“Two nations divided by a common language.”

Another Mother’s Day has come and gone. It’s a day set aside to honor and adore mothers on the second Sunday during the month of May. Several years later, this question was asked, shouldn’t we adore fathers, too? And to get the male vote, politicians eventually designated a Father’s Day. It …

Last week’s high winds made my wife Diane and I feel uneasy. In the past, we’ve had a tree fall and total our car and another crash through the roof of our house. High winds blowing usually mean we are in for a storm or a major weather change. When we’re outside, I always worry about getting…

Late on a December night last year, Sergeant Ben Bertram died tragically in a car crash while on duty in a high-speed chase. Our Charlestown community, those who knew Sgt. Bertram, and, most importantly, his family lost a friend, a son, and a brother in blue.

I’m writing this on Mother’s Day. As a young woman, I never thought I would have my own children. I didn’t want them, really. I mean, I did, but I didn’t. I was the oldest of seven with two parents who had to work, so in many ways, when I left home at 18, I felt like I had raised six childre…

My mental health is suffering a little this month.

The phone rang. I ran to it just as I was trained to do in childhood. “Don’t answer it,” a rational voice inside my head commanded. “Find out who it is,” whispered my inquisitive internal guide.

As the 44th State Superintendent of Public Instruction, and one of only three women elected to the position since 1852, it has been an honor and a privilege to serve. Indiana is home to over 1.2 million students, more than 75,000 educators, and 2,194 schools. Beginning January of 2021, as a …

“Once the battle is over we come along and shoot the wounded.”

Back around 350 B.C., Greek minds, including Aristotle and his close friends, had enough intelligence to move the world forward. Since that time, for every few humans who gained a higher IQ, millions more regressed to a moronic level. We don’t understand why this happened unless many more hu…

Recently, the News and Tribune reported that professional magician Brent Braun is opening a magic shop and theater in New Albany this summer. Braun has an impressive list of credits as a performer, illusion creator, and consultant to other magicians. He acquired his current interest in magic…

This past weekend I decided to smoke a large (packer) brisket, which includes both the flat and the point. If you buy the flat by itself you will pay $8 to $10 per pound. When you buy it as a packer, your price per pound goes down substantially. After trimming some of the fat off and separat…

Here's a little poem that asks a big question: “Does God exist? Do I? Tell me why.”

One of my favorite things in life is architecture. I love buildings, especially huge skyscrapers and massive structures. That’s why, when the Notre-Dame Cathedral caught on fire a week or so ago, I was interested in the rapt attention worldwide — over a building. People actually mourned the …

Have you ever closely watched a calendar or a clock? On the first day of high school each year, the morning started with a large convocation in the gym, then all the classes were shortened. I was sitting in my Geometry class waiting for the bell to ring to head to lunch. The Geometry teacher…

“Courage is endurance for one moment more.”

Last week was a hard week for some in our community. People who never intentionally hurt people were called out for hurting people. It did not happen intentionally and the person uttering words that were racist in nature stood up and did the right thing — she owned it, apologized, and learne…

“In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.”

INDIANAPOLIS — It was supposed to be a celebratory moment. The Republican fiscal and legislative leaders lined up in the House, with a grinning Gov. Eric Holcomb joining them.

No, there is no escaping our political divides these days. Everyone is a villain or hero. No one is just a teacher, reporter, preacher or, in this case, just a vice president.

Words matter.

I love America, and try to do my duty to it, if it’s not too much trouble. So, I brought the Mueller report up on the internet and began reading it, but it’s so long and causes more trouble. Also, a considerable amount of the report had been redacted or covered up and kept secret.

“If one morning I walked on top of the water across the Potomac River, the headline would read: President can’t Swim!”

Americans have their doubts about a lot of things today — politicians, climate change, vaccinations, Velveeta, etc. On Sunday, millions of Christians will be hearing the biblical story of perhaps the most famous doubter of all time, the Apostle Thomas, better known as “Doubting Thomas.” I re…

Survivorship isn’t a word you hear often.

You’ve all heard the complaint. “If America can put a man on the moon, why can’t it ... cure the common cold, or develop a long-lasting battery, or stop spending more than it takes in, or (fill in your favorite frustration)?”

INDIANAPOLIS — The release of a redacted version of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report makes at least one thing clear.

Nobody loves eating doughnuts more than my great-niece, Lily. At 3, she eats them face-first, right into the top of the pink frosting and sprinkles (her favorite kind). Lily says, “I like them because they’re yummy.” What else is there to say?

After many years of near-perfect health, my knees went bad. In April 1999, the surgeon cleaned out the loose cartilage and I hobbled around for a couple of months. Then I asked if I could run again. He said OK, if I could stand the pain.

“Cawood, if it doesn’t matter if you win or lose, why the hell you keeping score!”

Last Sunday, millions of viewers eagerly watched the premiere episode of the final season of the popular television series, “Game of Thrones.” In this series, the Stark Family rules the North and their motto is “Winter is Coming.” Superficially, this motto suggests that one should always pre…

INDIANAPOLIS — One way to know you’re picking up political traction is when opposing partisans begin to take notice, when you are no longer ignored. That was the prelude to 2 p.m. Palm Sunday when one of the most unlikely presidential campaigns kicked off in South Bend.

Thunder is a happening in this area and it happened Saturday. I am always amazed at Thunder. A fireworks show isn’t something you would think could generate this much excitement and participation. But it does!

Helping our communities grow is one objective of governors, mayors and their economic co-conspirators. We might thrive better if they focused on helping our communities develop.

That day in 2012 remains one of the most viscerally charged memories of my teaching career.

“Two things are infinite; the universe and human stupidity. And I’m not sure about the universe.”

Thankfully, we were endowed with a complex brain to use for learning and thinking. Animals were, too, but they were limited in the extent of their brain power, but you might have had a pet that could think at a higher level than your next-door neighbor could. Whatever, remember to love both …

A few years ago I learned that somewhere in Citrus County Jesus was in a tree. Not literally, but a woman had called the newsroom to say she could see an image of Jesus in a tree that was in her yard.

We have spent the last couple of weeks learning lessons from the cross of Christ as we lead up to the Easter celebration. Before we turn our attention to the resurrection, we need to look at one more biblical concept of the cross, justification.

“It is not greed that drives the world, but envy.”

For more than 35 years, New Albany’s Dutch Vigar has been a constant in the Southern Indiana soccer scene. Not only has he coached our kids, the 68-year-old coaches coaches, training them to teach our youth the fundamentals and strategies of the ever evolving sport. Thousands of players have…

I. The White House would not vilify and embarrass individuals.

Peggy, an Indiana woman and reader of this column, recently sent me a lengthy email about her 94-year-old mother who is rapidly spending down her minimal savings to pay for prescription drugs.

Indiana Landmarks does a commendable job of historic preservation. They recognize the structures worth restoring because of certain events or persons of the past or for their architectural significance.