Mark’s Remarks

This time of the year, there seems to be a good amount of cleaning out, polishing up, and scrubbing down. After tearing down the Christmas stuff, the absence of lights…

Jerry Seinfeld recently said that when a person reaches age 60 or so, he or she should be able to simply say “No.” No explanation, no unpleasantness. Just “No.” I’m…

There was once a little red-headed boy who was one of the sweetest kids ever. He had a little round, mischievous face but a heart of gold. He was sensitive,…

You are going to think I’m totally silly, and probably rather unhealthy. I’ve just discovered something that has changed my early evenings: an afternoon coffee break.  Many of you already…

Before I get started, I must qualify the topic I’m writing about and say a few things.   First of all, as a male, I can tell you we can…

We often hear about animals being agitated and fretting when their young are in danger, or even when they aren’t close by.   The mother duck squawks and quacks away…

My daughter and I saw the movie “Wonder” the other night and I highly recommend it. This movie is a heartwarmer without being too sappy or mawkish. It’s about a…

My yard has evolved somewhat since we first moved in 10 years ago.  Two trees that were once there have since died mysterious deaths and had to be cut down.…

The Bible says plenty about being a servant of God. We are called to be servants, to give of ourselves and our talents. We are called to do God’s work.…

I didn’t know until recently that this area of Illinois is sometimes referred to as “Devil’s Kitchen.” The name apparently comes from Native Americans and pioneers of this region. Some…

During these cool days, our thoughts often go to the wonderful things about fall, to being cool again and escaping from the muggy days of late summer and early fall.…