For many years I had an exaggerated opinion of my contributions to the world of work. As a young man, I worked long hours managing a Ramada Inn in Iowa City, Iowa. As needed, I checked people in and out, served as the cook and dishwasher, bartended, made up rooms, completed …
George Bernard Shaw said, “You don’t stop laughing when you grow old, you grow old when you stop laughing.” Brilliant people often get confused. I understand what Shaw is trying to say, but he makes it sound like old is what people don’t want to become. I’m convinced old is …
I put glue on Bob Thompson’s side of the ping-pong table during our last contest. The ball just stuck there, and I did a victory dance around his living room. It was two weeks before he died of congestive heart failure. Years earlier, I worked for Bob when he headed a …
So there’s this mouse in my house that thinks he’s smarter than I am. He (or she) has another thing coming. For one thing, I’m 73 years of age, experienced in the ways of the world. I have a master’s degree. Then there is this mouse in my house, mainly in the kitchen …
Mark Twain said, “Life would be infinitely happier if we could only be born at the age of eighty and gradually approach eighteen.” Following the wisdom of Twain, I have over six years before I’m born at eighty. If I gradually started back to eighteen at that time, I wonder …
We have an old, old cat, approaching 20 years of age. Sherry and I have had Alice Pea Tucker since she was just a little kitty. We love her so much and we share stories of her many exciting moments throughout her lifetime. There was a span of fifteen years where our property …
At a very young age, I started a statewide sports magazine in Colorado. I didn’t know what the hell I was doing. I wasn’t trying to get rich or famous, I just had this dream of publishing a quality publication combining stories of athletes at the high school, college and …
There’s a little hole in my backyard where Buddy Rivers, many years ago, attempted to bury a bone from the other German Shepherds in his pack. This little hole is between my front door and places I wish to go. If I’m headed to the garage or the tool shed or to lock the front …
Starting in fifth grade, I always had a job. My first job was picking up golf balls at a driving range before school and on weekends. Then I worked at a funeral home tidying up before and after services. That job was kind of creepy. My next professional position was at a …
As I age, at times even gracefully, it dawns on me how important it is to spend time with people who bring something to the table. I don’t mean something like cinnamon rolls or money, but something like knowledge, friendship and honest feedback. If you like literature, I’d …
