Orchids to …
• Gracie Webb for her compassionate report on the plight of refugees.
• Mayor Kristen Brown for investigating and finding the county’s “lost revenue,” which will save us from at least one, and possibly three, new taxes proposed in county meetings.
• Columbus trash and leaf removal workers for excellent pickup service when we were somehow missed on our regular day.
• Columbus General Baptist Church for its service and dinner, the Rev. Larry Fields for his sermon and Homeward Bound for the concert Sunday — all of them awesome.
• Second Baptist Church for its awesome community meal Saturday.
• the Speer family for the use of the shop vac, from a friend.
• East Columbus Christian Church for an awesome Thanksgiving supper.
• Doug Logan for his accurate, excellent letter regarding the federal government.
• the county for a great job striping Marr Road.
• the cast and crew for the excellent performance of the play “M’Liss,” at Hauser High School.
• Carol and her helpful staff, Lisa and Kathy, for all your help, from Brent.
• Kevin Lair for your letter about leadership.
• the fantastic rehab staff, David, Lora, Pat, Erin, Amy and Nathan. You guys do great work.
• Mayor Kristen Brown for the excellent letter Sunday and your fiscal sensibilities.
• Morgan and Alyson and the third-floor team at Columbus Regional for excellent care during my stay, from the Rev. Grant Swartz.
Onions to …
• the group opposing the apartment development on the north side of Goeller Boulevard by Tipton Lakes for not realizing the west side needs population growth for better restaurants and shopping.
• people who can’t clean their own homes.
• the state official for turning away a family that was vetted by Catholic Charities, had gone through at least 13 months of physical exams and background checks and has been waiting for three years to come to the U.S.
• the people who think they are cool and vape in the movie theater or stores.
• whoever stole the radio microphone out of my vehicle.
• the train engineer for excessive use of the horn late Friday night when there was no traffic.
• people who offer houses for rent knowing they may be foreclosed upon, and letting the renters do improvements and repairs.
• the small number of people who regularly send in Onions taking shots at the current administration.
• the newspaper for a horrendous headline to wake up to on the front page of the Sunday paper.
• the letter writer who is blind to the fact that one culture’s religion allows lying to protect their real beliefs.
• the newspaper for the repulsive and vulgar headline on Sunday’s front page.
• county officials who are supposed to protect our hard-earned tax dollars for forgetting where you placed the “lost revenue.”
• the city board that is “chicken” in making a decision on banning chickens within city limits.
• the consummate professional’s unprofessional letter in the newspaper.
• the Columbus movie theaters for not showing the movie “Spotlight.”
• the need for turn arrows at the traffic lights on 10th Street at Marr Road, McClure Road and Gladstone Avenue.
• church leadership that allowed only their families and certain members to attend the Blessed Child event and dinner when all church members purchased the gifts hoping to see the joy and excitement of those who opened the gifts.
• the restaurant that didn’t properly train employees, then yelled at them and treated them with hostility.
• all the hypocrites in town who think they are better than those who are in jail, who constantly ridicule and belittle them and talk down about them when they are just as human as everyone else.
• the nonprofit that pays someone a weekly wage to do nothing but organize supplies, adding more work on to working people who have their hands full.
• the nonprofit organization that has poor management.
• the newspaper that sensationalized a front-page story at the expense of the victims.
• the father who took his daughter off seizure medication, and she is now having seizures.
• the car dealer whose lot lights blind you.
• people who hit an animal and don’t stop to move it to the side of the road.
• people who crowd neighborhood streets by parking on the road when they have an empty driveway that should be used.
• people who lie to make others look bad.
• the newspaper for its sleazy, tabloid-style headline in Sunday’s paper.
• the three ladies who blabbered nonsense all through an art event, making it impossible for others to concentrate on the project and ruining a relaxing day with my daughter.
Happy Birthday to …
• Julie Toschlog, from your co-workers and Donna.
• Kris Whipker, from your wife and Donna.
• Jay Allman, from your sister Alice.
• Joan Allman, on No. 78, from everyone in the Allman and Maschino families.
• Jessica Hansford and son, Ryder, from the family.
• Willow, on No. 7, from G.G.
• Taylor Jessup from Gram.
• Teresa Buck from your sisters, Ava and Brenda, and family.
• ANOTHER beautiful morning
