Talking urinals aimed only at men – for now

Editor’s Note: Enjoy this Jim’s Jotting’s classic from 2007. But if it makes you want to pee, don’t blame us. The extent to which our governments will go to save our lives reached a goal never envisioned by the taxpaying public. While many people haven’t accepted being made to buckle up, and several fight forced-helmet […]

Of fifth-graders, height, perception and bacon

Editor’s Note: This Jottings is a reprint from March 14, 2007. Enjoy. Are you ready to admit you are not as smart as a fifth-grader? If you haven’t admitted it yet, perhaps you have missed the tv show, “Are you smarter than a fifth grader?” Thursday nights, primetime. I had it brought home to me […]

‘Whitey’ has been our pressman for 50 years

Editor’s Note: This column was originally published on April 5, 2006. “Whitey” has been our pressman for 50 years On a recent Saturday afternoon, I went into our normally-closed printing plant and saw “Whitey” Hauxwell working on one unit of our 5-unit press. A replacement part had come in and he chose this down time […]

We need loving teachers, common sense

‘Tis the season for teachers (commentaries to follow). Boards and administrators should hire teachers who love teaching. And, while I am at it, the best teachers don’t just push students to learn, they get them through transformation and awakening, They make us better people. * * * All talkers know listeners can’t wait until you […]

Some reminiscing, some observations

(This Jim’s Jottings was first published on May 31, 2006)I’m writing this on a beautiful, sunshiny day (May 22) so it’s difficult to concentrate on one subject. Of course, it can be difficult to think of just one subject on rainy days, too.I’ll bet not many of you Jottings readers know there is a National […]

Want a lift? Go to a kindergarten concert

(This Jim’s Jottings was first published on May 17, 2006)There they stand. Twenty seven 5 and 6-year-olds, squirming and waving (except for our Haley and Trevor who barely moved, including their lips) until the teacher puts a finger to her mouth. Then, total silence. Total stillness. I should have had that control over our kids […]

Fixin’ the Model A

Fixin’ the Model A

This Jottings first was published on Thursday, April 8, 1971.One night last week I tightened the last nut on an engine overhaul on my wife’s Model A. I was rejoicing that I had completed several hours of auto repair work in recent weeks without scrubbing the skin off a knuckle.Then I discovered one last loose […]

A potpourri of thoughts

In my more than 65 years of writing columns, etc., for our weekly newspapers, I don’t remember ever using the word “potpourri.” Now that I know what potpourri means, expect to see it in future Jottings. I’m going to use it as a mixture of thoughts and topics. I’ve been using every possible moment to […]

A potpourri of thoughts

  In my more than 65 years of writing columns, etc., for our weekly newspapers, I don’t remember ever using the word “potpourri.” Now that I know what potpourri means, expect to see it in future Jottings. I’m going to use it as a mixture of thoughts and topics. I’ve been using every possible moment […]

Gov’t bad on water, good at saying ‘no’

I haven’t been exposed to this computer or even daily papers since some doctors convinced my bladder needed a look-see and my eyes were not improving with ageWhen my seeing improved the first headlines were, “3 things Snyder is still doing wrong in Flint.”He made Fortune Magazine’s ranking as 19th in world’s most disappointing leaders […]