Reflecting on the old and making plans for the new. That's how we spent the last week of 2007. Not a bad thing — perhaps. We actually took the entire week off. After celebrating Christmas with a number of our children, we parked ourselves on Fort Myers Beach for the week. Alternating with hours of sheer relaxation just gazing at a clear blue sky, we read two books, shared our thoughts and dreams with each other, and listed our goals for the New Year. Although neither one of us is big on making New Year's resolutions, what we did last week felt good. In fact, we're seriously considering taking off the last week of every year. ...more

January 4, 2008

DETAILS, Friday Extra ...more

December 7, 2007

After what seemed like months of a hectic schedule the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and Yours Truly were enjoying a relaxing evening in the parsonage living room catching up on a pile of newspapers. It is amazing to me how much the new news is like the old news, which only increases my admiration for those who write the news. ...more

December 4, 2007

Thanksgiving is a special day for giving thanks for the blessings we have received all year long. It is arguably one of the very few that has not gone completely commercial and a day that most will, after not praying or talking to God on a regular basis, at least thank Him for the the meal and blessings He has bestowed upon us. I am thankful for being able to get up this morning and walk outside and pick up this morning's Tampa Tribune and Highlands Today and read my column. And to the hundreds and hundreds who enjoy reading what I have written, I give you my thanks. I give thanks to God for giving me the good fortune to have such a wonderful wife for the past 25 years and five months. I'm thankful for our children and grandchildren and pray for their good health and happiness. I, and so should you, give Him thanks for our wonderful nation. We should pray that the United States will survive and win the war against terrorism, and regardless of who is going to be the presidential nominees, we will still have the best country on earth. ...more

November 22, 2007

Most people see Thanksgiving as a day set aside to muse on the blessings in their life, but not me. ...more

November 22, 2007

This Thanksgiving Day, as we gather with family and friends to count our blessings, let's give thanks for the bounty we enjoy and not just on this holiday, but every day. ...more

November 18, 2007

Jim McNeil is one of those deeply satisfied folks the rest of us would love to emulate. Long retired, he engages life with optimism and grace, grateful for his blessings and glad to be living in Brandon. ...more

October 8, 2007