Yarbrough: Fulton County DA finds herself in ‘fine mess’

When something went awry in one of their old slapstick movies, Oliver Hardy would declare to the hapless Stan Laurel, “This is a fine mess you’ve gotten us into.

Crane: Salute to Saban

Seeking a brief respite from this bitter cold snap, and the flaming rhetoric of the national political scene, I offer a warm and genuine salute to a man of intelligence, ability, and leadership ... even though he leads a team I do not support toward victories which I almost universally oppose.

Rich: When the good ones leave

Over the past few years, I’ve lost too many loved ones who meandered out of this life and crossed the River Jordan. “I don’t know why the Lord keeps taking the good ones and leaving the bad ones,” I complained to a friend, recently widowed. Her husband had been a celebrated legend of the ages.

Yarbrough: Voters, not courts, should decide presidential choices

In case you haven’t noticed, there is an election scheduled for this November to choose the Leader of the Free World. As of this writing, the choice is between two candidates that a majority of the American people don’t particularly care for.

Smith: Taking the high road

After the seconds had evaporated from the scoreboard clock at Mercedes-Benz Stadium a little more than a month ago, I watched Kirby Smart, bitterly disappointed, stride across the playing field with measured alacrity to congratulate Alabama’s Nick Saban on his victory.

Rich: The river birch trees

Three river birch trees surround our home. I planted them three years after I built this house. River birches are pretty trees. They grow long, toward the sky, and spread a beautiful canopy of shade. The trunks are interesting and artistic as the bark is constantly curling into pieces.

Yarbrough: Some advice for the new year

Dear Cameron: Well, here we go again. To Cameron Charles Yarbrough, it’s a new year so here’s some more unsolicited advice from your great-grandpa. We have been at this quite a while, so I hope these observations have been of some value to you.

Crane: Much more still to be done

I remain a strong son of the South, the product of a Mason-Dixon marriage (Mom from Hoover, a suburb of Birmingham, Dad and the Crane family hailing from upstate New York).

Smith: The good ole days of Florida

For years, when visiting a new city, I would begin the trip by taking a Gray Line tour, which was a good way to learn about the city’s history and development. Very touristy, but very informative.

Rich: The high cost of Crisco

From the car, I toted in bags of heavy groceries. I have become my mama. Mama mostly bought staples: five-pound sacks of flour and cornmeal as well as gallon jugs of sweet milk and buttermilk.