Of all the things you associate with this time of year, the start of bird courtship in the outdoors probably isn’t one of them. more

See what’s going on in Polk County! Mark your calendars for these upcoming events. Some events may require registration or admission fees; please contact the organization for more details. more

“Violent Night” doesn’t have it in itself to be the best naughty Christmas movie ever made, so it tries to compensate by being every naughty Christmas movie ever made. more

What could I write about this week other than this fateful date in 1941, the Sunday morning Japanese bombers attacked Pearl Harbor, the date President Franklin D. Roosevelt called a “Day of Infamy,” the date the United States of America was plunged into a world war? more

Every now and then, I run across a seemingly random fact that takes up residence in my head – like elephants can’t jump. (It’s physically impossible for them.) Or the fact that certain types of trees won’t let the tips of their highest branches touch the trees next to them – a phenomenon called “crown shyness.” And this week I’ve added another odd fact to my growing collection: A new study finds that octopuses are one of a small group of animals that can purposefully throw things at targets. more

I thought one of the perks of making it to middle age would be that we no longer have to suffer the indignities of puberty. No more awkward body changes. No more hormone-induced mood swings. Isn’t time and experience supposed to make us more comfortable in our own skin? more

The onslaught of December holiday parties, work functions, and family gatherings is in full swing. more

If you grew up more than 50 years ago you are likely a storehouse of obsolete, if not completely worthless, skills. more

It’s highly unlikely many people would mention field mice if they were asked to make a list of Missouri’s most important wild mammals. more

Hearken, America, to what I say, more

It’s not uncommon for folks with farms or gardens to bring homegrown foods to the Thanksgiving dinner table. It’s also traditional that we, with a connection to the soil, offer heartfelt thanks to God for whatever bounty He provides in any season. more

Studies have linked the attitude of thankfulness with a variety of positive effects. more

November 14, 2022, veterans were honored at Bolivar High School for their service to our country. more

At Sac River Cowboy Church, there are two flags. The American flag and the Christian flag. They fly side by side from flagpoles outside our church. They hang side by side on one wall inside our church. more

I love a good list. I like jotting it down. I like looking it over each day. And I absolutely love marking through completed tasks with an assertive, bold marker scribble – as if my productivity has literally obliterated it. more

I should not need to break the law to drive safely. more

When I get up, brush my teeth, and look in the mirror – there she is. The control freak. Just staring back at me, probably criticizing my technique. more

Giving deer one less reason to congregate is a good way to slow the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD); a disease that’s spread by deer-to-deer contact. That’s the rationale behind the regulation prohibiting the feeding of deer that’s in effect in parts of Missouri. more

As a U.S. Air Force veteran — not a war hero or anything close — I appreciate veteran discounts at places such as Freddy’s restaurants and Lowe’s building supply. Though not handicapped, I don’t hesitate to use parking reserved for veterans, either. more

The Missouri Department of Conservation’s ongoing search for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is once again in the news as hunters prepare for opening weekend of the November firearms deer season. more

Most dog trainers say dogs aren’t hard to teach. Their humans, however, are a different story. Almost any dog can be persuaded with the right reward and repetition. But we humans – with our stubbornness, inconsistency, and bad habits – make most things harder than they should be. more

We can’t even get the plumber to call us back, so why would God listen to our prayers? more

THE ROCKWOOD FILES more

 People who made me/Bosses more

The Birdhouse more