The Country Writer: In the cards

In 868 A.D., according to Chinese historical records, a princess was said to have played a “leaf game.” One of the earliest known references to playing cards.Since then, there have been a few more sessions of folks gathering with a deck to play.

Where are they now? Madison Phillipson

Dublin graduate Madison Phillipson found her dream career as a photographer by chance when she was looking for something to get her out of the house during the pandemic. Now, she’s photographing full time and loves capturing precious memories and making people feel good about themselves.

Faith: A Living River

Thirst. Have you ever been so thirsty that it felt like you could spit in the ocean and raise a dust cloud? There have been times when I felt like that, but in reality, I’ve never had a thirst that was near death.

Ag: Berry’s Picks

June is Dairy Month and Comanche County Dairy Breakfast TimeOur local dairy families do much more than milk cows- the dairy industry is vital to Comanche County and these families provide a major boost to the local economy.

Who’ll Stop The Rain?

Back in 2011, it didn’t rain. It didn’t rain for a long, long time. It didn’t rain for so long that fires began to pop up where I live.One of them popped up near where our oldest son lived, which also wasn’t very far from where we live.

Faith: Figuring God Out

“God is a God of love,” says one. “God knows who I am and completely understands me,” remarks another. The fact of the matter is, we think we have God all figured out.

Faith: Why did Jesus say ‘It is Finished?’

“If I finish my vegetables, I get dessert,” says Caleb, 8. “But Jesus didn’t get dessert. He got a spear in his side.”Caleb’s comparison might sound humorous, but it reminds us that when Jesus said, “It is finished,” on the cross (John 19:30), he wasn’t talking about ending a small task.

Senior Living: Aging Matters

Recently, I attended the funeral of a family member who represents the last of my grandparents’ generation for my family. This event, in retrospect, emphasized something many of us who are now middle- aged are experiencing. We have been passed a torch of responsibility.

Senior Living: Toni Says

Dear Toni, I am turning 65, am covered under my wife’s employer’s health insurance and am fighting liver cancer. I am participating in a clinical trial for a cancer medication which costs over $12,000 per month and am paying $0 for a medication that is curing my cancer.

Ag: Berry’s Picks

Pasture MealybugThe Pasture Mealybug has the potential to be a very serious problem for all livestock producers and anyone that depends on grass. This pasture mealybug is completely new to us and has the potential to have a major impact on anyone that grows grass.