While strolling, I wondered whatever happened to David Garland.

Happy birthday to Cindy Wibbenmeyer, Richard Graviett, Zachary McDaniel, Maggie Lancaster, Leo Schott, Teasha Totty, Caitlin Randolph, Jason Mott, Joanne Eastwood, Opaline Lincoln, Dewayne McAlister, Michael Lee, Gaylord Spane, Gina King, Michelle Neal, Seth Barnhart, Kimberlie Nothdurft, Bret Whitaker, Jennifer Siebert, Victor Powell, Ginny Harris, Doris Yahn, Hailey Jo Enderle, Heather McAlister, Donald Crowe, Annie Cobb, Wanda Rhymer, Bob Abernathy, Lisa Asmus, Craig Eftink, Susan Horman and Aaron Horrell.

Happy anniversary to Jerry and Linda Lee, Jim and Margaret Arteme and Larry and Glenda Pobst.

Tax season is here! Seniors can get free AARP tax help in February at the senior center.

What do you think about the new format of the Southeast Missourian's webpage? I think it's terrific -- faster, colorful and reader friendly.

Remembering true home teams

Many fans are upset about the move of the St. Louis Rams to California, and understandably so. The resulting feelings following the deception reminds me of a birthday card my sister Jo and I send back and forth every year. It pictures a bunch of ladies sitting around a table toasting with bottles of beer. The punch line reads, "We don't need no stinkin' cake." Jo and I are not beer drinkers, and we do like our birthday cakes, but the card always gives us a good laugh. When Texas Ranger Josh Hamilton was traded to the LA Angels, he made the comment that the Dallas/Fort Worth area didn't support baseball because they are all about football and the Dallas Cowboys. Well, that is not entirely true because the Rangers, Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars have large fan bases.

In keeping with the spirit of that birthday card, maybe we don't need no stinkin' NFL; we have the St. Louis Cardinals! We are looking forward to another great season from our talented, classy team and organization! Spring training starts in February. And, avid fan Jack Leslie Burnett would not want us to forget the Blues!

Regardless of the various teams relocating and upset fans, our weekends have been filled with the playoffs. At the end of today, we will know who will play in the Super Bowl on Feb. 7. Bring out the chips and dips! Have you tried Doritos Loaded in the frozen snack section?

Dishwashing debacle

I always tease my sister, Jo, when we get together at their home in the Texas Hill Country about her putting everything in the dishwasher and running it multiple times throughout the day. Items that could be easily washed by hand go straight to the dishwasher. Maybe it is a throwback to our young years, when we girls were responsible for washing the dishes. We often commented that Mother had four dishwashers: her daughters. We each had our assignment: the older one washed, the next in line dried and put the dishes up and the youngest swept the floor. We each moved up the rank as the years passed and, now that I think about it, Jo was off the hook for many years until she became of age. Disagreements often occurred during the process, when the dryer would question the cleanliness of an item and throw it back into the dishwater, much to the washer's vocal displeasure. The mayhem that ensued at the kitchen sink would have our mother promptly coming in to settle things down.

Dishes full of memories

It has been said that washing dishes can reduce stress by as much as 27 percent. And, it can boost mental inspiration by 25 percent for those who are solely concentrating on the chore. While caring for my mother, washing dishes was one of our favorite times together. I would wash and we would talk while she dried each item ever so carefully. It was a special time of togetherness, and I still think of her when I dry certain items at our kitchen sink. There is something to be said for washing our dishes by hand and, when you think about it, some of the most fun and memorable times happen in the kitchen!

Final thoughts

Remember to tell those special people in your life that you love them -- those three words mean so very much.

Our thoughts and prayers are with those who are missing loved ones, our homebound, those in hospitals and nursing homes and those undergoing cancer treatments. Please email your news and comments to darbuck2@airmail.net or leave a message at (573) 887-6430 or (214) 207-7839.

And then...

Then there were the NFL playoffs that dwindled down to an exciting two.