Recently, in a recovery meeting, I was reminded that we as alcoholics and addicts can choose to believe one of two intangible principles — faith or fear. Both are inherently human, one can propel us forward, and the other can debilitate us. I am someone who toggles between the two. At times,…

Mid-March is my target date for planting onions and potatoes. I typically manage a mid-March planting, but the condition of the soil is my primary concern. I will not start digging until the soil dries out and is considered workable.

The 2023 Doolittle Mills Cemetery report was published in the Monday edition of the Perry County News on March 11th. The report can be located on page 2, for those interested.

My orders for onion sets and seed potatoes will arrive next week and will be planted once the soil dries a bit; my favorite summer crops that will be directly seeded in the garden are still in their seed packets waiting for consistently warm weather before they find purchase in the soil. I c…

The following upcoming Easter services have been scheduled at the Bethel Christian Church in Doolittle Mills. Palm Sunday will be observed on Sunday, March 24th during regular worship service time at 9 a.m. CST. A Good Friday Service will be held on Friday, March 29 at 6 p.m. CST. Easter Sun…

For thousands of years, we have used food and herbs which include spices for medicine issues. Today these practices carry over in are in some traditional cultures.

What does it mean to be sober? Not drunk? Not high? Well, of course. That my friends is just the beginning, living sober is much more than not drinking. Living sober is a renewed common courtesy to those around us. It is being aware of our treatment of others and respecting boundaries. This …

Absolutely nothing says spring more than the distant chorus of spring peepers. There is a wooded stream just off Conner Station that is home to a cacophonous band of peepers all competing for as many females as they can lure with their peeping charm. Just last week, on a warm evening, after …

I was just thinking about spring, but then I realized I should just live in the moment and be thankful that I do not have to battle so many weeds time of the year! Spring and cool season weeds will be here soon enough. In fact, it seems like some of them never even disappeared from last fall…

Deepest Sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Henry Whistle of St. Croix due to his recent death. Henry passed away on Saturday morning at the Jewish Hospital in Louisville Ky. Huber Funeral home in Tell City was in charge of funeral arrangements. Visitation for Henry will be thi…

It is that time of year again and I am reminded because of the smell and roadkill left behind. Plus, a strong scent of skunk has been lingering in the pasture this past week. We still get them circling the house on winter evenings, despite the livestock guardian dog’s presence, the lingering…

Recovery from drugs and alcohol isn’t for everyone. Some try and fail, some don’t try at all, and some thrive. There are alcoholics and addicts who will never embrace recovery simply because they don’t want to. Most don’t even deny they should but they never will. Never say never? Maybe, but…

Cut flowers are undoubtedly the most popular manifestation of showing your love for someone on Valentine’s Day but potted flowering plants can do the trick, too. Perhaps the potted bloom has the potential to remind your lover that the sentiment lasts all year…but what does it mean if you can…

Since the weather has been nice the past few days, several people have been out and about enjoying the beautiful weather. Several took hikes and enjoyed the scenery. Some took mini vacations.

A Valentine’s Dinner is being planned at the Bethel Christian Church in Doolittle Mills for this coming Saturday evening, February 10th at 5 p.m. CST. The supper will be held in the church fellowship basement and will include baked spaghetti or chicken alfredo, tossed salad with toppings, ga…

Where does the blame lie in those of us trying to recover from addiction? How many people did we blame for our affliction? How many parents have asked themselves if they are at fault? How is it that peers can drink and drug with abandon and never suffer consequences? How is it that others di…

We have forgone the Irish Spring soap, human hair and coyote urine for more reliable barriers when it comes to protecting trees from deer damage. Tomato cages, tobacco stakes, wire, spiral plastic trunk wrap, and, yes, an occasional arrangement of lawn chairs have created distance between ru…

Sympathy is extended to the family and friends of James C. Underhill who recently away on January 17th at the age of 93. Jim is the son of the late Claude and Eva (Wright) Underhill who was originally from this area. Interment for Jim will be at a later date in the Arlington National Cemetery.

A Valentine’s Dinner is being planned at the Bethel Christian Church in Doolittle Mills for Saturday evening, February 10th at 5 p.m. CST. The supper will be held in the church fellowship basement and will include baked spaghetti or chicken alfredo, tossed salad with toppings, garlic bread, …

Most of us are not fluent in Latin so distinguishing between an Aesculus parviflora and an Aesculus pavia may take some extra effort. Throw hybrids and cultivars into the mix and our plant choices may increase with our confusion.

Charles “Tex” Schnell celebrated his 93rd year of life Charles “Tex” Schnell wanted to give thanks to all the wonderful folks who sent him birthday cards and also to the wonderful folks who called him on the phone and wished him a happy birthday. He is 93 years young. He feels super. He is a…

A Valentine Supper is being planned at the Bethel Christian Church in Doolittle Mills for Saturday evening, February 10th. The supper will be held in the church fellowship basement. Everyone is welcome. More information will follow as the plans are completed.

The ability of insects to survive winter — when so many of them thrive in summer — has always fascinated me. While we would most certainly root for the bees and butterflies my enthusiasm wanes for fleas and ticks. Earlier this winter we were still finding ticks around our cats’ necks (the tw…

Throughout my childhood and into adulthood I suffered from seasonal allergies and even though I had had five years of allergy shots, I still suffered from allergies. While I was studying herbalism with Christopher Hobbs Ph.D., back in the 1990s I developed a love for nettle leaf, because has…

Hopefully everyone made it through the cold spell we had and didnt have too much trouble. Several of the local churches cancelled church services on Sunday morning due to the cold weather.

I have learned to be discerning when it comes to catalog shopping. I steer clear of outrageous or cheap deals. I prefer the specialty catalog where expertise reigns providing us with both a good product and the information to grow it well. I shop locally as much as I can but for some crops, …

Well, you just don’t drink or use drugs, right? Simple enough. Even if you feel the need to take that pain pill or a swig of whiskey before work, you just don’t. In the all too simplistic words of Nancy Reagan, “Just say no.” Give yourself a pep talk when getting up in the morning, “I won’t …

There are no classes scheduled at the present time in our school district of Perry Central for this coming Monday, Jan. 15th in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. However, if a snow make-up day is needed between now and then, the day will be used as such.

Have you noticed a sticky substance on the floor beneath your ficus or philodendron? Are there little scabs on the underside of the leaves of your orchid? Maybe you have noticed that your plants just look a little lack luster. Well, we can blame some of the plant puniness on being a tropical…

A surprise 60th birthday party was held on Saturday evening, Dec. 30th at the Parish Hall in St. Croix for Dewayne Hammond of Doolittle Mills. Several friends and family members were present to help Dewayne celebrate his birthday. Lots of good food, visiting, and fun were enjoyed by all who …

Hopefully everyone had a safe and enjoyable Christmas holiday celebration over the past few days.

Surviving the Holidays in my world is the literal meaning. In the “normal” world it could mean dealing with the stress of it all. Family in town for multiple days, endless hours in the kitchen, not to mention the expense! It can be exhausting but in the end it can be extremely fulfilling. Re…

We all have bad habits. Some people chew their fingernails; others mow their grass too short in the summer. You can guess which one bugs me the most. The odd thing about many of the worst bad habits in the garden is that they have become so commonplace. The worst offenses are repeated everyw…

Some years are worse than others: I remember years when it was like a siege of lady beetles, other years a few popped up here or there. Usually, they sneak their way into our homes as a noticeable chill settles in. On sunny days they cling to the screen door on the south side of the house wh…

There are grasses such as barley, kamut and wheat grass which are extremely nutrient rich providing healing properties which aid in good overall health. I became enamored with grasses and algae in the 1990s when I was struggling a lot with poor circulation and digestive issues. I began takin…

Sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Bob Gibson due to his recent death

Winter Break began in our school district of Perry Central on Thurs., Dec. 21st and will continue through Mon., Jan. 1st. Students will also be out of school on Tues., Jan. 2nd due to a teacher professional development day.

I often wonder what life after death looks like. As a child, I was promised a crown full of jewels representing my good works here on earth. Or the reunification of loved ones gone before us. Cancer-free, pain-free, frolicking in Heaven among the fields of gold. That by surviving here on Ear…

It is time to start decorating for the holidays, which for many includes the poinsettia. The poinsettia has been a fixture in American homes as a holiday decoration for as long as most of us can remember. I think it is fair to say that it is considered the ‘official’ Christmas flower.

Several friends gathered at my home on Thursday morning to celebrate a Christmas celebration and enjoy the day together. Those attending were Mary Nixon of Mifflin and Bill and Loma Morgan and Micky and Cheryl Morgan of Richland City and Dennie Whistle and Loren Brown of St, Croix and Susan …

The annual Christmas Program will be presented at the Bethel Christian Church in Doolittle Mills this coming Sunday evening, Dec. 17th at 5 p.m. CST. This year’s play is titled “In the Eyes of a Child”. Refreshments will follow in the church fellowship basement. Everyone is welcome to attend…

So which type of tree reflects your holiday-style? Do you get a fresh cut, artificial or container-grown? Or do you just go out-of-town and let someone else do the decorating? All are certainly acceptable but there are different rules that apply to each. The news coming out of the live-cut C…

When I researched my Super Greens for Animals friends, I pick herbs which would be nourishing and balancing for overall health. Back in the late 90’s when I was studying herbalism with Christopher Hobbs, common comfrey leaf and root had cautions for internal use. There had been some concerns…