When I was eight both of my grandfathers were sixty, which in 1956 actually was old. They were already stoop-shouldered and mostly liked to sit shirtless in lawn chairs in the hot sun for hours, smeared with sun tan oil. They wore suspenders and their... Continue
Columnist
A glance at the school district’s report of its 2016 performance on statewide testing reveals the sad shape of our schools. But if leaky roofs and broken air conditioners are bad, the less-than-standard educational output – what manufacturers might call their “scrap rate” -- is... Continue
In 1943, my father exchanged his iceman’s uniform for a suit and tie. Union Ice Company was having financial difficulties, and Dad had enough sense to get out of the cold. Offered a management position with Sprouse Reitz, he had the option of running a... Continue
One reason I sometimes feel dissatisfied with life is that my expectations are too high. In fact, this is the primary reason. I expect, for example, that candidates for President of the United States will have been taught good manners like politeness and not interrupting... Continue
I recently read a news story about a teacher in Utah who has suspended her longtime civics lesson held every four years to teach her students about presidential elections. Instead of assigning her pupils to watch debates, interview their parents, and engage in classroom discussions,... Continue
Donald Trump recently justified his gutter-talk about women by calling it "locker-room" banter, and added that he's heard much worse from Bill Clinton while playing golf. To his avid male supporters, Donnie's potty-mouth probably sounds good; there are millions of men who talk trash about... Continue
For many people, there's something about the present that's just not good enough, the nagging feeling that what's happening now needs to better, is in some way insufficient and unsatisfying. Out there, tomorrow, in the future, things will be better. Even if we like our... Continue
Could acts of kindness really change the world? It sounds corny, but, Marianne Williamson says, “The me-first attitude that pervades our society is the source of our unhappiness.” Maybe generosity could change this crazy planet for the good? Remember when the car in front of... Continue
It’s OK to say it out loud. They are the darlings of the local economy and of every politician driving under the influence of wine industry campaign contributions, but they can be a pain in the butt. We’re talking about Tourists. Yes, though you might... Continue
Remind me, Dear One, to Tell you the fable about the Atom that hungered to be a Molecule. Most of us believe that what elevates a person in society is intelligence and talent, but this is not entirely true. Intelligence and talent are not insignificant;... Continue