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 …
I’m not much of a measurement guy. Yet, I understand how researchers must come up with silly stuff to garner the favor of those folks offering grants. My guess is, a team of seasoned researchers goes out to a local pub for a beer or two to get their creative juices flowing. …
In the world’s longest scientific study of happiness, conducted at Harvard University, participants are posed questions to determine their level of happiness at various times in their lives. In the book “The Good Life” by Harvard professors Waldinger and Schultz, …
Dear Grandson Carter, I was thinking of you today, now midway through college at the University of Wisconsin. Based on the wonderful young man I see today, I believe you are picking up the best from your great-great-grandfather Henry, your great-grandfather Vern, your …
