I refuse to hold my horses. I want my answers NOW!

I’ve been exchanging Jottings weekly for many years with Dick Milliman, and he sends me his columns, ‘The Almanack.? He’s owned several papers, from Grayling to the Indiana border, while being very active in Lansing. Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl was a recent topic of Dick’s. He wrote, ‘The public has not yet been told the ins […]

Life’s joys come from a well-maintained lawn

It’s amazing to me how the makers of lawn keeping tools, fertilizers and seeds constantly aim their messages toward people who detest yard work. Like: “Use our products and have more time to enjoy life!” The picture that follows is of man sitting on his duff in a lounge chair in his yard. First off, […]

Offerings from Helen, Mickey, Joe K., then me

In Helen’s offerings this week, are items from church bulletins, like . . . ? The fasting and prayer conference includes meals. ? Scouts are saving aluminium cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children. ? Ladies, don’t forget the rummage sale. It’s a chance to get rid […]

Give me green paint, and I give you the Jolly Green Giant!

Tis the season for re-runs, and I’d like you to follow a hair pulling Jottings runner from 1966. * * * Several weeks ago, Hazel and I were in a group that attended the Orion Council of Knights of Columbus dance. Midst the fun and merriment of this conventional dance it was agreed that we […]

What has President Obama done for America?

On what track is Obama’s plans for America? Or perhaps he has none. He’s certainly ignored, or lied again, of his promise of transparency in Washington, DC. Seems his lying, such as ‘You can keep your doctor,? is his policy on all matters. I’ve lived a long time, and witnessed extreme declines in faith in […]

I got some Ramblin? JJ’s for you

Here’s a question my middle child wants answered: ‘Why do deer and ground hogs in my yard eat my plantings (flowers, small bushes), but don’t eat the new growths each year in the perennial growing areas?? I don’t get texts nor emails, so try the mail with your answers (PO Box 108, Oxford, MI 48371). […]

A lot of be glad about until I got addicted to TV news

I’m glad I got to live those first 87 years of my life. When I break them down to periods, there are some that really stand out. Like those early one-room school times of total innocence; then a 10-year span of war and illness, that got me to some really great married years. Growing the […]

Covering all the bases

The rapid increase in ‘cold? calls has increased the ‘heat? in my blood cells. These calls must have turned off listeners to the point of having lost their effectiveness (if they even any to begin with). The final straw for me came Sunday evening at 7 p.m. when a surveyor asked, “Is James there?” No […]

Screw work, play golf ? but read this first

Let’s get started this week with some light stuff. ? The only ones who remember you when you come in 2nd is your wife and your dog. ? The one-armed man only shopped at secondhand stores. OK: let’s go. In 1923, who was: 1. President of the largest steel company? 2. President of the largest […]

More time for national focus in retirement

I’ve been a publisher of four Oakland County community weekly newspapers for a few decades. As such, I’ve devoted years of my life to happenings in these communities. However, I, and our readers, like to stay somewhat informed of happenings throughout Michigan, the United States and the world. To divert my thinking from what’s going […]