Marsha Henry Goff

Jest for Grins: Household odor spurs great mouse hunt
November 8, 2009
When we moved to the country, I was warned to watch out for field mice looking for a warm place in the house to winter.
Jest for Grins: Reader comments: Angry, funny, educational
October 4, 2009
Writers don’t write for money alone. It’s true: If writers had a theme song, it would be “Reach Out and Touch Someone.”
Local job growth, loss reflects choices
October 4, 2009
“New federal numbers that measure the overall size of a city’s economy found that Lawrence in 2008 ranked last among 34 cities in the Plains region in terms of per capita gross domestic product.” — Journal-World, Sept. 25
Jest for Grins: Absolute truths for travelers
September 6, 2009
You might say husband Ray and I have itchy feet and — whether we scratch that itch by air, sea or land — as long as our money holds out, we plan to travel.
Frustrated husband trying to outsmart raccoons
August 2, 2009
“This is the alarm company. May I have your name and password?” As I complied, I grinned in anticipation of the next question: “Is everything all right?”
Here’s the skinny on our city’s claim to fame
April 5, 2009
According to the Internet, there must be a lot of skinny, wrinkleless women walking around Lawrence … well, at least a couple of them.
Husband has penchant for rehabilitating raptors
March 1, 2009
On a recent drive down a county highway, I saw something that made me think my imagination was working overtime.
Wii Fit brings out couple’s competitiveness
February 1, 2009
Husband Ray and I spent the month of January skiing.
New car must prove itself before becoming family
January 11, 2009
Ol’Blu was a good car and, while I didn’t shed any tears when we traded her for a newer model, the lump in my throat confirmed that I wanted to.
Beloved pets merit remembrance on holidays, too
December 21, 2008
There’s a legend that animals are endowed with the gift of speech at midnight on Christmas Eve.
My kitchen? You could say it came with the house
November 2, 2008
I only have a kitchen because it came with the house! That statement was e-mailed to me by a friend who knew it expressed my view exactly. It’s not that I wouldn’t like to feel at home in the kitchen, it’s simply that - like a dog who chases a car and catches it - I haven’t a clue what to do with it.
Requiem paid to Clyde the camel, other neighborhood pals
October 5, 2008
I tend to be single-minded when I am shopping, so, if she hadn’t called my name, I might not have noticed my neighbor LaDonna as I passed her in the grocery aisle. LaDonna and her husband, Vic, care for a wonderful variety of critters, including Black Angus cattle, miniature donkeys, llamas, pheasants from all over the world, emus, trumpeter swans, hairy chickens, cranes, several dogs and a camel.
Showing one’s true colors not advisable in Missouri
August 3, 2008
“Oops,” I said to husband Ray as we entered the restaurant. “This may not be the best T-shirt to wear here.” The restaurant was TGI Friday’s in Columbia, Mo. - the heart of Tiger country - and I was wearing a bright red “beak ‘em Hawks” national basketball championship T-shirt. Worse, because it was raining, I’d slipped on my white jacket with a big Jayhawk on the back and KANSAS on the sleeve.
Road trip souvenir leaves tourist ticked off
July 6, 2008
With bare feet - sans DEET - shoved into red Crocs (will I never learn?), I stood in thick grass at Gettysburg and worried about chiggers while listening to our guide speak of the Civil War battle of Culp’s Hill. It was a long battle - three days - and, while husband Ray assures me that the guide didn’t talk THAT long, I’m pretty sure he didn’t leave out many details.
Dad, I hardly knew ye
June 15, 2008
I first called him Daddy, then shortened it to Dad. During my early teen years, I briefly flirted with calling him Lew but that felt silly and stilted even to me. I’m grateful I had the opportunity to know him as an adult, but - while I thought I knew him well -there was a part of his life that was closed to me.

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