My warning bark pierced the morning stillness. From my defensive position by the front window, I could see and hear the beast approaching. My furry legs are short, but my ears are mighty. I’m built for a job such as this. My canine comrades rushed to my side and saw the imminent danger. The big one let loose a string of deep, baritone woofs, and the beagle joined in with his signature howl. more

In between “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” (Star-)lording over the competition and “Fast X” running over anything in its path comes “Book Club: The Next Chapter.” This film’s marketing department looked at a lineup of... more

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. more

The Guardians of the Galaxy were the goofballs of the Marvel Cinematic Universe before “everyone” wanted to be the goofballs of the MCU. The first film from 2014 pulled off the unlikely feat of... more

Family protection occurs in some interesting ways in the bird world. more

Long before Missouri conservation agents would confirm their presence, some of us who hunted the remote woods of Dallas County were certain the hills and hollers along the Niangua River harbored black bears. more

It’s hard to believe that the new big-screen adaptation of the classic Judy Blume novel “Are You There God? It's Me Margaret." made only $6.8 million at the domestic box office this past weekend. The theater where I saw the movie was more crowded than usual, and the audience clearly... more

While on my regular trip to drop off items at the Polk County Recycling Center one day last week, I had the chance to visit with Ben Lee. In case you didn’t realize it, Ben keeps the recycling center organized and operational. He is a good-natured fellow with a great sense of humor, but the other day, he was a little out of sorts. Not the cranky, grumpy kind of out of sorts, and it actually wasn’t him who was out of sorts at all — it’s those of us who use the center! more

It’s weird when a super-low-budget cult movie like 1981’s “The Evil Dead” gets a well-funded... more

In Missouri, any snake found near the water or swimming in it is presumed to be a venomous cottonmouth. more

My dad wouldn’t let me take a typing class in high school. more

When I first heard that there was a movie called “The Pope’s Exorcist,” I thought maybe it was about a guy that performs an exorcism on The Pope. That could be... more

When a person is harmless, people say things like “Oh, she wouldn’t hurt a fly!” Around here, no one says that about me. They’ve seen me in action, and they know – I’m a stone-cold fly killer. more

I last talked to Angela 32 years ago. It was the evening of April 20, 1991. She called to let us know she would be coming home the next day from Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg. more

God makes promises. They are all throughout His word. He speaks His promises through His written word. To some, He speaks through other believers. He may weave them in our dreams or plant a seed in our gut. He finds a way to reveal promises to each of us. When I believe God has promised something or I am praying and seeking something specific, I often struggle with do I pursue it (or Him) fervently or do I wait for it (or Him) patiently? more

For many waterfowl hunters and nature viewers, the wood duck is Missouri’s – and, to a larger extent, North America’s – forgotten conservation success story. more

Last week, I wrote in my review of “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” that I wasn’t really familiar with the “Dungeons & Dragons” game, and that may have affected my enjoyment of the movie. There will be no such disclaimer for “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.” more

A politician friend justifiably took me to task last week about my comments on politicians on April 5. I went back to that previously written column and concluded... more

Dear Editor, HB1169 is a bill that is being considered in Jefferson City designed to protect Missourians against... more

If you’re not planning to plant a tree in the days ahead (or be involved in the planting of one), at least take a moment to think about how important trees are. more

Before this latest freeze, I thought I felt a touch of spring in the air. more

Let me begin by saying that I did not go into “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” familiar with the source material. I certainly knew “of” the famous tabletop game and that it takes place in... more

I was flipping through the pages of my Arm & Hammer Pure Baking Soda “Over 100 Helpful Household Hints” book by Christine Halvorson. It is obviously full of ideas on how to use baking soda. I want to say right now that I don't have any recommendations on which baking soda is the best of the best, but you might guess by the title which one is preferred in this book. There is a recipe for a general purpose cleaner that I thought I would share with you. One teaspoon borax, one teaspoon baking soda, 2 teaspoons vinegar or lemon juice, l/4 teaspoon liquid dish soap and two cups of hot water are the ingredients. It suggests wearing rubber gloves when using this mixture and storing in a spray bottle. There are several other “recipes” for other cleaning projects in the house. more

Aggressive dogs along the Frisco Highline Trail more

Though I've yet to settle on what I want to be when I grow up, I've never wanted to be anyone other than me. more