A few weeks ago, I asked readers to share what drives them nuts due to aging. My friends and I gave a number of our own, and boy did I get a great bunch from you guys. My two favorites from the original list: Toilets made for very short or acrobatic people. Purchasing a …
We Americans are talking less and less — almost 30% less over the last decade. The drop for youngsters is even more dramatic. My grandson told me speaking is going the way of the horse and buggy, and he informed me using very few words. This circumstance makes me almost …
All the famous publishing houses are clamoring for our book, “199 Things That Drive Aging People Nuts.” My guess is they will be offering us huge sums of advance payments. I can envision long lines of purchasers extending around the block at Barnes and Noble bookstores. …
I invested four long days (sometimes enjoyable, sometimes not) reading the advice of popular experts on what goes into living a good life. A few authors stood out in my mind: Arthur Brooks (determine a clear purpose), Brené Brown (embrace vulnerability), Oliver Burkeman (let …
Billy’s parents bought a new icebox. It was delivered in a huge, brown cardboard box to their front yard. It was 1954 in Ames, Iowa, and Billy lived next door. We were excited about Billy’s parents’ purchase — not the icebox, but this new, humongous toy: the brown …
Full disclosure: A wee bit of poetic license has been incorporated into this post, but the bird’s-eye conclusion is rock solid. It was nice getting the old Hiram Scott Research Department back together to solve a major environmental concern. INTRODUCTION Professors …
As many of you are aware, Mark Twain visits me late at night and offers tips on creative writing. I try my best, but I’m a poor student when it comes to matching my mentor’s talent. You may not know that Mark has also been my financial adviser throughout much of my life. …
Without paying a dime, I saw a bare-knuckle fight last week. It was a classic road rage event. Both cars were backing out of their parking spaces at the same time. Their bumpers met. One man, about 40 years old, jumped out of his car and approached the other driver, who …
The older I get, the more my head is packed with wonderful memories of my childhood. From age 4 until 6 (1950 to 1952), I lived on Highway 30 in Ames, Iowa. My whole world drove past me on that 3,000-mile road. I owned about 40 yards of it. My greatest memory was of caravans …
Who is this guy? At age 26, I’m managing a Ramada Inn in Coralville, Iowa. My boss, Rueben Drieling, calls and says he’s sending out Dewey Birdsall to put in new carpeting. “Take good care of Dewey.” So the next day, Dewey Birdsall shows up ready to start work on …
