I grew up in the 1950s, north of gritty Youngstown, Ohio, close enough to see the nighttime red sky from the open hearth steel making furnaces. Many of my classmates’ parents spoke broken English. The ‘50s were boom years. America was the sole industrial nation standing after World War ...

Next week we celebrate Thanksgiving. At this point I have no plans but it will all come together. How Thanksgiving has changed down through the years. We used to go to Grandma Swanson’s but when she no longer could do it, we went to my sister-in-law’s. I always worked right up through ...

Last week’s column was about a nice day. A really lucky day. Then life happened. Back in my middle years, I made a promise to myself. If I’m going to work throughout my life, then I’m going to make sure I play a little in my retirement. My original plans were for some tennis, ...

Votes have been cast. Votes have been counted. Seems the election was fairer this year. Less griping. Perhaps someone will figure out why. Abortion was on the ballot in 10 states. Currently abortion is banned after conception in 13 states, banned after six weeks in four more states, and ...

Hickory Heights has an abundance of wildlife. I enjoy every minute of it. This morning, I watched a black squirrel running around the yard. First, I saw him in the grass. Then he was halfway up a tree. I let my dog out, but the squirrel did pay any attention. I know there are at least two of ...

Last week, I had a day just filled with little surprises – nice ones. Prior to Thursday, if someone had told me that surprises were heading my way, I probably would have wondered which tire was ready to blow. Or which utility bill was going to double. But on that sunny day, the good little ...