Death of a Station Wagon & the End of an Era
July 15, 2019 living
You can’t trust people. You can’t rely on them. I’m saying you can’t trust them because they’re dishonest or disloyal. Even if they’re full of good intentions, they’re human …
Roscoe, the Guide to Change
July 15, 2019 dogs
In October 2014, a miniature schnauzer with a huge heart showed up on our doorstep. We had no idea what an immense help he has proven to be ever …
How an Old House on the Bayou Broke My Heart
July 8, 2019 living
I suppose it was inevitable the old house on the bayou would get torn down, but that didn’t make it easier to watch the demolition. Not too long ago, …
Life Before the Interwebs, Flightiness and the Club Lovin’
June 25, 2019 travel
There’s a difference between insouciance and flightiness: planning. And before cell phones, a lack of contingency planning and good judgment could lead to some doozies. Take the time during …
Whodunnit: The Foxhound or the Owl?
May 28, 2019 outdoors
There’s an old notion that when hearing hoofbeats, people tend to look for horses, not zebras. We recently found bird feathers along with odd remnants under an oak tree …
Solving the World’s Problems One Conversation at a Time – Or Not
May 21, 2019 politics
My Granddaddy and his across-the-street neighbor used to stay up late listening to the radio and “solving the world’s problems,” my Dad used to say. The first time I …
Warning Signs? What Happens When They’re Ignored?
May 13, 2019 news
A man with a machete confronts hikers on the Appalachian Trail but no charges for menacing people are pressed. Subsequently, he murders a man and leaves a woman for …
Identity Politics: Is an Inverse in the Offing?
April 24, 2019 politics
You’ve probably heard the pejorative term identity politics used to demean people who typically are in some minority demographic and are calling for changes, such as protecting civil rights …
Apology Tour: Saying Sorry Can Help Heal
April 8, 2019 living
When I was a kid, my mother corrected me for issuing a conditional apology, pointing out that if your apology includes a “but” or excuse, you’re not sincerely apologizing. …
The Fallacy of Both Sides in American Politics and Policymaking
March 27, 2019 politics
All too often in our political discourse we hear about both sides. For years, our news style has furthered this construct, exemplified by the blue and red maps showing …