Every fall my sweet tooth begins to throb for something homemade. And easy-to-make pralines are high on the list. Pralines (pronounced “prah-leens”) are among the simplest and most delicious of all Southern confections. Like most anything, pralines are best when made fresh at home–much better than those you see wrapped …
Professor’s Dire Predictions Coming True In 2001–while a business student in college–I took a global economics class. We had a brilliant professor, but his predictions about the future of the global economy frightened me. My fears were realized when his predictions began to come true. The most we can do …
Ingredients-steak 2 pounds cubed steak 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup dried onion flakes 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 3/4 cup of vegetable oil
When I lived in Virginia this was a favorite. You would often see it at bake sales and fairs. I wanted this recipe for years and finally got it. (Courtesy of my friend, Ina). It’s absolutely yummy.
A friendly reminder that it’s bulb-planting time. Unfortunately, we live in the middle of deer country and they have a real hankering for some of the fresh flowering spring bulbs. Here are the flowering bulbs that deer will not eat, along with the ones they will. WILL EAT. I’m sorry …
The government of the United States appears irrevocably broken. I’m talking about both parties and all three branches of it. No one in government is exempt because they all had a hand in breaking it. One thing that’s not broken is the country itself, because our country is composed of …
Breaking Bad ends its magnificent run. “Breaking Bad” may be the best drama ever created for television. It is entirely original, brilliantly written and directed, unpredictable, shocking, heart-wrenching, and humorous–sometimes all in a single episode. It also includes some of the finest acting ever seen–on television or off. It is, in …
If you really love tomatoes, but you might be getting just a wee bit burned out on them, here’s a new twist on tomato salad. It’s a healthy alternative to cold salads (which are often drenched in fatty dressing and covered with cheeses, bacon, and croutons). It’s simple, it’s …
Steven knew he should not be out at night alone. He had been told repeatedly to stay inside with the doors locked after dark. But when the moonlight beckoned outside his bedroom window, it was more than he could resist. He made his way down the hill behind the house …
It’s that time again–when thoughts of Thanksgiving and Christmas and the many preparations necessary to make the season beautiful begin. Not the least of holiday preparations are those for Poinsettias, Narcissus, Amaryllis, and Christmas Cactus. Unlike Poinsettias or bulb flowers, many people tend to keep their Christmas cacti from year …
Paducah has its share of chain type restaurants, as well as fancier eating establishments. Many of them have good food and service. But it also has a number of laid-back, down-home eating places near and dear to my heart. Here are five:
I was ten years old the first time I saw a dead person up close. It wasn’t at a funeral, where most people see their first body, because I had not yet been to one. It wasn’t at the scene of a horrible highway accident, for I usually looked away …
I had lost twenty-six pounds as of last week–but the same twenty-six pounds popped up on the scale this week. Yes, I’ve reached a plateau. It can be discouraging, but it happens to all dieters. The Web defines it thus: Weight plateau–during weight loss, a period of time in which …
It’s getting near the time when houseplants–like children being called in for supper–must return indoors for the winter season. They’ve hung out on a porch or patio, soaking up the sun and renewing themselves all summer. Now it’s nearing the time for a well-deserved rest. But there are a few …
Grab your spades and shovels, gardeners. Like it or not the fall planting season is upon us. A bit of preparation now will yield big results next year, so don’t be short-sighted and put off these recommended activities. For fall color. Unfortunately, if you haven’t been nursing your annuals along …
Today was weigh-in day and I’m down 26 pounds. It’s cause for celebration, but not with food. I’m learning not to use food as a reward. There won’t be any Snickers bars or Big Macs today–just a few champagne corks popping inside my head. My successful diet began when I …
Decades of Journals I had a journalism teacher in high school named Jean Williams, who designated me an editor of our high school newspaper. We got along famously, and I continued to visit Ms.Williams for many years after graduation. On one of those visits she advised me to begin keeping …
As part of my increased enthusiasm for all things healthy, I have recently discovered that I like almond butter. I mean, I really like it. That’s not to say that I don’t still enjoy peanut butter, but there are definitely benefits to making your own almond butter at home. It’s quite simple.
Ah, the shade garden. Cool, dark and serene. On hot August days nothing beats retreating to the sheltering shade. Whether it’s an old lawn chair under a tree, or a hammock swinging gently under dappled sunlight, escaping the heat and activity of a summer’s day could be just a few …
Goosebumps and tingles. Goosebumps ran up both my arms and tingled around my neck as I tried to see out the bedroom window. At first, all I could make out in the dark were raindrops trickling down the panes of glass. It was summer, and the window was cracked open …
