Happy New Year

It's hard to believe it, but when I least expect it I am hit by another 'parenting epiphany.'

Let’s Share A Story …

September already. It just is not possible. School has started, summer (at least on the calendar, if not by the weather) is waning and there's a feeling of rejuvenation in the air.

Family Time

Recently, our family took a much-needed and well-anticipated camping trip into the mountains, to a place above North Fork called Mammoth Pools.

Mars And Venus On Vacation

Mommy Musings - In A Blink

Marg-Ins - Life Number Nine

Jawin’ w/Jagada - Talking About Second Chances …

Sorry, No Postcards

In Oregon, they say, it rains nearly every day and the residents have webbed feet to prove it. That's an exaggeration. I've just returned from a week's vacation in Oregon and can testify the overcast sky cleared by noon on five days out of seven and the locals do not have skin between their toes like ducks.

The temperatures were in the low 70s and balmy by my reckoning. The kind of summer weather I was used to while growing up in England.

Going To National

Do You Remember …

It is a day I will not soon forget.

Hot Holiday For Revelers

There were plenty of illegal fireworks bursting in the air Saturday night, July 4 - and a few fires as a result, one of which burned 11 acres at Duck Cove at Woodward Reservoir - but while several illegal fireworks were confiscated, no citations were given within the City of Oakdale, said officials.

Tee Time

I am preparing to play my first real golf game. I've been taking private lessons with a pro for a little while and it's time to hit the links. My significant other - who's always itching to play golf - says I'm ready for a round. I'm not sure that I feel ready but I'm going to give it a try anyway. Until now, about the closest I've gotten to playing is driving the cart.

Soothing The Soul

How nice of California to heat up to triple digits just as soon as I returned from a vacation to lush, green, rainy and non-humid upstate New York. What a welcome back.

What Can You Do…?

Slowly but surely Americans seem to be taking to the 'green' movement. Referred to by some as a 'trendy,' I will openly admit this is one 'trend' I am happy to be a part of.

Finally…A New Release

It's felt like forever (10 months between releases is too long in my estimation) but finally, my sixth book will hit the shelves the second week in July and I'm so excited.

EDITORIAL – Attention Oakdale – All Units: 11-99

As I write this, a named suspect wanted for attempted murder is on-the-lam, in a city that doesn't have any detectives to investigate its cases.

Attention Oakdale – All Units: 11-99

As I write this, a named suspect wanted for attempted murder is on-the-lam in a city that doesn't have any detectives to investigate its cases.

Marg-Ins – In With The New

Many of our readers may recall the little yellow VW bug that became former Riverbank News editor John Branch's 'signature' vehicle. We laughed (mostly with him) at the trademark jet engine sound when he fired the bug up, shared our concern when one of the wheels literally fell off as he was turning the corner to come to the Oakdale office – luckily he was close enough to park with three wheels intact – and celebrated with him when the bug went to storage and a newer, more reliable vehicle emerged.

Stuff ‘N Nonsense - Adjusting To The Dream Job

Who knew there would be an adjustment period to living the dream? I certainly didn't. Many of you know I published my first book in December 2006 and it's been a dream of mine for longer than I can remember to support myself solely on my fiction writing income. After many years of incredibly hard work, I managed to make that dream a reality and I left my post at The Leader to live the dream.

RICH IN THOUGHT -Toes In The Water, You Know The Rest

As I write this column, I am planning to be off work for an ROTC assignment.

Reporter’s Notebook – A Tainted Finish

Monday, April 15 did not start for me as it did my friend and running teammate Cathy McClelland or Oakdaleans Vanessa Walton and Tom Burchell, or Jesse Santana of Riverbank. I did not board a motor coach in my sneakers with a race bib pinned to the front of my shirt in anticipation of running the 117th Boston Marathon.

Marg-ins - No Fooling Around

No need to check the calendar and this isn't an April Fool's Day joke – I am just trying to get my column schedule back 'on track' after having been haphazard about it the last couple of months. I know one ran just last week, so forgive me for the back-to-backs.

Marg-Ins - Two Decades And Counting

Twenty years goes faster than you think. Trust me.

Marg-Ins - Love Lost … And Found

More than a week past deadline, I finally have taken a few deep breaths and will try to get this column written. Typically, the 'Marg-Ins' column appears the first Wednesday of the month, which means it is running a week later than normal this time.

Rich In Thought – All The X’s, L’s, V’s And I’s

The Super Bowl Season is upon us as many of us gather for what is as close to an American holiday as it can get.

Still Matters – The New Girl

Hello, Escalon, Oakdale, and Riverbank. I am the new girl at the Oakdale Leader office. You may have seen my name on a few different articles, pictures, or both in various issues. Or by now, you may have even met me in person.

Community Corner – What’s Growin’ On …

Happy New Year! We all survived the Mayan calendar apocalypse and the "Fiscal Cliff" – kind of started to remind me of the Y2K phenomenon 13 years ago.

Stuff ‘N Nonsense - A Graceful Exit

I have an issue with finality. At the end of every year, as everyone is celebrating the ball drop on a New Year, I'm lamenting the fact that I'll never be in that moment again - another year lost to time, never to experience again. In that second before the big calendar change, I panic just a little knowing that it's over. I'm happy to report that the panic doesn't last but I can always count on it because I hate endings.

RICH IN THOUGHT - Be Prepared, Do Something, Denial Kills

I was originally going to do this column about family quirks around the holidays, but with the tragic events over the last few weeks with the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut and the Clackamas Mall shooting in Oregon, we are reminded of the ever increasing threat of an active shooter anywhere in the country. Not holiday feel good stuff, but something we can't ignore.

Ramblings – This Scribbler Calls It Quits

Resigning from any job is bound to quicken the heartbeat but retiring from a career is downright frightening. I did just that at the end of November although I've been on medical leave since August.