The latest studies from fancy universities are attempting to steal many of my favorite moments. I’m told I can’t eat chocolate milkshakes or Cinnabuns. A hot cup of coffee in the afternoon? No way. Can I bask in the sun? Not on my life. Now, research at Columbia University …
My mom, Irene, was a great cook. However, she had one conspicuous culinary flaw that weighed heavily on many parts of Story County, Iowa. She loved to make holiday popcorn balls. They were red and green and huge (think of the size of a croquet ball, then double it). There …
I think we all remember little kindnesses that drop on us like the first warm raindrops of a summer shower. I’m collecting 100 such kindnesses to put in a little book to share with friends and family. If you get in the mood, I’d appreciate if you send me one or a few of …
You might think I had a wild and crazy time. You would be wrong. It was more like putting on a warm sweater and snuggling into memories of long ago. A few observations: Only old people showed up. Imagine that. I didn’t recognize many faces at first, but after the first words …
The longer I live, the more I think of our lives as pieces of art. As an artist, I view myself as wrapping up the last few chapters of my book. Or I’m adding additional hues of green to my watercolor painting. Then my mind goes to what others may think of my art piece. …
I think of my brain as a bucket. Throughout my life, I stored new knowledge in it to become a wiser man. At 75, I recognized my bucket was beginning to leak at the bottom. Things I had learned over the years were beginning to drip out. This began to worry me. I came …
You may remember Augie, my clumsy angel, who always shows up to bug me about my questionable behaviors. A part of me is happy Augie may have found another human to mess with, but another part is worried he just gave up on me. For example, I know I talk too much, sometimes …
I’m here to offer you wisdom. For those of you who have spouses or partners to appease, listen to my spider story. First off, I don’t like spiders, particularly those who hang out in our bedroom. Last week, I saw a big black one descend on an invisible thread and land three …
I thought I was doing okay with my financial affairs, shooting for a stress-free retirement. Then I did something stupid. I was going over my shelves of old, dusty books whose pages were yellow and stained. It was time to gift or throw away most and keep only a few of my …
Retirement didn’t work out for me. Lordy, I tried. I bought good books to read. I talked friends into going to lunch with me and lingering. I purchased a movie package for late night viewing. I bought a new frying pan. I washed my car. Three times. Nothing took the place of …
