Floridians have an extra gift at Christmas time and all winter long as our gardens still bloom and grow. You might not get a chance to enjoy it on Christmas Eve if you are still busy getting ready but take time tomorrow or as soon as you can to walk in the garden and soak up some of that "peace on earth." ...more

December 23, 2009

While shopping at my local Wal-Mart on Dec. 15 after a long day at work, I was tired, cranky and ready to go home. As I sat in the mile-long line and grumbled to myself about my wait, a lady began to walk up to each customer in the line. As she got closer to me, I noticed a stack of money in her hand. She pulled out a bill and handed it to the young couple behind me. ...more

December 21, 2009

'Tis the season when desperate parents are scrambling to find "LEGO Star Wars: The Visual Dictionary," others are deciding if their friends are $20 or $40 buddies and co-workers must stomach somebody's strange tuna casserole at the potluck holiday lunch. ...more

December 20, 2009

In response to the column by Raleigh Whiteman dated Dec. 3, I'll take the bait. The fact that your children (spouses and grandchildren) are unable to spend Christmas with you is a good sign. They are setting up their own family traditions. It is a tribute to you and their mother. Feel blessed. Forget shopping. You will be wasting a lot of time and money trying to find things they don't need or want. They will also be doing the same for you. As the patriarch of the family, you have an opportunity to change things. Return the real meaning of Christmas; it will be the greatest gift of all. Here are some suggestions: Rather than gift cards, make a donation to a cause they believe in, in their name. Do they love animals? Cancer, diabetes, heart association and Alzheimer's associations are donations well spent (let them know ahead of time that this is your plan this year so they don't waste all their time and money on you.) ...more

December 8, 2009

Meaning of Christmas In response to the column by Raleigh Whiteman dated Dec. 3, I'll take the bait. The fact that your children (spouses and grandchildren) are unable to spend Christmas with you is a good sign. They are setting up their own family traditions. It is a tribute to you and their mother. Feel blessed. Forget shopping. You will be wasting a lot of time and money trying to find things they don't need or want. They will also be doing the same for you. As the patriarch of the family, you have an opportunity to change things. Return the real meaning of Christmas, it will be the greatest gift of all. Here are some suggestions: ...more

December 6, 2009

Tippecanoe County officials may ban manger scenes from the courthouse lawn, but they can't stop the baby Jesus from appearing in the back of a pickup. ...more

December 16, 2008

Pasco County tree farmers will present locally grown Christmas trees to Gov. Charlie Crist and other top state officials at the state Capitol today. ...more

December 4, 2008

With the economy slumping and Christmas right around the corner, many people might be upset, but not Jeff Olsen of Wesley Chapel. He sees this as an opportunity for people to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. ...more

December 4, 2008

With the economy slumping and Christmas right around the corner, many people might be upset, but not Jeff Olsen of Wesley Chapel. He sees this as an opportunity for people to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. ...more

December 3, 2008

You better watch out. There is a new combatant in the Christmas wars. Ads proclaiming, "Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness' sake," will appear on Washington, D.C., buses starting next week and running through December. The American Humanist Association unveiled the provocative $40,000 holiday ad campaign Tuesday. ...more

November 13, 2008