“That’s it!” Molly claps her hands. “I know how to get us a new star! I’m gonna pray for one!”
“What?” Momma asks.
“Jesus had me see that falling meteor so I would pray for the miracle of us getting one. And I’m gonna start now!”
She closes her eyes and cups her hands under her chin. “Dear Jesus, please send us a new star for our manager in time for Christmas. That way people can see you. Amen.”
“Amen,” Her mother repeats behind her.

As I write, the song “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” is on my mind. In reality, other than decorations and the endless Hallmark movies, and the absence of leaves on the trees, it wouldn’t look like Christmas at all. There is no snow, though the temperature is dropping below freezing, and a brisk wind is blowing, making the air feel colder due to the wind chill factor. A more appropriate song might be “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”.

Leaving family and really good friends behind in Idaho was searingly painful. But to age gracefully, we just did not want to do it shoveling and plowing snow, living through cloudy days and smoke-smoggered skies from fires in surrounding states and Canada.

Some cooks today buy a couple packages of chocolate pudding and maybe make their own pastry. However, that doesn't compare with this velvety chocolate pie. Heat milk in saucepan. Add baking chocolate, stirring constantly until chocolate is melted. Blend together sugar, flour and salt.

I like hearing the song 12 Days of Christmas, which generates imagery of a lot of interesting people and animals. While it is considered a nonsensical sort of song, it has been suggested that it’s actually a secretly coded song of Christian instruction.

In a display of creativity and community spirit, the Luttrell Public Library emerged with pride as we received the Best Float Award at this year's Luttrell City parade. The library's Christmas Clifford the Big Red Dog float, captivated the crowd and left a lasting impression on parade-goers of all ages.

The University of Tennessee Veterinary Medical Center will operate at severely reduced patient capacity from Saturday, December 16, 2023 until Wednesday January 3, 2024. During this time, the building’s electrical power infrastructure will be upgraded. The upgrade requires turning off electrical power to large portions of the veterinary medical center.

Once there was a name that mattered more than space,
But now there is an X that often fills the place,
Reserved once for the Savior, the King of all Kings.
Now to Santa, to Frosty, to Rudolph we sing.
While out in the blizzards and cold pouring rain,
Sits the orphan, the homeless, despised, and ashamed.
With our presents, our profit, our margin of gain,
The Christ child forgotten again and again.
Let’s open our hearts as the wise men once did,
Bring Jesus inside and not keep Him hid,
By the trees and the paper, the green and red bow,

A new study confirms that rocker bottom shoes help strengthen back muscles, improving the spine’s curvature and thus reducing low back pain.

“Look! It’s a shooting star!” five-year-old Molly points to the light streaking across the evening sky.
“It’s a meteor, silly,” her older brother Jimmy taunts.
“That’s not nice Jimmy,” Daddy warns him.
“I’m gonna make a wish on a falling meteor.” Molly closes her eyes.
“Instead of just wishing, why don’t you pray?” Momma suggests.