Florida sheriff walking tall

I have a new hero. His name is Mike Chitwood, and he is the sheriff of Volusia County, Florida, which includes an area known as Daytona Beach.I assume you have heard of the place.

My David (part one)

Over the bathroom tub, hangs a small painting of a turn-of-the-20th-century high society woman, dressed in an orange, silk, off-the-shoulder dress. It matches the orange accents of the room.Tink came out of the bathroom recently, shaking his head. “Every time I see that painting, I have to laugh.

Goodbye, Helene, and good riddance

Hello, Hurricane Helene. Goodbye, Hurricane Helene. Please pardon us for showing a lack of Southern hospitality, but you were not welcome to come in the first place and we are glad to see you go.Speaking of hospitality, you didn’t show much yourself.

The once incredible friend

There was once a friend I had who was incredible.Remarkable. Exciting. Too splendid for any adjective in the English language.She is still my friend.But she no longer fits any description above. What she is now is what most of us are – ordinary. Normal.And, too often, downright ho-hum.But once?

Kindness is needed daily

Can we do it? You and I? Can we be kind? More importantly, can we be kind at least once a day for a whole month? I didn’t think this idea up, but I wish I had because it’s a great and muchneeded one.

The post card

At the kitchen table, where I often write if I’m not on the back porch, I was working when Tink walked in with the mail.Normally, he only opens “green” envelopes; these are envelopes that hold residuals from television shows he has written. Sometimes, the checks are for as much as $2.34.

Happy to be living in a happy state of mind

Are you happy? If so, I am happy. But you and I might be exceptions.I just read a report by WalletHub, a personal finance company, that ranks the 50 states on a number of metrics to determine which states are the happiest. Georgia is listed as the 20th mosthappy state.

The art of cursive

It happens frequently. A young person will ask me to sign a book I’ve written then look at it in awe for a few seconds before saying, “Wow. You know calligraphy!”No. Although I did once do it rather well so I addressed wedding invitations for friends.Perhaps I’ll take it back up again.

Honor the principles of the constitution

Every year on Sept. 17th our nation is blessed as we honor and celebrate our Constitution and Citizenship Day. On this day we are reminded of the enduring significance of the United States Constitution; a document that has shaped the fabric of our nation since its inception.

Why Floyd L. Griffin is the leader we need

In today’s divisive political landscape, the urgency of now demands a candidate who transcends party lines and embodies the values of integrity, experience, and compassion.In this critical moment, my godfather, Floyd L.Griffin, stands out as exactly that kind of leader.