When life gets confusing, sometimes you look to the universe for answers or a sign. This is especially true if you’re facing a big life choice, making a major decision, or, like me, looking for a new job.I took our dogs out for a midnight bathroom break the other night, and I noticed a small,… Continue reading Insect Omen: Wooly Bear Caterpillar A Sign From Above?
“Can I have $40 regular? Cash.” This used to get the gas tank on our SUV nearly full. But the other day something miraculous happened. The pump clicked to a stop after $29.50. “That fills it,” the gas station attendant said, seemingly as astonished as I was. “Here’s your change, sir.” Wow. I couldn’t have… Continue reading Cheap Gas Is Great, But Where Are The Other Savings?
We live in the Age of Apology, where knee jerk reactions are the norm, and thin-skinned political correctness reigns. Politicians, pop stars, athletes, actors, comedians, talk show hosts, and church leaders are pressured into insincere public apologies if they “offend” some special interest group or another. But the Age of Apology has little to do… Continue reading The Mystery of Superstar Forgiveness in the Age of Apology
You’ve heard the old adage – “It pays to buy the best.” Well, it’s a lie. Maybe it used to be true but it’s not anymore. Here’s another ancient un-truth: “You get what you pay for.” That’s true sometimes, but not always. I’m a cut-rate guy. I know this about myself and I accept it.… Continue reading Modern Junk: Buy the Best, Keep Getting Less
The written word is dying. Like dodo birds and dinosaurs, handwriting is facing extinction. Approximately 46 states have adopted the new Common Core Standards, a set of educational guidelines that do not require cursive writing as part of the school curriculum. Many school districts around the country are already starting to phase out handwriting courses.… Continue reading Curtain closing on cursive writing
“I need you to bring this dirty laundry down to the basement,” my wife said. “Move the stuff that’s in the washer to the dryer, and bring up the clean clothes that are down on the folding table.” “Yeah, yeah,” I replied, grabbing the laundry basket and heading down. “And don’t forget to separate the… Continue reading Do you hear what I hear? Probably not
Is it worth going to college? The answer used to be an unequivocal “yes” — college grads got better jobs and better pay than non-graduates. But the job market is different today. The cost of getting an education has risen dramatically, while the job market has shrunk. Many young graduates find themselves with thousands —… Continue reading College Daze: Is Higher Education Worth The Cost?
Remember “The Secret Garden?” No, not that stodgy old children’s tale. The adult coloring book! I’m not talking about funnyman Colin Quinn’s latest literary effort, “The Coloring Book: A Comedian Solves Race Relations in America,” either. That’s a funny book, but not the kind of coloring book I’m talking about. I’m talking about a grab-your-crayons-and-find-a-sunny-place-to-work… Continue reading Zen and the Art of the Adult Coloring Book
I wanted to be a marine biologist as a kid. My fascination with sea life began at age 7, when my parents took me to see “Jaws” (1975). The film left a deep mark/scar on me, and I became fascinated with creatures of the deep. I checked armloads of shark books out of the local… Continue reading The Long-Awaited Undoing Of SeaWorld
Colleges and universities were once hotbeds of creative ideas and free expression. Students used to question abuse, question authority. Today, students request “safe zones” so they can protest “offensive” Halloween costumes, and insensitive emails. St. Louis University is one of several institutions of higher learning where designated safe spaces are a perceived necessity among minority… Continue reading College safe zones degrade higher learning
