Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “There is properly no history, only biography.” That means…
Life-wise
Olympic gold: is it worth it?
I have never had much interest in watching any sports. This year, things began to change. While…
A letter from the campsite
Those of us fortunate enough to reach our late 70s sometimes have to justify our actions to the…
In the winters of my discontent
Just before writing this, I made a serious blunder. I looked out the window. Normally, that…
Great adventures never cease
Michael J. McManus, newspaper columnist and radio commentator, claims that adventure is a key…
Hijacking the great American dream
Back in the days of my childhood and youth we made a number of trips to and from the west. Back…
Can civility and politics merge?
The word civility has come to my attention a number of times in recent weeks, making me…
Sudden tears
When you have lost a dear friend or relative, a sense of grief and loss always remains nearby,…
Dodging the big issues
Columnists have days when we sit in front of our computers wondering what to write about; or should…
Praising deserving women
You all read or saw media reports about Kimberly Munley, who shot the Fort Hood gunman. Mighty…
Laughter after 70
Every Thursday morning, Anna and I go to a coffee hour. Well, actually, more than Anna…
A tale of two landlords
It was the best of times; it was the worst of times. It was the era of rent controls; it was the…
A grandpa remembers winter
When I was 8, the snow raced ahead of a growling, snarling wind and tumbled in huge drifts behind…
Lost in his own back yard
When trying to decide which adventuresome trip I should share with my readers each month, I tend to…
Heroes or publicity seekers?
Some years ago an American TV show aired its choices of those it considered the world’s…