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

There’s something about a fourth movie in a series that tends to be dangerous for a franchise’s legacy. more

More and more people are discovering that, when it comes to their lawns and flower gardens, beauty doesn’t have to be imported. more

At our house, we’re sensitive to things that go bump in the night (or the day). Because our 16-year-old daughter has epilepsy and has fallen in the past during seizures, Tom and I have ears that are always listening for a possible thump, bump, crash or anything out of the ordinary. Experience has put us on a hair trigger. more

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. Isaiah: 40:28 more

As we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, it might be a good time to discuss the extraordinary man whose name became part of a cherished holiday — and not only by people of Irish ancestry. As the saying goes, we’re all a little Irish on St. Patrick’s Day. more

What a triple whammy. more

I’m willing to argue that “Scream” is the greatest slasher movie franchise of all time. Not only is the 1996 original a meta-horror classic, but... more

To Whom It May Concern (and you know who you are): more

From the time they were big enough to make their own beds, my girls always had rooms of their own. more

As popular as it is to complain about Hollywood’s lazy reliance on reboots, re-imaginings, spinoffs, and legacy sequels to older properties, all evidence suggests that “Rocky” continuation “Creed” has worked out for the best. more

What would some of us do without worry? In Matthew 6:27, Jesus asked, “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” Worry has no positive side effects. It subtracts moments from your life in heart stress and rising blood pressure. You can’t be happy if you worry. Quit worrying! You can’t be the person God wants you to be if you worry. more

Fear Not… more

A lot of the reviews I’ve seen for “Cocaine Bear” contain some variation on the line, “This movie delivers exactly what it promises.” I’m going to say that’s not entirely true. To be sure, there is a bear high on cocaine in this movie. Nobody is going to say that this movie delivers less than what it promises. more

As a little kid, I loved the book “The Little Engine That Could.” It was published in the 1930s, and it’s a story about the power of positive thinking. The star of the book – a little blue train engine – realizes that when he “thinks he can,” he chugs up the big hill and saves the day. more

According to my Missouri Department of Conservation’s Natural Events Calendar, Monday, March 20 is the first day of spring, and it seems that most of us think we are ready for it! I’m not a big fan of the severe weather that often comes with it, but there sure are a lot of great things about this upcoming season. more