Columns
May I Walk with You: OPPOSITE OR Compliment
What is the opposite of femininity? What is the opposite of management? What is the opposite of clergy? What is the opposite of wife? What is the opposite of white? What is the opposite of democrat? How many of us…
Blue Star
By Scott SullivanEditorStarlight by ProxyHow many photons have there been in the history of the universe? 4,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000, say astrophysicists. More or less.Since we don’t know when — or even if — time started, nor where/if the universe ends, this could…
Life as Performance Art
According to physicians, therapists, pollsters and others, we are sadder than in the past. We smile less and feel gloomier, leaving many without much hope or enthusiasm for the future.In fact, about one in four, or some two billion people,…
Mike’s Musings: Is insurance claim worth chopping your feet off?
In the midst of all the drama many of us experience I thought I’d write about an unusual story, actually better words would be strange and bizarre, that comes from the Ozarks in Missouri.Here’s the setup:A man wanted to cash…
Out and About: Clever comments, quotes, and roadkill
A very Happy New Year to all! I’m finally scheduled for my open-heart surgery on Wednesday, Jan. 8, at 7:30 a.m. This means that for the rest of this month, my columns will include more items from my files of…
May I Walk with You? ACTION ITEMS
Those of us who are Christian have an obligation to share the Christian way of living with others. Easier said than done, or is it? Let me make some suggestions. The first is to faithfully live the Christian faith yourself.…
Pat’s Bits and Pieces: The colors of January
The new year is here and already the middle of January is only a few days away – next Wednesday actually.We’ve had some bone chilling cold, a little snow and wind to greet it, along with the local TV weatherman’s…
Blue Star
By Scott SullivanEditorMovingIt was time to downsize. Add keepsakes from my 69 years, my parents, their parents, my wife and daughter … It is daunting deciding what stays, what goes.Each photo and handwritten note was a talisman. I dwelt on…
Mike’s Musings: Congress should not ban TikTok
There has been a new push in Congress to out right ban or heavily regulate TikTok. I’m neither a user nor am I fan of social media in general. However, to ban or heavily regulate the most popular social media…
Life as Performance Art
What was once known as suicide has been renamed by some “Assisted dying.” Both terms make me uncomfortable.Western culture has long abhorred suicide. The ancient Romans considered it a serious offense against the person, their family and the empire. If…
Looking Out: Snowdays
by Jim Whitehouse My 4 grandchildren live in southern Florida. The first time my oldest, Ruby, visited us in Michigan in the winter, soon after she had learned to talk, she climbed out of the car in the driveway, felt…
“Out and About” Clever comments, children’s phrases, and romance
This column is special. It is my last column of the year and hopefully, the last column filled with funny but true comments. If everything works out the way I want it to, I should be able to get Out…
Mike’s Musings: Dose of DOGE needed to curb government spending
Maybe DOGE has a good thing going. DOGE, the acronym for Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency headed by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, has been charged with eliminating waste and inefficiency at the federal government level.I have been a…
Pat’s Bits and Pieces: All about January
After Mother Nature briefly flirted with Spring temperatures last weekend, with temperatures in the 50s for a couple of days and in the 40s at the start of the week, the snow is now all gone and the thermometer is…
Blue Star
By Scott SullivanEditorMaking WayFor Christmas my head exploded. An abscess between my left eye and brain threatened both and hurt like hell till they gave me morphine. Then I could even endure Ohio State winning in football as much as…
Mike’s Musings: Dose of DOGE needed to curb government spending
Maybe DOGE has a good thing going. DOGE, the acronym for Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency headed by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, has been charged with eliminating waste and inefficiency at the federal government level.I have been a…
Life as Performance Art
‘Twas a week before Christmas and all the preparations were done. Well, almost.The Nativity creche Pat received as a child is in place on the fireplace mantle. It is always the first decoration to go up and the last to…
Looking Out: Wrapping up
by Jim Whitehouse “Everyone is good at something,” says Lyle Pratt as we finish lunch at the cafe. “Except me—I’m good at everything.” “Right,” I say. “Except for all the stuff you mess up.” “Mm-hmm,” says Lyle. “Name one.” “Wallpapering,”…
“Out and About” Children’s truths, aid programs, and what teachers make
This is week three of miscellaneous stuff from my files of “stuff”. There should be only one more week of this drivel. Hopefully, I will be back on my feet by the first of the year. I thank you for…
Pat’s Bits and Pieces: Resolutions for 2025
It’s time for my annual list of resolutions for the coming year.I am really good at making lists and resolutions.I make lists for just about everything. It used to be because I like doing it. These days it’s because I…