Two weeks ago, when my zinnias were still blooming gangbusters, I was dreading the coming cold and inevitable death in the garden. But then on Halloween weekend, we got a blast of cold air, and literally overnight most of the annuals in my garden turned brown and wilted. After driving up to that depressing sight for over a week, I decided it was time to do some clean up. It also helps that we’re anticipating a very cold spell the next few days,...

We have had quite an election season here in North Carolina. You can’t turn on the TV without seeing an ad for Kay Hagan or Thom Tillis, with a smattering of judges and North Carolina senators rolled in. Or maybe I should say you see ads against Kay Hagan and Thom Tillis! I tend to tune them out. It’s hard to know what to believe from those ads, and they’re so sensational. But apparently my kids are paying attention. Carter announced last night...