Opinion

A star. I think of all the things God could have used to guide the first worshipers to Jesus, He chose a star. Not some man-made innovation. Not a person or prophet. Not even a voice. But a star. Loud in its light, but quiet in its announcement. Unlike the shepherds who were not looking…

By Chris Enroth University of Illinois Extension, Horticulture Educator Welcome to astronomical winter! Our calendars mark the beginning of winter as December 21 (sometimes the 22) because of where Earth is in its orbit around the sun. Is it too much of a leap to say that gardeners and those who work outdoors are particularly…

The cameras don’t lie. Their all-seeing eye is there when I can’t be. I know every varmint that comes across my field. There were raccoons, bobcats, turkeys, skunks, coyotes, and even a bear. What’s been absent are the deer. I mean, there have been a couple of spikes and a couple of doe, but nothing…

Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and have a hard time going back to sleep.  I have found that if I think about pleasant memories, such as my experiences as a child at Christmas, instead of dwelling on current (upsetting) stories in the news, I have an easier time falling back…

When I was in kindergarten, my father developed rheumatic fever. As Christmas got closer, Mom looked sadder every day. She was also on the phone a lot. I didn’t see the embarrassment in her smile as she accepted canned food from our church and secondhand coats for my brothers and me. I made my Christmas…

Have you heard of the “Battle of Conoco Fields”?    Me neither, until I recently read “The Wagner Group”, a book about the Russian mercenaries who are fighting on behalf of Russia in Syria and other parts of the Middle East and Africa.   The “Battle of Conoco Fields”, which is described in that book,…

Timing is everything. Have you ever felt like you were out of sync with what was going on in the woods or on the water? Sometimes it seems that on the days you can go fishing, the weather is terrible or the fish are uncooperative. And on the days you can’t go or just decide…

Most of us hunters like to consider ourselves, the diehard variety. We’re not afraid to get up early, stay out late, and do whatever it takes to get our deer – unless it’s walking more than about a quarter of a mile from our vehicle. It’s true. Most hunters don’t hunt too far off the…

As a Michigan grad, I was pleased with the Michigan win over arch rival Ohio State last weekend; “sticking it” to OSU is always a satisfying experience.  But I must say that “planting the flag” may be a bit too provocative as a “sticking”, especially in front of a stadium full of rabid OSU fans.…

John and I argue every Christmas about gift wrapping. The fighting is a tradition we’ve grown comfortable with. We get out the wrapping paper, tape, and scissors. Then the fun begins. “Okay,” he says. “Give me the biggest present first.” “Good. Good. Set it down right here.” He eyes the box from every angle; skooches…