The answer was repeated over and over 60 years ago at Brookside Park. Pickup basketball games were played every day, year-round. When one of us grade school “stars” would mess up (drop a pass, commit a hard foul or accidentally throw an elbow while going for a rebound), he …
Who would have thunk? Certainly not me. Yet, this celebrates the 1,000th blog post I have written over the last decade. You have been so kind and supportive. Your email responses have encouraged me to keep writing. Much of your feedback has made me a brighter and better …
I was walking the path around Mills Park. My mind was cluttered. Things hadn’t gone my way all day. Three little girls (maybe age 5 or 6) were holding hands in a circle and singing “Fuzzy Wuzzy was a bear… Fuzzy Wuzzy had no hair.” I stopped and smiled, then laughed. I …
After thousands of responses to my blog and books, it arrived yesterday. A real email with a name change to protect my critic: Don, Your ego is through the roof. Why do you think anyone gives a damn about your pathetic life and your stupid dogs? You bore me and anger me at …
I wish some of the friendly skirmishes I have with Sherry could play out like a football game. She often accuses me of things I said or did that are totally off the mark. She thinks I went out of bounds in my behavior when my ”accurate” recollection tells a different …
When I was a little boy in Ames, Iowa, and out somewhere with my mom, Irene (the “supreme commander”), and my dad, Vern (the “indentured servant”), a beautiful scene would suddenly appear. It could be a hummingbird on a red rose or a rainbow appearing after …
It’s about to twinkle out. My birthday showed up, and now I’m only 365 days away from 80. What special thing did I do to celebrate? Nothing. My day fell into line with most of the previous days this year. I walked with my four dogs. Twice. I did the dishes. Twice I had …
When a close friend treats me in a lousy fashion (in my opinion), I try to figure out what I did to tick them off. I can go through all kinds of suppositions. It’s not a pretty scene inside my sensitive brain. There’s a lot of silly putty being stirred around. The answer is …
Perhaps a few of you are lucky enough to have no bad days. That’s not me. Often, I know where they originate: a sleepless night, severe back pain, losing my car keys and wallet at the same time, feeling guilty because I goofed up again, not getting what I want. I …
I am sad. We can do better. The tragic event this weekend in Pennsylvania touched me. The “me vs. them” mindset may show its ugly head most dramatically at all levels of government, but my job is to examine what I can do to turn the tide. The issue of a divided nation is a …
