Mystery Plant! #709 John Nelson 2/9/2023By John Nelsonjohnbnelson@sc.rr.comThose of you faithful readers of this column will know that its author (me) is fond of studying the plant life in grocery stores…and of course this means those plants that are being marketed, usually as species which are edible in one way...
Enjoying the comforts of remaining the same
Living on Purpose: Enjoying the comforts of remaining the same Dr. William Holland Posted January 2, 2023By Dr. William HollandAs God continues to move upon the earth, He has never stopped calling His children to be truth seekers, to speak His words, and demonstrate His character. The painful fact is...
Mystery Plant! #699
Mystery Plant! #699 John Nelson Posted December 29, 2022By John Nelsonjohnbnelson@sc.rr.comWinter hasn’t even started yet, but it sure looks like it in my backyard. Practically all of the leaves are fallen, and we’ve had two hard frosts here in central South Carolina. I am grateful that in my part of...
Mystery Plant! #701
Mystery Plant! #701 John Nelson Posted December 29, 2022By John Nelsonjohnbnelson@sc.rr.comSome of my best botany field trips have been to supermarkets and produce stands. There's always something interesting to see, and it makes an easy way of bringing classroom botany close to home (and the kitchen). Now, I’ve never taken...
Cold River, Warm Memories—Beginnings
Cold River, Warm Memories—Beginnings Tom Poland Posted December 28, 2022By Tom PolandA Southern Writerwww.tompoland.nettompol@earthlink.netAll the presents opened, good food and family time done for a bit, come the day after Christmas I found myself standing on the banks of cold Little River. Before me stretched a wall of rock and...
What does Christmas mean to you?
Living on Purpose: What does Christmas mean to you? Dr. William Holland Posted December 27, 2022By Dr. William HollandI’ve read articles over the years about how Christmas is a combination of Christian and pagan symbolism along with some folklore traditions and for the most part, this is true. I also...
Christ our hope for the New Year
Living on Purpose: Christ our hope for the New Year Dr. William Holland Posted December 27, 2022By Dr. William HollandWe are at the end of another year and it always brings thoughts of starting fresh and having hope for the future. Most of us have watched the ball drop on...
The Gift of Christmas “Presence”
The Gift of Christmas “Presence” Reba Campbell Posted December 20, 2022By Reba CampbellWe’ve just returned from a glorious two-week adventure in Germany, Austria and Hungary - most of it spent travelling with friends we’ve known since our young adult days in DC. During the trip, I posted photos of the...
Rivers I cross
Rivers I cross Tom Poland Posted December 19, 2022By Tom PolandA Southern Writerwww.tompoland.nettompol@earthlink.netRivers make me say things out loud. As I drive alone over a river I often say its name. In fact, some rivers’ names beg to be pronounced. On trips to Florida, I cross the Altamaha. Saying its...
The thing he carries
Everything and Nothing: The thing he carries Aïda Rogers Posted December 13, 2022By Aïda RogersThe thing my father carries isn’t as old as he is, but it looks it. His briefcase can only be described with hyphens: banged-up, beat-up, worn-out. But those are my words. I don’t think he would use...
The hush before Christmas
Everything and Nothing: The hush before Christmas Aïda Rogers Posted December 13, 2022By Aïda RogersThere’s a moment close to Christmas Day when everything slows down. The crazy stuff stops and a hush descends, like the moment before the orchestra conductor puts down the baton and the applause erupts. You could call...
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
Living on Purpose: The wrong shall fail, the right prevail Dr. William Holland Posted December 12, 2022By Dr. William HollandMost people have read or at least heard of a man named Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882). He was a literary giant in his lifetime and is still known today in many...
Things I have left undone
Things I have left undone Tom Poland Posted December 12, 2022By Tom PolandA Southern Writerwww.tompoland.nettompol@earthlink.netEach Christmas my mind goes back to a June day in Valdosta, Georgia. I was driving through slash pines to interview Robert “Bob” Clyatt. A defense lawyer, Bob represented employers and insurers. He was on the...
Why, my soul, are you so downcast?
Living on Purpose: Why, my soul, are you so downcast? Dr. William Holland Posted December 6, 2022By Dr. William HollandSince before the world was made God has known you and loved you. He has never taken His eyes away or ignored you. If you were to write down all the...
The Word Merchant Highway
The Word Merchant Highway Tom Poland Posted December 6, 2022By Tom PolandA Southern Writerwww.tompoland.nettompol@earthlink.netUpon taking a writing position long ago, the boss of bosses shot me a sideways look, “So, you’re a word merchant.” Clever, I thought, but as time wore on so did he. A tyrant, nothing he said...
If people were leaves…
If people were leaves… Tom Poland Posted November 30, 2022By Tom PolandA Southern Writerwww.tompoland.nettompol@earthlink.netSuppose people changed colors like autumn leaves. Would it be a better world? It just might. For sure it’d be more colorful. Think about that. Say it’s late November, and your fingertips redden. The tips of your...
Using God’s speech filter in our conversations
Living on Purpose: Using God’s speech filter in our conversations Dr. William Holland Posted November 29, 2022By Dr. William HollandAs I’ve prayed for spiritual awareness over the years, the Lord has been patient with my lack of understanding and has graciously allowed me to labor in the area of communication....
Time
Time Tom Poland Posted November 22, 2022By Tom PolandA Southern Writerwww.tompoland.nettompol@earthlink.netYou know the song. “Time Is On My Side.” The Rolling Stones released it in 1964. Time was on my side back then, yes it was. It’s not today. And so for some reason, songs about time play in my...
We have much to be thankful for
Living on Purpose: We have much to be thankful for Dr. William Holland Posted November 21, 2022By Dr. William HollandI’ve always enjoyed Thanksgiving with my family but many times I become distracted from the intended purpose. Between football, conversations, and pumpkin pie, it’s easy to forget how much we have...
Pancho Villa’s Fighting South Carolina Gamecocks
Pancho Villa’s Fighting South Carolina Gamecocks Tom Poland Posted November 15, 2022By Tom PolandA Southern Writerwww.tompoland.nettompol@earthlink.netI’ll file this column under the category, Fowl History. Did Mexican Revolutionary War General, Pancho Villa, ride a train to Calhoun Falls, South Carolina to buy fighting gamecocks? Did he? Read on to unravel this...
Knowing God unites us in His love
Living on Purpose: Knowing God unites us in His love Dr. William Holland Posted November 14, 2022By Dr. William HollandThe opportunity to know God is the greatest invitation that has ever been given in the history of mankind. For those that have a passion to learn about Him and serve...
The Forsaken Land
The Forsaken Land Tom Poland Posted November 9, 2022By Tom PolandA Southern Writerwww.tompoland.nettompol@earthlink.netKudzu covered its outbuildings. The farm was lonesome so I turned around and stopped to visit it. Right off I saw a dusty mule collar hanging on a stable wall. The farmer and his mule were long gone,...
Joy and peace are a state of mind
Living on Purpose: Joy and peace are a state of mind Dr. William Holland Posted November 9, 2022By Dr. William HollandFear and stress are often blamed for ruining our contentment and happiness, but anxiety is not an uncontrollable monster that forces us to be afraid. Actually, these negative responses originate...
Love Story
Everything and Nothing: Love Story Aïda Rogers Posted November 9, 2022By Aïda RogersThere are all kinds of love in this world, and the one I’m in love with right now is right across the street. It involves my neighbor, Sharon, and Fancy, her cat.If you laugh I excommunicate you.As happens with...
The Colors Of Childhood
The Colors Of Childhood Tom Poland Posted November 3, 2022By Tom PolandA Southern Writerwww.tompoland.nettompol@earthlink.netI haven’t seen the old homeplace in a while. Not my homeplace, mind you, my childhood friend’s. That would be Sweetie Boy, he of the sweet temperament that spurred Granddad to nickname him. His Christian name is...
School using rivalry to tackle hunger
School using rivalry to tackle hunger Bob Sloan Posted November 2, 2022By Bob SloanWith both Clemson and South Carolina in the midst of winning seasons and driving toward a huge showdown on Nov. 26 in Death Valley, the in-state college football rivalry has everyone showing their true colors –orange and...
An election gratitude reflection
An election gratitude reflection Reba Campbell Posted November 2, 2022By Reba CampbellFor anyone who has worked in campaigns, the week leading up to the election is like no other experience. It’s a blinding minute-by-minute chaos of decisions on the fly, anticipating every possibility that could stand in the way of...
God’s authority rewards faith and obedience
Living on Purpose: God’s authority rewards faith and obedience Dr. William Holland Posted October 31, 2022By Dr. William HollandDedicating our heart to God will be our most important decision. Individuals who devote their lives to Christ are aware of what is at stake and embrace the burden of praying for...
A place of sanctuary
Everything and Nothing: A place of sanctuary Aïda Rogers Posted October 26, 2022By Aïda RogersThere are many words to describe the times we’re living in, and most connote noise. What a relief, then, to find a place where the noise is turned down, where vitriol won’t work, where collaboration, not competition,...
The Bygone Era Of Refinement
The Bygone Era Of Refinement Tom Poland Posted October 25, 2022By Tom PolandA Southern Writerwww.tompoland.nettompol@earthlink.netPrevious eras impress me. When I tour historic homes, for instance, the refined lifestyle their owners enjoyed stands in marked contrast to lifestyles today. The presence of fine china and sterling silver attest not just to...
How do we respond to temptation?
Living on Purpose: How do we respond to temptation? Dr. William Holland Posted October 25, 2022By Dr. William HollandThe painful truth about any type of addiction and temptation is there was an introduction and a personal agreement to entertain it. They knew it was wrong but made the conscious decision...
The Beauty of A Dry Dirt Road
The Beauty of A Dusty Dirt Road Tom Poland Posted October 24, 2022By Tom PolandA Southern Writerwww.tompoland.nettompol@earthlink.netThe creeks dribble. Shorelines drop. Leaves crunch. Colors fade. Birds queue up around my fountains. The lack of rain robbed us of a lot of fall color. I drove through the countryside this week....
The beauty of being broken before God
Living on Purpose: The beauty of being broken before God Dr. William Holland Posted October 17, 2022By Dr. William HollandHave you ever wondered if God is listening to you? One of His many divine attributes is that He is Omnipresent which means He is everywhere at the same time. His...
Fear Of Flying
Fear Of Flying Tom Poland Posted October 14, 2022By Tom PolandA Southern Writerwww.tompoland.nettompol@earthlink.netIt’s a good thing titles cannot be copyrighted. With apologies to Erica Jong, I title this self-confessional column, “Fear of Flying.” I cannot say I fear flying, but I am a most reluctant air traveler. I have reason to be. I’ve had two close encounters with...
The Dignified Mule
The Dignified Mule Tom Poland Posted October 11, 2022By Tom PolandA Southern Writerwww.tompoland.nettompol@earthlink.netLike Halley’s Comet, I’m predictable. I come around to the same subject matter every so often. When I do, it’s because something triggered memories. A few days ago I drove past Washington, Georgia’s Mule Day Festival at Callaway...
Ignoring God does not lessen our need for Him.
Living on Purpose: Ignoring God does not lessen our need for Him. Dr. William Holland Posted October 10, 2022By Dr. William HollandWithin the Christian faith, we are taught that every person will someday stand before God and have a discussion about how they lived. A few will argue, give excuses,...
The Lost Art Of Making Do
The Lost Art Of Making Do Tom Poland Posted October 6, 2022By Tom PolandA Southern Writerwww.tompoland.nettompol@earthlink.netHe was twenty-six when the Great Depression arrived, thirty-six when it ended. A decade of doing without taught him something about survival. “Keep something seven years and you’ll find a new use for it.” Granddad’s...
Being resilient when facing life’s challenges
Living on Purpose: Being resilient when facing life’s challenges Dr. William Holland Posted October 6, 2022By Dr. William HollandI was having a conversation with a good friend the other day, and he was telling me how life is becoming more difficult now that he is in his eighties. When he...
Lincoln Street
Lincoln Street Tom Poland Posted September 28, 2022By Tom PolandA Southern Writerwww.tompoland.nettompol@earthlink.netOne word. That’s all it takes, and the brain’s mystifying chemistry swirls past and present into an amalgam we call life. Phases pass before us in an experience akin to schizophrenia. We’re different people as we navigate life’s phases....
An Effigy Of Rock
An Effigy Of Rock Tom Poland Posted September 27, 2022By Tom PolandA Southern Writerwww.tompoland.nettompol@earthlink.netSomething like sixty years had passed since I saw it. This time, however, I saw it from above. The WPA built a beautiful tower of stone so you can get a birds-eye view of a bird of...
Are we dedicating or hesitating?
Living on Purpose: Are we dedicating or hesitating? Dr. William Holland Posted September 26, 2022By Dr. William HollandI attempt to keep my eyes and ears open to learn about the Holy Spirit and human behavior. In my spiritual journey, the situations I've encountered through counseling and teaching have graciously allowed...
A lifestyle of solitude and simplicity
Living on Purpose: A lifestyle of solitude and simplicity Dr. William Holland Posted September 20, 2022By Dr. William HollandThere is much to be desired when it comes to spending time alone. It’s only been in the last few years that the floodgates of voices have been opened to everyone at...
The Relentless Grind: Football’s Hidden Injuries
The Relentless Grind: Football’s Hidden Injuries Tom Poland Posted September 14, 2022By Tom PolandA Southern Writerwww.tompoland.nettompol@earthlink.netWinter Haven Florida, February 1996—I covered Cypress Gardens’ 60th anniversary for Ski World magazine. It was Florida’s oldest theme park, one where Southern belles wore hoop skirts, skiers leapt from ramps, and women skiers built...
Mud, crushed granite, and memories
Mud, crushed granite, and memories Tom Poland Posted September 13, 2022By Tom PolandA Southern Writerwww.tompoland.nettompol@earthlink.netNostalgia pulled at me hard. On the second Sunday in September, I decided to see three things that were no more. And so I drove up Georgia Highway 79 to mom’s old homeplace. Gone. As I...
Will we follow God or the world?
Living on Purpose: Will we follow God or the world? Dr. William Holland Posted September 9, 2022By Dr. William HollandChristians are accountable to love and pray for their family, and friends, and against evil everywhere, but unfortunately, many have lost the enthusiasm and the burden to ask God to set...
Aluminum, Glass, Rum, War, & Hemingway: When Timelines Cross
Aluminum, Glass, Rum, War, & Hemingway: When Timelines Cross Tom Poland Posted September 9, 2022By Tom PolandA Southern Writerwww.tompoland.nettompol@earthlink.netThe vessels resemble, cousins of a sort, my worn canteen and its shiny glass companion. The two came to me by dissimilar routes. A friend brought me the rum from Key West...
Old Island Haunts: Add Hazel’s Café to the list
Old Island Haunts: Add Hazel’s Café to the list Tom Poland Posted September 6, 2022By Tom PolandA Southern Writerwww.tompoland.nettompol@earthlink.netOld island haunts. The fever to develop islands didn’t destroy all of them. In a few instances, someone decided, “Not for sale.” And so you can still find old stores, cafes, and...
God builds His temple with living stones
Living on Purpose: God builds His temple with living stones Dr. William Holland Posted September 6, 2022By Dr. William HollandAs a Christian faith writer, I am blessed with God providing me with spiritual insights and considerations to relay to others. He creates opportunities for me to share, however, what I...
The Feared Invader
The Feared Invader Tom Poland Posted August 30, 2022By Tom PolandA Southern Writerwww.tompoland.nettompol@earthlink.netLet’s talk invasive species. One will bite you. You can bite the other. You can eat it, but given time it will entomb all you possess. Fire ants or kudzu? Which do people fear most?I believe kudzu tops...
Drowning The Past: What We’ve Lost
Drowning The Past: What We’ve Lost Tom Poland Posted August 30, 2022 By Tom Poland A Southern Writer www.tompoland.net tompol@earthlink.net I spent a lot of time on Clarks Hill Lake (Strom Thurmond Lake), during my teenage and college years. I camped, boated, and skied, but over the years lake fun...
Words can be forgiven but not forgotten
Living on Purpose: Words can be forgiven but not forgotten Dr. William Holland Posted August 29, 2022By Dr. William HollandWe will never rise above or go beyond what we believe and what we speak. It’s a spiritual revelation to comprehend that words have power and where there is privilege there...
Blink Book Review #12: In the Shadow of the White House by Jo Haldeman
Blink Book Review #12: In the Shadow of the White House by Jo Haldeman Reba Campbell Posted August 24, 2022By Reba CampbellThe 50th anniversary of Watergate this summer struck a real chord with me bringing back snippets of news stories from the summer I was eleven and heading into the...
The CCC: FDR’s Tree Army
The CCC: FDR's Tree Army Tom Poland Posted August 24, 2022By Tom PolandA Southern Writerwww.tompoland.nettompol@earthlink.netIf my mother didn’t like something, she’d tell you. If she liked something, you knew that too, and she liked the Civilian Conservation Corps, Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s “Tree Army.” That arboreal moniker resulted from the CCC’s...
The window of God’s grace is open
Living on Purpose: The window of God’s grace is open Dr. William Holland Posted August 22, 2022By Dr. William HollandGod has been stirring me for the last several years to realize there are many levels in our relationship with Him and that we are to be continually progressing through the...
The Pull Of The Macon Music Scene
The Pull Of The Macon Music Scene Tom Poland Posted August 19, 2022By Tom PolandA Southern Writerwww.tompoland.nettompol@earthlink.netI find my mind drifting back to Macon, and then I find myself driving kudzu-bordered roads. Macon, Georgia sits in the middle of Georgia. It’s not an easy drive from Columbia, South Carolina, to...
Blink Book Review #11: A Double Dose – “Enough Already” by Valerie Bertinelli and “Back to the Prairie” by Melissa Gilbert
Blink Book Review #11: A Double Dose - “Enough Already” by Valerie Bertinelli and “Back to the Prairie” by Melissa Gilbert Reba Campbell Posted August 17, 2022By Reba CampbellMy recent beach reading consisted of memoirs by two actresses from my childhood – Valerie Bertinelli (Barbara on “One Day at a...
Summer Ballet
Everything and Nothing: Summer Ballet Aïda Rogers Posted August 16, 2022By Aïda RogersThe focus is immense. Across from me, a woman with brown hair is fixed to her phone. To my left, a woman with blonde hair has grown into her iPad. Before me on a small chair, an Asian man...
The lines of communication are open
Living on Purpose: The lines of communication are open Dr. William Holland Posted August 15, 2022By Dr. William HollandThe path to victory was never promised to be an easy one. It’s filled with faith blended with hard work, persistence, and a passion to follow God’s directions. What type of victory...
Book Event Season Is Upon Us
Book Event Season Is Upon Us Tom Poland Posted August 11, 2022By Tom PolandA Southern Writerwww.tompoland.nettompol@earthlink.netShe asked, and I told her. “What’s the writing life like?”“It’s a sentence to solitary confinement. You work in isolation for long periods, and that’s a good, peaceful day most days.”However, the day comes when...
Blink Book Review #10: “The Splendid Beauty … A Dog and His People” by Rick Bragg
Blink Book Review #10: “The Splendid Beauty … A Dog and His People” by Rick Bragg Reba Campbell Posted August 11, 2022By Reba CampbellA young friend recently asked me to choose my favorite dog book. I had to think really hard on that one. I’ve read a whole lot of...
Voices from ‘a safe area not far’
Everything and Nothing: Voices from ‘a safe area not far’ Aïda Rogers Posted August 8, 2022By Aïda RogersTheir words come across my computer screen, words of explanation and description, dashed plans and new realizations. I receive them with no trouble in my cluttered South Carolina office. They’re from two young women...
God has a wonderful plan for you
Living on Purpose: God has a wonderful plan for you Dr. William Holland Posted August 8, 2022By Dr. William HollandGod loves you. This deserves repeating...God loves you! Sometimes people feel that no one cares but this is not true. Jesus proved how much He loved you when He gave His...
Blink Book Review #9: “These Precious Days” by Ann Patchett
Blink Book Review #9: “These Precious Days” by Ann Patchett Reba Campbell Posted August 3, 2022By Reba CampbellThis summer’s reading list has included books beyond the best-seller fiction I usually favor. Ann Patchett’s “These Precious Days” is one of those. This collection of 24 essays hits on topics ranging from...
The Power Of Moonlit Imagery
The Power Of Moonlit Imagery Tom Poland Posted August 2, 2022By Tom PolandA Southern Writerwww.tompoland.nettompol@earthlink.netHerman Melville created Moby Dick, the great white sperm whale that bit off Ahab’s leg. James Dickey had a 12-point white buck that swam from island to island in moonlight. And I recall boyhood tales of...
A checklist for people who don’t like summer
Everything and Nothing: A checklist for people who don’t like summer Aïda Rogers Posted August 1, 2022By Aïda RogersFor someone who dislikes summer as much as I do, I can’t help but marvel at the many good things it provides. Proof of a divine generosity? I think so. Because it seems...
Our character reflects what we love
Living on Purpose: Our character reflects what we love Dr. William Holland Posted August 1, 2022By Dr. William HollandMost of us have heard that having lots of money cannot buy love or bring happiness. Since I’ve never been mega-wealthy, I will trust God on this one. Most people are trying...
Sunshine Week 2022 | Andy Brack
Sunshine Week 2022 Column: Andy Brack Follow the law by making records, meetings always open for all For publication: Sunshine Week, 2022 686 words By Andy Brack MARCH 11, 2022 | South Carolinians share a common value that public meetings and the work of government should be done in public...
Sunshine Week 2022 | Richard Whiting
Sunshine Week 2022 Column: Richard Whiting Freedom of Information Act serves you, the public By Richard Whiting Have you participated in elections that put school board members, city and county council members or state lawmakers in office?Do you pay state and local taxes and, in return, receive services?Do you know...
Sunshine Week 2022 | Taylor Smith
Sunshine Week 2022 Column: SCPA Attorney Taylor Smith By SCPA Attorney Taylor Smith Sunshine Week has arrived and is our annual reminder that if governmental transparency is not achieved our democracy will also never be fully realized. Rejoice, though, the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (SCFOIA) exists and sets...