Reading for Relationship
What does the Bible offer and how do I read it? Like anything written that we encounter, we must decide how to read it. Do we need to study it or browse the headlines? Do we need the details or just the overview? Do we read it as news, as art, or for entertainment? […]
Weekends Are For Resting
Is it just me or does it feel like we are all moving faster than usual and trying to accomplish more than ever? I find myself feeling exhausted in a way that isn’t solved by a good nap. In fact, sometimes naps make things worse, because I feel guilty for not being productive. As I […]
Who’s responsible for those 401(k) fiduciary duties?
Jerry Seinfeld memorably turned the idea of being responsible on its head during the “The Blood” episode of his ‘90s TV show. Small business owners take on responsibility like they breathe. Sales, inventory, benefits, collections, IT, HR, payables, banking, etc. The challenge and unlimited potential of being in charge is what drives the entrepreneur. While […]
Cookin’ With Hoss: Texas Caviar
It’s just around the corner. Yes, the summer soiree season is coming right up, and you can’t do anything about it, so you might as well be prepared. There will be numerous invitations to get-togethers coming in, many of which you will be expected to bring a dish to contribute to the communal table. What […]
Ready to get away? Try a COMO staycation
In my role as mayor, one of my favorite tasks to do is provide the welcome at visiting conferences and large meetings being hosted in Columbia. Often when this happens in other cities, the mayor providing welcome will jokingly encourage the attendees to go out and spend money to boost the local sales tax. While […]
Questions and Arrows
What is prayer and how do we pray? Such a good question. Like any relationship we have, we need communication to build intimacy and trust. Being in a relationship involves speaking and listening to one another. The same is true in our relationship with God. To be straightforward, prayer is the language we have for […]
Empowering the Next Generation
I am honored to be one of the first to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the remarkable individuals featured in this special edition — Columbia’s 20 Under 40 recipients for 2024. As the superintendent of Columbia Public Schools, I celebrate the outstanding achievements of these dynamic young leaders who are shaping the future of our community. […]
Cookin’ With Hoss: Hot Bacon Dressing
Springtime in Missouri. There’s probably not a better season to enjoy, although being able to experience all four seasons is certainly a benefit of living in our region. Just as you get really tired of the heat of summer or the cold gray of winter, a fresh season is just around the corner. But none […]
Reflections: Counting the Years
As I celebrated my fortieth birthday, it felt like a significant milestone, a point of reflection on the passage of time and the aging process. Yet, as the years have rolled by, that milestone has faded into memory, and I find myself pondering the notion of age and how it truly affects our sense of […]
I Am the Bread of Life
We often live in fear that we won’t have what we need. I remember when my husband and I were first married. We headed into Chicago with a friend to walk around downtown. As dusk approached, we were getting hungry, but couldn’t find a restaurant. Finally, we stumbled upon Dunkin’ Donuts and bought a donut […]
Thankful and Optimistic: Reflecting on 20 Under 40
In 2016, I was recognized in CBT’s 20 Under 40 class. I had never heard of it before and, to be honest, when I first received the notification that I had been nominated I was a little taken aback. As a woman, I didn’t like to draw attention to the fact that I was also […]
A Moment to Reflect
This last week has been filled with opportunities to really reflect on what we are doing at COMO Companies and why. Sometimes in the rush of schedules, the stress of budgets, and the general responsibilities that come with owning a business, the effect of my work can become overshadowed, and I can feel overwhelmed. While […]