquet. He pinched or broke off every blossom that had... read more Of Coos and Bricks, By Mona Lease Hi, all!! From the pictures and information that supported last week's column...I'm submitting this column. There are some 500+ pictures from the "J" Birds'  jaunt across Scotland. The following is purely my observation. In the picture of Highland Park Distillery - you'll see the wrought iron sign post says the distillery was established in 1798. This makes the distillery 220+ years old... read more Puzzle Pete’s Sharing Names, Lois E. Wilson Each person in Column A has a last name that is the first name of the person in Column B. Use the clues for both to solve the puzzle. Work back and forth. The people are from the past and present. The puzzle is started. Pete hopes you don’t get stuck in the middle. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is... read more Mind, Body, Soul… Hints and Trees, By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! So along with changing or improving our physical body, I thought I'd give you something to think about concerning our speech. Also - since warm weather is here and trees have "leafed out" - I'm including a list of trees people in other states are calling their shade trees. Each State's Official Tree - MSA.com Alabama: Southern Longleaf Pine Alaska... read more Along Life’s Way… Whatever Happened to Assimilation?, By Lois E. Wilson “Assimilate” is defined as absorbing into the culture and mores of a population or group; to make a part of; to take into the mind and thoroughly comprehend. The diverse beginnings of our nation became stronger as its residents realized they could accomplish more together than apart. Therefore the United States grew out of this concept. People from many... read more The "J" Birds, By Mona Lease Hi, all!! A trip back in time is in order here to understand this column. The United KIngdom includes Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Each has retained their individual lore and heritage. According to rock-n-roll legend, Rod Stewart... when he started making "real" money...he bought a fancy sports car...to "pull" the birds. "Birds" are pretty young women. And so begins... read more Puzzle Pete’s May Observation, Lois E. Wilson Use the clues in the left column to find the 4-letter answers to this word chain puzzle. The last letter of each is the first letter of the next word. Work up and down. The puzzle is started for you. Puzzle Pete says, “Solve it correctly, then reading down, the first letters of the answers reveal whom we celebrate this month. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition... read more Along Life’s Way… Josephine: My Educator Mother, By Lois E. Wilson My mother, Josephine, was born at Somerset, Indiana. She was the third child and the oldest girl of eleven children. At age twelve, on Saturdays, she worked for others doing a washboard laundry for 25 cents. Her high school years she worked for four families in the area. She was determined to go to college. The sorority of one of her employers loaned her $200 and she received... read more Mind, Body, Soul… Who Would Have Thought?? By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! Keep reaching, keep stretching - summer is here!! Life Changes You Should Make After 50 - The Active Times Don't smoke, eat better, exercise, and sleep more - these are often referred to as the basics of longevity, but the reality is a little more complex. Add better food to your diet. See the good, not the bad. Exercise a little bit every day. Prioritize strength... read more Reflections… A Little Rain, A Little Sun, By Mona Lease Anxiety Girl!! Able to jump to the worst possible conclusion in a single bound! - Peace, Love, and Everything Else Don't be so quick to believe everything you here...because lies always spread faster than truth. - Peace, Love, and Everything Else I'm so lucky people can't hear what I'm thinking. - Halos and Horns Fun Page If you could kick the person in the pants... read more Could It Be So?? By Mona Lease Hi, all!! The following is purely my conjecture - purely my wondering after studying our past as a country - our past as a people. President Trump - while on his campaign trail - said he was going to "reorganize" the welfare system...or some other "re" word meaning he was going to change it. Everyone at his rallies was fine with it...they clapped loudly. He said he was going to... read more Along Life’s Way… What’s the Deal Here? A Fable, Lois E. Wilson President Art Deal was leading the country after a hard fought win in the election. The opposition was still in shock and wondering, what happened? It seemed to regularly offer different reasons for its loss. The anti-Dealers believed they had gotten a raw deal, been dealt a poor hand so to speak. They had at least one reliable entity to advance their case—the... read more Puzzle Pete’s May Event, © 2018 Lois E. Wilson Pete likes to watch a sporting event each May. Use the numbered clues to find the 4-letter answers to this word chain puzzle. The last letter of each is the first letter of the next answer. Work up and down. The puzzle is started for you. Solve it correctly, then reading down, the first letters of the answers spell out Pete’s May event. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes... read more Mind, Body, Soul… More of the "Chasing Health", By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! More women that I speak to are saying they want to get in shape, lose weight, "tone-up"...and such. Consider the following while I work my way out of a pretzel shape. Who knew Yoga's "Half-Lotus" position would cause full trouble if you aren't prepared?! 9 Signs You're In Good Shape - Even If You Think You Aren't You're working out, trying to eat healthy... read more Along Life’s Way… The Mystic Monkeys: A Fable, Lois E. Wilson A mother and her twelve year old daughter had stopped at a garage sale to look around. The girl, with a little statue in her hand, rushed over and said, “Mom, look at these cute monkeys! This was on the 50-cent table, may I buy it?” Her mother smiled, “Yes, I know those monkeys well. Buy it and I’ll share their stories with you.” Back in the car, her daughter turned the... read more On The Patio, By Mona Lease I've been hearing people say they want to be outside - in the sun - or on the patio or deck...sipping coffee, tea or a "brewskie." For fun, I thought I'd let you readers consider the following. Best Breweries In Every State Alabama: Good People Brewing Alaska: Midnight Sun Brewing Company Arizona: Arizona Wilderness Brewing Company Arkansas: Ozark Brewing Company California... read more Puzzle Pete’s Double Alphabet 4-Letter Scramble, Lois E. Wilson Pete says complete the 4-letter answers using the clues. The last letter is given. Each answer starts with a different letter of the alphabet. Cross off each letter as it is used. Start with answers you know for certain. Pete hopes it doesn’t scramble your brain. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print... read more Along Life’s Way… We’re All Guinea Pigs, By Lois E. Wilson Every day I become more aware how individuals are thought of by commerce and government. Each of us is a source for preferences, information, and actions they wish to discover by data-mining and research. There is no doubt that we are studied creatures, and our data is a product to sell and exploit. I don’t know if I’m a guinea pig or a lab rat—neither is a role I willingly accept... read more Mind, Body, Soul… Etiquette? By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! Spring is closer...can't ya just smell it?!! Keep exercising...keep stretching. Your goals are within reach!! WARNING: Graphic content to follow. 15 Food Etiquette Mistakes Everyone Makes 1)Not taking small sips. 2)Not removing the stir stick from your cocktail. 3)Not using the stem on your stemware. 4)Not breaking your bread. 5)Not knowing where your bread... read more Reflections… When You Decide, By Mona Lease We do not remember the days, we remember moments. - C. Pavese Every time you find some humor in a difficult situation, you win. - Sue Fitzgerald Sometimes we may love the wrong person, cry for the wrong person. But, one thing is sure. Mistakes help us find the right person. - Halos and Horns Fun Page Tell my mistakes to me, not others. Because my mistakes... read more Ain't No Sunshine, By Mona Lease Hi, all!! As I pen this...it has finally stopped raining...for the moment. And President Trump ordered air strikes against Syrian President Assad's chemical warfare on his own citizens. At least we have a couple allies in this maneuver. They say music hath charms to soothe the savage breast. Since I can't play these for you...see if you remember any of the following. Best Songs of 1984... read more Puzzle Pete’s Question about Peter Rabbit, © 2017 Lois E. Wilson Use the numbered clues to find the 5-letter answers to this word chain puzzle. The last letter of each is the first letter of the next word. Work up and down. The puzzle is started for you. Solve it correctly, then reading down, the first letters of the answers spell out the answer to Pete’s question about Peter Rabbit, “Can he dance?” Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1... read more Mind, Body, Soul… Toys?!! By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! As I pen this - it's a rainy day. I found the following on the internet. It made me think of childhood days when the rain (snow, sleet...whatever...it didn't make a difference to us kids!) was not a problem. What happened?? Older Toys With Insane Values 1)Garbage Pail Kids Cards: Parents might not have liked these cards. An entire 1985 Garbage... read more Along Life’s Way… Wright’s Rite of Passage: A Fable, Lois E. Wilson By all rights, Helen loved her last name “Wright.” She was proud of other Wrights such as Orville and Wilbur Wright, actress Teresa Wright, and architect Frank Lloyd Wright. At times she was tempted to call famous Wrights her kin, but she didn’t think that was right-minded. She enjoyed studying about the Wrights’ careers and liked to write stories about them. To her... read more Spring, Didja Get Lost?!! By Mona Lease Hi, all!! Warm weather, cold weather, snow, sun here and sun gone...Whew!! With that in mind, I thought we'd take a tour of some cities. Got your seatbelts on and buckled?!! Best Cities to Retire In 1)Venice, Florida: It was developed in 1925 by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers as a planned retirement community. Lots of sand and sun!! 2)Tucson, Arizona: Having sunshine... read more Along Life’s Way… Victim or Victor? By Lois E. Wilson We hear a lot on the news about Generation Snowflake. A Snowflake is defined as one who easily takes offense, is less resilient, and is emotionally vulnerable to views that challenge their own. The parents of Snowflakes may have stressed their child’s uniqueness to such a degree that it developed within the child a lack of flexibility. Snowflakes hold protests... read more Puzzle Pete Says, It’s All About “Me.” Lois E. Wilson Use the clues in the left column to solve the answer words. They are in alphabetical order with “me” placed where occurring in each word. Each dash stands for a letter. Pete hopes you don’t get frustrated and say, “Oh me!” Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print and no longer available, however... read more Mind, Body, Soul… A Road Less Traveled?? By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! A girlfriend of 32 years called to apologize to me. I'm not really used to being the one to receive the apology. I'm usually the one doing the apologizing. I accepted the apology. Then we had a really interesting conversation. We got to talking about how our home life was in our rearing years. It probably started in the 1940s. The US declared war on Japan on... read more Along Life’s Way… Neutering Webster: A Fable, Lois E. Wilson Progressive University’s Gender Neutrality Task Force which consisted of 6 women and 6 men had met several times with no agreement on how best to cleanse the dictionary of gender-biased words. The PU committee was determined to complete this mission at its final meeting before the term ended. One of the women spoke first, “I believe that we need... read more Puzzle Pete’s Spot to Honor This Week, Lois E. Wilson Use the numbered clues to find the 4-letter answers to the word chain puzzle. The last letter of each is the first letter of the next answer. Work up and down. The puzzle is started for you. Solve it correctly, then reading down, the first letters of the answers spell out what Pete is honoring this week. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of... read more A Story, By Mona Lease Hi, all!! WARNING...Graphic Content. The following is true - I promise. An elderly Darke County gentleman I know told me about a guy he knew when he was 20 years old or so. They are both from Darke County. The guy who told me the following is alive. The other guy is long deceased. GI Joe was in WW2. He survived the Bataan Death March. Sometime in 1942...the Japanese... read more Along Life’s Way… Great Times with the Grandchildren, By Lois E. Wilson We were blessed with five grandchildren and have had wonderful times with all of them as they grew up. One son has two daughters. The oldest we watched take her first solo steps. She was lured across the floor with a few seedless grapes. Once I took care of the girls at their home while their parents went on a business trip. I was told by their mother that I was to... read more Mind, Body, Soul… What's In a Name? By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! As I write this...it's Easter...or Resurrection Sunday...or Passover. I've heard so much negativity..."it's this, not that"..."it's this or that but not that one, it's pagan." So - Happy whatever you're going to call it. I thought I'd write to ya'll while I'm waiting for the potato salad I made from scratch to chill. I'm having that, barbequed pork ribs, dinner rolls and a... read more Reflections… Finding Peace, By Mona Lease "If you cannot find peace within yourself, you will never find it anywhere else." - Marvin Gaye - Dear Optimist, Pessimist, and Realist: While you were arguing about the glass of water, I drank it. Sincerely, the Opportunist. - Sexy Bipolar Broads - Ray and Bob, two government maintenance guys, were standing at the base of a flagpole. A woman walked... read more What Does Puzzle Pete Celebrate on April 1st? Lois E. Wilson Use the numbered clues to find the three-letter answers to this word chain puzzle. The last letter of each is the first letter of the next answer. Work up and down. The puzzle is started for you. Solve it correctly, then reading down, the first letters of the answers spell out why Pete is happy on April 1st. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of... read more A Trend?? By Mona Lease Hi, all!! The following is more of my conjecture...more of my wondering. So...students in Florida are calling on politicians to enact stricter laws concerning buying guns. Why? Rumors include Oprah donating millions to this cause. In Darke County, a young Mother has a daughter and is married to the Father. They got into an argument in a park. He slapped her open-handed. The Police... read more Along Life’s Way… The Quest for the Super Sense: A Fable, Lois E. Wilson His father said, “Son, it is time for me to give you the quest I was given by my father when I was your age.  We have been given a ‘super sense.’ Your task is to go out into the world and find it. Once you do and use it well, your life will be better.” The lad was puzzled, but he liked challenges. So he went forth. He thought, “I know there are five senses. Perhaps the... read more Mind, Body, Soul… Hello, Spring!! By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! If you've kept up with the stretch and relaxation exercises from last fall...we should all be in pretty decent shape to face spring and the warm-weather clothes. With this in mind...see if there is anything in the following to help you stay fit and trim...mind, body, soul. 12 Steps to Self Care 1)If it feels wrong...don't do it. 2)Say exactly what you mean. 3)Don't be... read more Along Life’s Way… A Pressing Matter/A Special Woman, By Lois E. Wilson Reading through a journal I kept in 1964, I was amazed at how many days I had entered, “did ironing.” In my teen years, like most of us, I ironed on an ironing board with an electric iron which had heat settings for various fabrics. We also had a Sears mangle iron in our kitchen. You sat in front of it and fed flat items through it to remove their wrinkles. Now I rarely... read more Puzzle Pete Says: Elevate Your Brain Power, Lois E. Wilson Complete the 5-letter words below using the clues in the left column. Each word’s starting letter is given. All answer words end in “L.”  Pete claims it’s all “L-emental.” Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print and no longer available, however Volumes 2-6 are available and are offered as a... read more For A While, By Mona Lease Hi, all!! The following is purely my opinion. It's also what I have witnessed during my time on this earth. I am more than a little tired of hearing this or that is "offensive" to me. Life is full of "offensive things"...and paying attention to them is what has gotten us where we are as a country. Women working in a factory during WW1 was "offensive"...for a while. Women getting the... read more Along Life’s Way… The CIC’s New Clothes: a Fable, Lois E. Wilson After a surprise win, the new Commander in Chief was forming a team to advance his agenda toward greatness for the country. Prior to his election, some embedded opposition members had devised a back-up insurance plan to undermine and unseat him should he win. It was a plan that they thought would never have to be put into action. His election changed that... read more Mind, Body, Soul… At Your Own Pace, By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! I'm submitting the following for you to consider...see how it might fit into your life. Keep the mind and the body healthy. The rest will fall into place. No person has the right to condemn you on how you repair your heart or how long you choose to grieve, because no one knows how much you're hurting. Recovery takes time, and everyone heals at his or... read more Puzzle Pete Asks, “What’s This Month’s Drink?” Lois E. Wilson Use the numbered clues to find the 4-letter answers to this word chain puzzle. The last letter of each is the first letter of the next word. Work up and down. The puzzle is started for you. Solve it correctly, then reading down, the first letters of the answers spell out what Pete thinks the beverage for March might be. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes... read more Not the IRS/Not the Electric Company, By Mona Lease Hi, all!! I got five phone calls from 651-762-3466...in one day! It's a Minnesota phone number. They never leave a message. The next day I received three phone calls from the same number. I called this phone number. It is a "non-working" phone number within the XcelEnergy, Inc company. They are an electric/natural gas company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. For two... read more Along Life’s Way… No Time for Bullies: a Fable, By Lois E. Wilson It was the second week of the school year. The teacher had noticed that there was at least one case of bullying in the class. She decided to deal with it promptly. Two twelve-year-old boys were always at odds. They didn’t share friends. In fact, the older boy, Guy, had many buddies with whom he did everything. He called his group, Guy’s Gang. They loved to skateboard. The other boy... read more Mind, Body, Soul… The Crow and Enlightenment, By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! Spring might not have "sprung" but, - she's definitely letting us know she's knocking at the door! As I pen this - it's 45 degrees and sunny. I'm reminded of all of the "stuff we need for the warm weather"...new clothes, thinner bodies, less wrinkles, a steady smile, etc. Consider the following. 10 Myths Blocking Your Enlightenment - Myth #1 - You... read more Puzzle Pete Sails the “C’s” A to Z, Lois E. Wilson Complete the 7-letter answers starting with “C” by using the clues in the left column. The letters of the alphabet appear in sequence as the third letter of each answer. Pete says that when you’re done, he’ll “C” you later! Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print and no longer available, however Volumes... read more To Buy or Not, By Mona Lease Hi, all!!  With all of the hype concerning our "2nd Amendment rights" - who should be allowed to buy a gun and the like...I submit the following to you readers for your perusal and consideration. How to Buy a Gun in 15 Countries..Excerpts United States: 1)Pass an instant background check that includes criminal convictions, domestic violence, and immigration status. 2)Buy a gun... read more Mind, Body, Soul… Just Dance! By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals! Consider the following as we seek to shed the old and put on the new. I Worried I worried a lot. Will the garden grow, will the rivers flow in the right direction, will the earth turn as it was taught, and if not, how shall I correct it? Was I right, was I wrong, will I be forgiven, can I do better? Will I ever be able to sing, even the sparrows can do it and... read more Along Life’s Way… Just Sign on the Line? By Lois E. Wilson Nearly forty years ago, I was hired by the School of Nursing at Wright State University to design and develop a newsletter to promote that college. After accomplishing the goal, I became the Assistant to the Dean of the School of Nursing. The dean at the time had recruited several PhD and highly qualified Masters Degree nurses to implement the school’s... read more Puzzle Pete’s Sports Obsession, Lois E. Wilson Use the numbered clues to find the 5-letter answers to this word chain puzzle. The last letter of an answer word is also the first letter of the next word. Work up and down. The puzzle is started for you. Solve it correctly, then reading down, the first letters of the answers spell out what Pete’s obsession is. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes... read more The Day's End, By Mona Lease Hi, all!!! I just had to share the following with you. 50 Questions to Ask Your Kids After School Instead of "How Was Your Day?" 1)What made you smile today? 2)Can you tell me an example of kindness you saw or showed? 3)What did you do that was creative? 4)Who did you sit with at lunch? 5)Was anyone in your class gone today? 6)Tell me something that you know today... read more Reflections… A Hobbit's House, By Mona Lease "You might think you don't matter in this world, but because of you someone has a favorite mug to drink their tea out of each morning that you bought them. Someone hears a song on the radio and it reminds them of you. Someone has read a book that you recommended to them and gotten lost in it's pages. Someone remembered a joke that you told them and... read more Mind, Body, Soul… To Consider, By Mona Lease Greetings, Gals!! I'm submitting the following to you readers. Times are pretty "emotion-draining." We need to take care of our bodies and minds. It's hard to sort through all of the "who really said what"... regarding the Florida school shooting, our government, etc. Enjoy the following and be safe, ya'll!! 14 Worst Habits For Your Heart (besides smoking) 1)You don't sleep ... read more Along Life’s Way… All Hands on Deck: A Fable, By Lois E. Wilson Once upon a time, there was a young handmaiden. She was poor and aspired to improve her lot in life. She had dated two cowhands, but with either one of them she saw only living hand to mouth and a future of handouts and hand-me-downs. They were prone to hand-to-hand confrontations and were often away on cattle drives in the outback. It seemed ... read more Puzzle Pete’s Alphabet Scramble: Containing “ST”, Lois E. Wilson Complete the 5-letter words containing the letters “st.” by using the clues in the left column. The letters “st” are placed where they appear in the answer words. Each answer begins with a different letter of the alphabet. Cross off each letter as it is used. Start with those you know for certain. Pete hopes you don’t go down the wrong “st.” Wilson's completed set of books has a new ... read more It's Strange, By Mona Lease Hi, all!! This time around I'm just giving you readers some things to consider. I am personally tired of "gun control"...Russian hacking and the like. Consider... "It's Strange: It's strange how $20 seems like such a large amount when you donate it to a church, but such a small amount when you go shopping. It's strange how two hours seems so long at church and ... read more Along Life’s Way… Outside Is Good for the Inside, By Lois E. Wilson On this winter day, I am thinking of spring and the pleasure outside work has given me over the years. When I was five, my dad taught me how to dig dandelions and paid me five cents for every fifty I dug. It was a depression era wage! A few years later Abie, a yard worker for us, showed me how to edge garden beds and trim shrubbery into desired shapes. After Abie retired, I took over those ... read more To see Archives for the Previous Month's Seniors... click here   County News Online is a Fundraiser for the Senior Scribes Scholarship Committee. All netprofits go into a fund for Darke County Senior Scholarships contact Copyright © 2011 and design by cigs.kometweb.com