A common vision breeds unity

“United we stand, divided we fall.”   “We’re more divided than ever.”   “A house divided against itself cannot stand.”  The refrain goes on and on.  We keep hearing of divisions, but hearing no way back to unity.  It is undeniable that there is strength in unity.

Lots to explore; get in the woods!

If someone has told you to take a hike recently, heed their advice.  Hoot Gibbs and I have recently worked on clearing downed trees and brush from the Yellow Creek Falls Trail – 3/10 of a mile – and Yellow Creek Mountain Trail from Old Field Gap Road to Meadow Branch Road and U.S. 129, 1.8 miles.

Lose weight properly

Everyone wants to lose weight, even a person who’s not really that heavy maybe because of the extra belly fat that makes the individual too conscious about it. However, one may not do it correctly due to unhealthy lifestyle leading to further health problems while reducing some weight.

Much to learn from Plymouth landing

In a few weeks, it will be the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrims landing in Plymouth, Mass.  They disembarked from the Mayflower near a big boulder that became the legendary Plymouth Rock.  Over the years, souvenir hunters chipped away at the rock.

Growing up with brother Sam

After the recent death of my brother Sam McClung, a cousin of mine – Betty Smith, who lives in Knoxville – suggested I write a story about growing up with Sam. All four of us children were born at home and delivered by a midwife. Sam was five years old when I was born.

Come together … right now

Aesop told the story of a group of four oxen that lived in a lush field.  There was a hungry lion that would prowl the field and on occasion, attack the oxen. The oxen would work together, get tail to tail and any direction the lion attacked they fended him off together.

Reasons to vote Republican

Election time is finally upon us.  Measured in sunrises and sunsets, 2020 has been like any other year. Measured in mental stress, it has been a lifetime.   First and foremost, you should cast a well-informed ballot. I do not believe in the random vote that doesn’t consider the consequences.

Biden/Harris is the best ticket forward

The best conversations with someone of opposing views begin with the discovery that there might be some areas of agreement. For instance, we might all agree that political ads painting your opponent as the devil incarnate doesn’t garner many votes.

Fear, panic increase risk to pandemic virus

While the number of positive cases have been increasing in a certain locality, the level of intensity from people concerned with COVID-19 virus have also heightened their fears causing panic to some.

How do ‘dog people’ get to be ‘cat people?’

Confession: I have never wanted a cat. So, how did we wind up with three different cats? The quick answer is that kitties 1, 2 and 3 found us. And since we are animal lovers, these cats found a royal welcome, with certain restrictions.