Kelly Learns
A compilation of my columns from the Sunday issues of the Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona.
I’ve been writing an every-other Sunday column for the Daily Courier in Prescott, AZ since late 2020, thanks to the kind encouragement of long-time columnist Ron Barnes, who spent over 30 years contributing his wisdom not only to the newspaper but to many other people and organizations in the Prescott area. He put in some good words to the publisher and editor for me when he decided to retire from column writing. It’s one of those gifts you never knew you wanted and then realize how grateful you are to have it.
The Daily Courier has exclusive rights to my column for 60 days after publication, which is why you might be reading a Christmas column in February. I love writing but seem to need a project and deadline to do it. Hopefully this blog will inspire me to write more. Thanks for stopping by to check out my site!
Losing the sparkle
I didn’t notice it was missing right away. When you wear a wedding ring for 28 years, you take it for granted it’s always on your finger. Much like the invisible glasses I push up my nose out of habit, my thumb automatically twirls the stone back to the outside of my ring finger when it rolls around to the inside. Sunday morning, I noticed my hand looked odd. The ring was gone. I searched all the places it might be—dresser, jewelry box and nightstand. I checked the pockets of my purse and the clothes in the laundry hamper. I tried to remember everything I had done Saturday and why I might have taken it off — something I rarely do and only when I’m hands-deep in something messy or sticky that would gunk up the ring. I shook out the bathroom rugs and used a bright flashlight to check the...
Wonderful
I’m a fan of funerals. I know that sounds weird, but I was reminded while attending fellow Noon Lion and longtime Daily Courier columnist Jerry Jackson’s service last weekend how much you can learn about the someone’s life by showing up to one. Seems a lot of folks...
Aging gracelessly
When we heard a scraping noise followed by a loud hissing sound as we backed down the driveway Sunday afternoon, I knew before Mike stopped the car that it was bad. I was hoping maybe the tire had hit one of the many sharp rocks that line the triangular wedge of land...
Always remember
The dusty smell of monsoon rain in the air this past week reminded me that we have reached another anniversary of the Yarnell Hill Fire and the tragic deaths of the 19 Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshots. Eleven years ago, we were still pretty new to Prescott. I had...
The joy of being bored
We decided to take a long weekend in Yucca, Arizona over the Memorial Day weekend with our dogs. When I told friends where we were going, I was met with some confused stares. “Where’s Yucca?” they’d say. If you haven’t been to Yucca, population 96 as of 2020, I’m not...
Second time around
When Wanda and Bill Starkman first met and fell in love, they were 16 and 20. Bill noticed Wanda walking by the pool hall he frequented in Blythe, California, and thought she was the prettiest girl in town and asked her out. They went on a few dates and six weeks...
The places you’ll go
I sat down in the hard wooden chair, squeezing my knees into the tiny space allotted to me in the middle seat of section 220, Row 13 of the Sky Dome in Flagstaff, surrounded by thousands of other proud family members waiting to see someone they love walk across the...
The Mediocre Gardener
I’m not sure what color my thumb is exactly. I know it’s not green. But when the pansies show up at the local garden center in early April, I have to buy at least one pot, even though I know I’m likely dooming them to a life of struggle. Luckily, they don’t do...
A Mighty Roar
It’s hard to close the door on 45 years of tradition, but the other night we voted with one final clang on the ceremonial brass bell to disband the Prescott Evening Lions Club. While I’ve enjoyed being president these last three years, I didn’t want to assume the role...
Before I die
Depending on where you are in life right now, it might feel like there are endless days ahead of you. Or perhaps you are slightly more seasoned, like I am, with mailings from AARP and Medicare creeping into my inbox and mailbox on a regular basis. Whatever your age,...
Be the match
You wouldn’t expect a vacation request to your supervisor to be life-changing, but for one local couple, it might mean they can finally take their two kids on a vacation without having to get back the next day for a dialysis session. I popped in at a local assisted...
Taking the plunge
Last week, I found myself in a nostalgic email exchange with a woman named Julie from Nisswa, Minnesota, population 2,032. I’m sure she didn’t expect to get an email from a distant coworker in Arizona asking her weird questions about whether Deer Forest and the...