Opinion

Dec. 11, 2012 — The problem: How to carry firewood down the steep hill in my backyard without falling.

Before the snow arrived, I carefully sidestepped down the slope toting a canvas carrier filled with split wood.

But now the already slippery slope proved treacherous in the snow. There would be no sidestepping — not even in my snow boots.

I thought about buying some metal cleats or those contraptions that attach like snow chains to the bottoms of shoes, and even briefly contemplated borrowing some golf shoes, but it still seemed dangerous.

Dec. 11, 2012 — With the recent turmoil reemerging between Israel and Palestine, I can’t help but ponder the significance, or lack thereof, of all the fighting.

  The division between the two has gone on since before the formation of Israel in 1948. Jews from Eastern Europe fled to Palestine to escape pogroms. Resistance to the migration was evident then, but picked up mainly during the massive exodus of Jews after World War II.

  The many reasons, claims and justifications of war are too numerous to mention, or even comprehend. Both sides lay justifiable claim to the area, a fact that intensifies the conflict.

Dec. 4, 2012 — I found my first gray hair at the young age of 26, which was not surprising because my dear old dad found his at 24. He’s now 61 and has a full head of snowy white wavy hair (in a pony tail no less). Since having children eight years ago, my pesky whites are taking over my head at an alarming rate.

As a woman, I have the option of dyeing my hair (and spending about $100) every couple months in an attempt to cover the pale strands. Or, I can choose to let my new gray hairs slowy mingle with my dark brown waves (and smile politely when friends comment on how gray I’m getting).

Dec. 4, 2012 — Kudos is what I’d like to give freely to the residents who have contributed to making their weekly newspapers sparkle with community pride.

Photos, emails and calls with information, a whisper here and a holler there, it all adds up to the newspapers that receive constant comments and compliments from those who visit here from the big cities.

What makes your hometown weekly so special?

From the comments, it’s actually what we don’t have.

It’s the lack of canned news from the wire, the state and national news feeds; the stuff you watch on television every day.