Opinion

Body It may seem a cruel thing to ask whether the government gives too much money away in the name of helping the poor, especially at this time of year, when reminders to help the less fortunate are omnipresent. It is nonetheless necessary to pose the question.

Body Christmas is my favorite holiday. Nothing else even comes close.

Body There was a game we played which consisted of nine different size and shaped cups, and jars kind of laid out as bowling pins. The beginning of the game you would get five pennies.

Body Dear Neil: What is going on with our sago palm? It’s growing in this bizarre way with at least a dozen new heads. What should I do? This is called fasciation, where cells divide in two planes instead of in all directions.

Body When writing advertising copy, I sometimes find myself desperately searching for a zinger of a tag line - and settling for trite admonitions such as “Make this the best hunting season ever” or “Make this the best summer vacation ever.”

Body There’s a school of political thought that divided government is the government that governs best.

Body About 10 years ago I fell ill. It was quite bad I could not get up from my bed in days. I began to talk to God and asked if it was my time to go, to take me then, but if it was not time, to show me a sign. Eventually I fell asleep and had a dream.

Body This most wonderful time of the year is known for cozy weather, family gatherings, and delicious holiday meals and treats. Many times, these foods are high in calories, saturated fats, sodium, and added sugars.

Body Dear Neil: I applied fungicide to control brown patch. I had none in spring and summer, so I thought it had been cured. Now it appears it has come back this fall. Should I spray again now, or should I wait until spring?

Body One of my fondest childhood memories of Christmas in the 1970’s was riding around in the family station wagon, “Bessie,” to look at Christmas lights while I whined to my parents about needing a snack – again.