By Jim Mullen I complained about the cold all winter long, now I’m complaining about the heat. Isn’t there some place on this entire planet that’s livable all year round? Some place where it’s comfortable in the summer and winter, not too hot, not too cold — some place that is just right? Of course…

By William Rusher Whenever a political figure lets fly with some remark that bounces badly, he or she is likely to protest that it was taken “out of context.” The implication is that, if the critics would just read (or, better yet, quote) the rest of the speech, the offending utterance would be seen in…

Gaillardia (Blanket flower) is a genus of drought-tolerant annual and perennial plants from the sunflower family (Asteraceae), native to North America. It was named after M. Gaillard de Charentonneau, an 18th-century French magistrate who was a patron of botany. The common name refers to the inflorescence’s resemblance to brightly patterned blankets made by native Americans.…

By the Associated Press REDWOOD, Miss. (AP) ‘ Farmers here are experiencing water torture as they wait for the flooded Mississippi River to recede and give them a chance to salvage what’s left of what might have been the best season in memory. The muddy Mississippi is at levels not seen in more than three…

BY J. Dale Beaty If most farmers will take a look in their wallet they hopefully will find a Private Applicators pesticide card. This card is issued by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture every three years to those folks who have viewed some training videos and sent in the proper paperwork. If the card is…

By Mark Halcomb Callus tissue has nearly healed the wounds from the egg-laying process of the female Periodical Cicada. Pencil-size branches cannot tolerate the damage caused when multiple females lay numerous eggs on all sides of the same branch. If you had cicadas 17 years ago in 1991, you can expect them to return soon.…

BY Roger Cook In a recent issue of the Southern Standard, Susan Newby and James Clark took different views about the problems in our school systems. I am not going back to rehash the things they said. But I think it’s sad when it appears all students are characterized by what a few do. In…

BY Jenny Harper It’s true – the kitchen is the heart of the home. Ever notice how people always gather there? Whether baking treats, making dinner or spending time with family and friends, the kitchen is my favorite place to be. Since my day job is Senior Culinary Specialist for the Nestle Test Kitchens, you…

The Frist Center for the Visual Arts will open Tiffany by Design Friday, May 9 in the Upper-Level Galleries. This exhibition celebrates the artistry and craftsmanship of the colorful leaded glass lamps produced by Tiffany Studios between 1900 and 1918. Tiffany by Design will continue through Aug. 24. This exhibition is organized by The Neustadt…

BY Kathy Mitchel & Marcy Sugar Dear Margo: I have a delicate problem. My children are adopted, and time after time people make comments in front of them that I feel the need to correct. They may range from someone who knows they’re adopted saying, “This is your real mom; no one loves you like…