I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on television. And while I don’t know about stuff like diseases, antibiotics and medical billing, I do share one trait with those in the medical profession: my handwriting stinks.

I think a lot about food. I think most people think a lot about food. Sure, I’ve heard of those folks who really don’t put much thought or effort into eating, they just view meals as a chore required to survive, much like I do laundry.

There has been discussion around the area recently about cities, counties and police departments in the area using mobile cameras, which can record license plates, car makes and models and in some cases even more information.

The year 2025: that was interesting. So now we wipe the slate somewhat clean and start it all over again, meetings, school days, graduations, summer fun, new school year, elections and getting ready for Christmas. There, I made 2026 go by about as quickly as it seems like this past year did.

Today, we observe not only the most festive, but also most significant religious holiday of the year, Christmas Day.

I know I have written several times in recent weeks about my book, “Welcome to the Smalltime.” It started as a request by my wife, Leslie, to collect some of my old columns, then grew into a research project and finally the book.

Sometimes things get so hectic that I don’t have a chance to pay attention to details, so there might be a national news story or interesting gossip item that I overlook. Sometimes I even have trouble keeping up to date on appointments and events that I have on my calendar.

The strangest thing happened this week. I was sitting, looking at the walls in my office (that part is not strange, it is how I spend about 72.3 percent of my day) and got to looking at some of the junk on my walls. The more I stared at them the more I realized the junk on the wall in front of me should be on the wall at one side.

Today is Thanksgiving, one of truly special days we get to enjoy each year. Even if for just a short day, most of the worries and concerns of the world can be put aside as we take time to thank God for all of the blessings he has bestowed upon us.

Boy, how time flies. It seems like just last week everyone was fired up about the Chiefs. Suddenly, not so much. I will take my share of the blame, in fact I told people last Friday to bet on “the Donkeys.”

I think the major defining time in my life came just over a half of my lifetime ago. I categorize those years as my personal B.C. and A.D., “before child” and “after Derek.” It is a delineation that occurred 35 years ago tomorrow.

Harrisonville is the only jurisdiction in the area to have anything on the ballot in Tuesday’s election. But the three items voters are being asked to approve in the city could determine much about the direction of the city’s future.

As a member of the news industry, I am always fascinated to follow how news is received. For example, we might write a big story about something-or-other that we think is a big deal.

With all of the theories about artificial intelligence and machines taking over the world, there are occasional incidents that can really make us pause and think about how things could actually be proceeding.

I am reminded of 2015 Major League Baseball All Star Game balloting when Kansas City voters jumped on the bandwagon and at one point, eight of the nine starting positions were held by Royals players.

Next week is National Newspaper Week, which I am not really sure is an officially designated event by some governmental entity, or something we newspaper folk made up, but regardless, I thought this might be a chance to share a few tidbits from around the Tribune and Times offices.

I don’t really know how it is possible, but a bunch of music I grew up listening to is now really old. Friday night, some of my gang joined me in Blue Springs for a concert from one of my all-time favorite bands.

Last week was my big brother’s birthday. I call him my big brother even though I am a couple inches taller and much heavier, he came first so he was always older and therefore bigger.

I have been putting off making this major announcement until I could confirm it could happen. I have confirmed it could happen, so I am announcing it: I am writing a book.

Some days are just harder to get around and go to work. I must admit, Tuesday was one of those days. First, it was the day back after a three-day weekend. Secondly, it is the first day after Labor Day which psychologically ends summer and starts the mad dash through the holidays.

I remember a few years back at the opening game of the Harrisonville Wildcats football season a banner was held up stating: “There are two seasons, football season and getting ready for football season.”

Looking through some old columns the other day, I came across one from 1994 about the death of a very, dear friend and mentor Jim Murray. It is another case of how unbelievably time flies as I would have never guessed he died 31 years ago.

Dear Teacher, Today, I watched my child take off for school. It was both a happy and sad time for me. It was happy because I saw my child heading off into the wonderful world of education. It is a chance for my child to be with friends and enjoy all the wonders of growing up.

I’ve spent a lot of time on the road recently, whether for vacationing travel, work or just running errands, I have gotten lots of time in behind the wheel. I’ve also been taking inventory of all the electronic gizmos the newer cars have.

I am likely not the best person to opine about the trials and tribulations of the summer’s heat. I work in an air-conditioned office, go home in an air-conditioned car to an air-conditioned home.