I can’t remember a time when I didn’t know how to sew. By age five, my mother had put a needle and thread in my hand and showed me how to stitch fabric. Monday, April 23, 2018
Yesterday, I made a list. Sure, I’ve made lots of lists over the years, but yesterday I made another one. I really needed to because a lot of ideas, concerns, project details, and general “miscellaneous” stuff kept bouncing around in my head. Friday, April 20, 2018
Well let’s think about it for a moment... He had the money... He had the skills to ride... Ride with the wind in his face... He did not have much time to ride... But he could make time... Sunday, April 15, 2018
Working on a puzzle is fun. Solving a puzzle is even more fun. This week, some friends’ nine-year old son solved a Rubrik’s Cube for the first time. He was grinning from ear to ear! Kudos and my hat off to him. Friday, April 13, 2018
A candidate for Sheriff says he objects to our article about his candidacy. We stand by our article being factual, but we are happy to publish his comments. Thursday, April 12, 2018
“Hi. It’s Capitol One. Did you just spend $19.99 at iTunes with card ending 5206?” When I woke up to this text last Thursday, I knew it wasn’t going to be a good day. Tuesday, April 10, 2018
I recently talked with a young lady who is going through a divorce. She wishes to remain anonymous because she had been in a verbally abusive marriage for six years, thinking all the time that it would get better. (1 comments) Sunday, April 08, 2018
This week Judge shares one of her writings from 2018 reminding us about how we need to think before we dump divorce fall-out on children. Sunday, April 08, 2018
People will do incredible things to avoid pain – to avoid the anticipation of pain – to avoid the thought of pain. Instead of going forward into a seemingly tough situation, they avoid it like the plague and do nothing. Friday, April 06, 2018
Thank you for the outstanding coverage of the West vs. Midwest 1A All-Star Basketball Games. Each year it gets bigger and bigger. Tuesday, April 03, 2018
If you have a child with special needs, a trust may be a financial priority. There are many crucial goods and services that Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income will not pay for, and a special needs trust may be used to address that financial challenge. Monday, April 02, 2018
Dale Levins, who used to live in Ontario, Canada, tells me that a few years ago when his children were very young they were traveling to Myrtle Beach Travel Park for vacation. On the way they had stopped at a camp site in Virginia for the night. Sunday, April 01, 2018
In the immortal words of the singer, Prince, “Dearly Beloved – We are gathered here, today, to get through this thing called ‘Life’!” And that’s where the goodness of reunions come in. When people get together, it’s a great time of laughter, memories, crying, hugs, high-fives, and smiles. Friday, March 30, 2018
Sir Elton John is retiring. Yes, the Honky Cat is calling it quits after nearly 50 years on the road, and I can’t say I blame him. Wednesday, March 28, 2018
There were farms all about… Tobacco and cotton… Pigs and cows… Dirt roads and quiet people… People worked hard on the farms… Went to church on Sunday… Sunday, March 25, 2018
Hearing millions of raindrops fall is an incredible sound…and each kind of roof on a house produces a distinct, recognizable sound. Rain on a tin roof make a louder, more hollow sound than an asphalt shingle roof. Both are beautiful, but both are different. Friday, March 23, 2018
Bob Gardner, Executive Director of the National Federation of State High School Associations and Que Tucker, Commissioner of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association address a common misunderstanding that potentially affects dozens, if not hundreds, of families who are spending thousands of dollars a year for their children to play club sports. Tuesday, March 20, 2018
Retirement planning is not entirely financial. Your degree of happiness in your “second act” may depend on some factors you cannot quantify. Here are a few of those factors as well as the questions they may end up provoking in your mind. Monday, March 19, 2018
This was a very strange place... The other girls must be from a city... The halls were long... No windows… just doors in the halls... Sunday, March 18, 2018
“Pi” (or 3.14...) is one of the more interesting numbers that we know of. And ironically, once a year, a day pops up (March 14) that reminds us of some of the uniqueness in our universe. Friday, March 16, 2018
Dare I say it? Newton is a food desert. It’s been that way since Harris-Teeter left. A “food desert” is one of those trendy labels meant to shame corporations for pulling out of less-than profitable locations. Wednesday, March 14, 2018
Did you watch the Oscars last Sunday night? I didn’t, but while I was on the internet Monday, I saw a header for the best dressed ladies at the Oscars. Naturally I had to click on it to see who had the most beautiful gown. Sunday, March 11, 2018
Summer of 1950... She was told that changes were coming... After being in a house... A house with both parents..24-7... Mama was going to work... Sunday, March 11, 2018
Much has been written about the classic financial mistakes that plague start-ups, family businesses, corporations, and charities. Aside from these blunders, there are also some classic financial missteps that plague retirees. Monday, March 05, 2018
It may sound corny, but America’s Pastor was one of my heroes, a man of integrity in a world where sincerity and humbleness are extremely difficult to find. Tuesday, February 27, 2018
She sat on the porch... Coffee cup in hand... Birds eating on the bird feeders... Age 76 was not all bad... Few new pains but... But she could walk... She was not in a nursing home... Not all bad... Sunday, February 25, 2018
As I look out my family room window this morning, I see our beautiful pear tree in full bloom with white petals in abundance. Sunday, February 25, 2018
In the wake of the Florida school shooting, with emotions running high, it’s crazy to even bring up the subject, for who am I to understand gun control law or what makes mass killers do what they do? Tuesday, February 20, 2018
Are the days of itemizing over? Not quite, but now that H.R. 1 (popularly called the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act) is the law, all kinds of itemized federal tax deductions have vanished. Monday, February 19, 2018
She looked out the window... She sat and watched the snow... Slowly it fell... The snow was slower than her thoughts... Her brain raced... Flashback is often speedy... Sunday, February 18, 2018
As funerals are being held for those who died in this week's school shooting in Florida, some have said "let the families grieve, now is not the time to talk about gun control." We think now is the time to talk about gun control--and more. (1 comments) Saturday, February 17, 2018
Occasionally, throughout history, people have stated that they suddenly had a sense that they needed to get their affairs in order. They couldn’t explain how they knew, or why they knew – but they knew. Friday, February 16, 2018
Well folks this is not news... We have heard it many times... Once again I offer this thought... If you are unhappy... If you are happy... This too will pass... It has its season... Sunday, February 11, 2018
In his book, Imagine, author Jonah Lehrer describes a number of stories and situations where people unlocked their creativity, in order to get back on track. Friday, February 09, 2018
Recently my friend I’ll call “Mrs. T” and I went on another of our infamous shopping forays out of town. I’m usually the buyer, she is usually the partner in crime, the bad influence when it comes to gratuitous buying. Tuesday, February 06, 2018
How much does the average American household have in the bank? Estimates vary, but the short answer to this question is “not enough.” Monday, February 05, 2018
A friend gave Paulette this account of the Topsail Sound Pier collapse on July 4, 1987 where she, at age five, and her family were gathered to see the fireworks. Sunday, February 04, 2018
The voters of Gaston County will have the opportunity on May 8th to vote on a $250 million school bond referendum--and on possibly adding a quarter-cent to the sales tax in that county. We believe Lincoln County should vote on the local option sales tax, too. Sunday, February 04, 2018
As the death toll from this year's flu outbreak continues to rise, here's more information about the flu shot you may find useful. Saturday, February 03, 2018
Ever had an idea that’s pursued you for a long time? An invention? A puzzle? A quest? If so, good! And, you’re not alone. True, everybody has ideas. But, not all ideas are ones that we come up with. Friday, February 02, 2018
It's one thing to make a decision--however wrong--not to get a flu shot. It's quite another to spread misinformation that could endanger the lives of others. Wednesday, January 31, 2018
A humorous poem about taking her grandson out and about for the day and…. Well let’s not tell Mama about the incident at the rest area! Sunday, January 28, 2018
Have you ever wanted to get somewhere or do something, but didn’t know how? Take some time to visualize the whole thing, so your mind can figure out how to reverse engineer and order the steps to make it happen. Friday, January 26, 2018
