I am a rock star. Well, I do sometimes dream of impressing people by playing beautiful or exciting music. My instrument of choice in these brief flights from reality is the guitar. Most often it is a Gibson Les Paul—you know, the preferred instrument of rock...
When our son was born the doctor generously offered to let me cut the umbilical cord connecting him to my wife. While that seemed like a lovely idea, I have to say that it was surprisingly tough, and a little on the gross side. So...
Try as we might there are times that a marriage cannot be saved. More specifically there are times and circumstances where one or both partners become convinced that they cannot/will not work together to create the type of family that meets the needs of its members....
I am embarrassed to say that this week’s column almost didn’t make it. Brian, my good friend and partner in crime building electric guitars, invited me to work in his shop during the time I usually write the column, and I go so excited I...
“Good fences make good neighbors.” I was a teenager and had no idea what Dad was talking about, so he explained: There are plenty of opportunities for neighbors, even very good people, to get into conflict with one another. Well-built, well-maintained fences help to reduce many of...
This past weekend was a rather emotional one. Valentine’s Day was the 30th anniversary of our engagement to be married. The following day two beloved members of our household passed away. Over 18 years ago I returned from work to find a long-haired, black and white...
It has often been said that a wise man learns from his mistakes. It could be stated that a really wise man learns from the mistakes—and successes—of others. Cohabitation (couples living together without being married) is on the rise. According to one recent study about one-half...
Nary has a Christmas season gone by without watching “It’s a Wonderful Life”, the classic film in which Jimmy Stewart plays a normal, struggling guy who learns the value of his life by seeing what the world would be without him. I know of no...
I have to say that I was very surprised to see the strong response to my last column. Clearly I offended Steve Oakey with some of my statements on the topic of suicide. I like Steve, and agree that there is great value in public...
As I drove home from the office Saturday I picked up the Standard Journal (Nov 5) and was saddened to see the cover story about the young boy who took his own life, and his mother’s efforts to find some meaning in the loss and...