She was often the person who lifted others with her laughter and a “you are looking great, honey.” No matter where you saw her, she had a smile. Her life was not…
Category: Editorials
Emerald’s Gem Box: Memorial Day
America will celebrate Memorial Day next Monday. With this holiday comes a day off from work, family gatherings, cook-outs, beach trips, a day outside, or just another day at work (depending on…
Around the Banks: Let’s go fishing
Fishing, let’s go fishing. I have seen lots of fish photos shared on Facebook. Like talking about the weather, some folks seem to never tire of fishing. It’s a good past time….
Around the Banks: Memories
My maternal grandparents, the late J. Boman and Annie Taylor lived outside Live Oak off of Nobles Ferry Road. I traveled with my parents to Live Oak many times during my childhood….
Around the Banks: Dorothy L. Bryant
I first met her in the fall of 1970 and I was immediately stricken by her mellifluous speaking voice—each word, each syllable pronounced with precision. She reminded me a lot of the…
Dorothy L. Lord, PhD
Dr. Dorothy L. Lord passed away on Sunday, May 2, 2021, in Fernandina Beach, Fla., following a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s. Lord was born at home on the family farm in Suwannee…
Emerald’s Gem Box: A woman was created differently on purpose
“Our generation is so busy trying to prove that women can do everything men can do, women are losing the unique qualities that set us apart; the God-given femininity and unique way…
Around the Banks: Cookies and water
Anyone who knows anything about “our Florida,” knows that Florida’s major industry is tourism. Today, the destination for most people is the coast of Florida or Disney World, but around the turn…
Deeper Wells: Attack is all the proof you need
Think about it for a minute. The only purpose of an attack is simply because your enemy anticipates your success. Otherwise, there is no reason for the attack. When you study the…
Deeper Wells: Mentors and mistakes
There are two ways to gain wisdom: mentors and mistakes. Mistakes are for those who are unwilling to sit at the feet of a mentor. May I suggest, though, pick a good…
Around the banks
Part of the lyrics of a song made famous by The Rolling Stones brought to mind days of childhood living, when many things cost very little but required, at times, some movement…
Deeper Wells: Little hinges swing big doors
It has been said that “little hinges swing big doors and tiny keys open big vaults.” I believe this could not be a more truer statement. Oftentimes it seems that we somehow…
Around the banks
You open the door and your heart begins racing, as you are immediately hit with that unmistakable antiseptic smell. You make your way to the brand new machine that has been placed…
Emerald’s Gem Box: America is losing her freedoms
This past week, YouTube deleted a video of a roundtable discussion between Gov. Ron DeSantis and medical experts from Oxford, Stanford and Harvard. In the video, the doctors and medical experts were…
With so many plant choices, how do I select plants in my North Florida yard?
A visit to our local nurseries will leave gardeners drooling or broke. From purple tomatoes to lime green shrubs, there are so many plants to choose from. To save you money and…
Around the banks
The back screened porch was cool and inviting and the late spring day was clear and warm. We sat in cane-back rocking chairs on the back porch and we both drank a…
Emerald’s Gem Box: When you’re accustomed to privilege, equality feels like oppression
I recently saw a story on Facebook entitled “When You’re Accustomed to Privilege, Equality Feels Like Oppression” and thought, “AMEN!” Then I saw who had posted the story and felt sure that…