October 4, 2026
Columns
On & Off Earth – October: best month of the autumn season?
October, the gateway to Fall, gets started looking much like summer. Trees, farms and lawns, after three wet months, remain lush and green but late hay harvests and hints of color in the forest tell a tale of pending change. The dogwoods are the first to turn up the color, both with leaves and berries. Sassafras and tupelos (black gum) are quick to join in and dump the green chlorophyll, letting the background reds and yellows shine through.
Letters from Dogwood – Listen closely
Sometimes listening to the conversations of others can be quite interesting and amusing. As a writer I sometimes find material I can use. One such event led to an entire poem that I call “Half an Ear.” A lady on one end of a phone conversation was just told about the death of Walter, then replied just before she disconnected, “Please tell Wallie I am thinking of him.’’
Thoughts from the Crossroads – Hallie & Bella
Ihaven’t devoted a column to my cats in quite awhile, and their fans continue to ask how they are. It always amazes me when someone in public recognizes me from my photo (or sometimes, by my name). And a large majority of the time, they ask about Hallie and Bella. Of course, I never tell the cats that. Don’t need them to get the big head - they already think the world revolves around them.
Blessed Assurance – Serenity
How would you define the word “serenity”? Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary defines it as “a state of utter calm and unruffled repose or quietude”. I’ve always had the ability to remain unruffled in many challenging situations. It was what gave me the ability to function in the ICU and Emergency Department environment without losing my cool or my mind. I’m not sure that I would have called myself serene when I was in the middle of the chaos and mayhem that often accompanied a shift in those environments, but I was able to block out the noise and emotion and find a way to focus on what needed to be done.
Thoughts from the Crossroads – Carbondale
Dear Readers, I have a confession to make. I have been unfaithful. For over a week now. And yes, Rick is aware. He even approves. Hallie and Bella, however, are still in blissful ignorance…and I know without a doubt that they would NOT approve!
Blessed Assurance – Rest
Anyone who knows me understands that I’m a fairly Type-A, driven individual. It has always been how I am wired and I have done well in my careers because of that way of functioning. However, that way of functioning has also led to symptoms of burnout and to an understanding that I can’t just go full throttle all the time without some rest and relaxation. Working too much in a high stress ICU environment helped me to understand my need for a different narrative that could heal the psychological wounds I was carrying from all the injuries and deaths I witnessed.
Thoughts from the Crossroads – Pumpkin spice
Well folks, it’s September. That means pumpkin spice flavor is everywhere for the next couple of months. When Starbucks debuted the pumpkin spice latte in 2003, the drink not only became a national phenomenon, but it sparked pumpkin spice flavored versions of practically everything. Yep, Pandora’s box had been opened.
Letters from Dogwood – Of dog days
We’ve just endured what some old-timers would call an oldfashioned summer: oppressive heat, humidity, afternoon thunderstorms. Believe it or not, records say this is the hottest July on record (1895-present). However, I recall a passel of hot summers and about as many that were Sahara-dry. There were summers we had to haul water for washing clothes onehalf a mile in old barrels; there were others when tadpoles swam in the flooded side ditches.
Blessed Assurance – The enemy of good
During my first career as a clinical pharmacist, I had the opportunity to work with a large number of physicians, nurses and other health professionals. Some of these folks were tremendous professionals and people, from whom I learned a great deal. I have always had a special affinity for surgeons, though they can be some of the prickliest and most challenging people God ever placed on earth! Part of this demeanor is that it takes a lot of chutzpah to cut open a living human body, mess about inside it for a while, and then sew everything back up again – kinda like nothing ever happened.