Some of my most embarrassing moments while in high school happened while I was forced by my mother to join my dad, Vern, in doing the weekly laundry. It included all the dirty underwear for the entire family. Of course, the laundromat was located right across the street from …
For those of you who enjoy my Aging blog, I recommend The 80-Something Blog written by Judy Kugel. Judy is a few years older than me in experience, and I learn from her wisdom each week. And we are polar opposites. Judy strikes me as a woman who has done everything right. …
Hi Mom, I understand Saint Peter finally let you in through the gates to heaven. After all, you’ve been waiting 20 years due to a major misunderstanding. You were formally charged with lying about the achievements of your youngest son. That would be me. When you told your …
Forming little, positive habits can make quite a difference. For about three months, I’ve added a new ingredient to my early morning coffee. Typically, it’s around 5:30 a.m., and I sit in my favorite stuffed chair in the living room, my hands wrapped around my warm cup. I …
I know it’s sick to think this way, but I can’t help myself. About six months ago, I started looking at various tables representing life expectancy. It’s like I want to make sure I beat the survival average for my gender and nationality. There are many ways the experts can …
This morning, I spotted a long, white hair growing out of the top of my right ear. I don’t know how long it had been hanging around – or who else may have discovered it and said nothing. It made me think of this elderly gentleman who works a crossword puzzle each morning at …
I’m not saying there aren’t a lot of exciting, romantic moments as Sherry and I cement our relationship well into our 70s – but the glue that holds it all together is gin rummy. We play every day – often several times a day. Our first game begins before 6 a.m. We sip coffee, …
Many years ago, a mentor of mine gave me a wonderful piece of advice that has never left me. Frank Tate said, “Don, don’t trade in one friend for another. Accumulate them like rare gems. The more you have, the greater the glow.” I’ve been lucky. I’m blessed with many …
People in my age group have a piece of knowledge that should be passed on to younger generations: “Life is good, but it’s not always fair.” For years, I thought some great judge was up there making sure that outcomes would be parceled out based on a fairness scale. If I did …
So I go into my office yesterday morning, and there is a plain, brown paper-wrapped package on my desk. There is no note hinting at what’s inside or where it came from. With some reservation, I tear it open to find the book Pictorial History of the Wild West. I smile and …