Opinion

GUEST COLUMNIST And so it goes. “Have you seen everything you want to see?” “Yeah.

On a regular basis I go through the weekly paper and one of my most enjoyable sections is called “From The Pulpit”. Some may take the time to read the short messages and others don’t, but to me its very helpful and encouraging; for my soul longs for peace.

As Christians our call is to follow, serve and focus on our new life in Jesus. We are to follow in the steps of Jesus and allow Him to be the center of our lives. His love, acceptance and stability should make us the most confident, stable people in the world.

Every year, during the last few days of June, I sit at my computer and wait impatiently for the most important Supreme Court decisions to be announced. Last year, the picnic brought the Dobbs decision, which ended legalized abortion, so it seemed like anything else would be a letdown.

GUEST COLUMNIST We are the Cubs from Den 3/And no one could be prouder/If you cannot hear our shout/We’ll yell a little LOUDER. That chant from my Cub Scout pack-meeting days comes to mind as I explore the issue of moderationchallenged speakers, or, as the prestigious American Psychiatric Association clinically labels them, “bozos who wouldn’t know an indoor voice if it bit them on the rear.” Surely you could name some loud talkers.

GARDENER’S MAILBAG Dear Neil: How can I get potted bougainvilleas to rebloom in the summer? I was advised to use a fertilizer that is high in phosphorus. I’m not sure it has helped.

GUEST COLUMNIST When I was a young adult living under my parents’ roof, my late father always made sure I had Beanee Weenees, Vienna sausage, potted meat and other such snacks to take to my graveyard-shift factory job. Of course, I appreciated the display of paternal love; but Chris van Tulleken, author of “Ultra-Processed People,” would probably be aghast.

GUEST COLUMNIST The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), the most trusted barometer of children’s classroom progress, has just delivered bad but expected news. Post COVID- 19 lockdown testing found that kids are going backwards in both reading and math.

GARDENER’S MAILBAG Dear Neil: Please identify this mystery plant that is growing in my lantana bed. I don’t want to pull it if it would be an attractive groundcover, but I don’t want it to take over the entire bed.

GUEST COLUMNIST Facebook has a feature called Memories, which culls from old posts and allows you to see what was of interest on any given date over the years that you’ve been on the platform. It’s an interesting window into your activities, your priorities and your relationships.