My marathon running, otherwise semi-normal son-in-law, Tim, tried to prove something the day before Easter. We all awoke to a few inches of snow. Tim announced he was going to run out and get the newspaper, barefoot. After only four steps out in the snow, he returned. This prompted 12-year-old granddaughter Savannah to conclude, ‘I […]
Before I started writing this column about mice, I looked ‘mice? up in the dictionary. It said ‘see mouse.? I almost said, ‘Eek!? Years past I’d have come up with something else, but I’m trying to give up swearing before I die. Mouse: 1. Any of numerous small rodents with pointed snout, rather small ears, […]
zoning board of appeals NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Regular Meeting The Charter Township of Brandon Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a Public Hearing October 26, 2011, 2011 at 7:30 P.M. at Brandon Township Offices, 395 Mill Street, Ortonville, Michigan 48462 to hear the following appeals. 1) Appeal # 012-11 Sidwell # 03-29-151-006 Name: Darius […]
‘Tis the season of promises. ‘Tis also the time when those making their promises know memory of the public is short. The office seekers to the highest office in our land fill the airways and print media with cliches, phrases and hope-to-be-forgotten messages. And, it seems that when reminded of statements made in campaigns when […]
Andy Rooney signed off on the ?60 Minutes? program recently for the last time. I was a fan of the curmudgeon for a long time. Had I known the shortcomings he announced on his final appearance, I would have quit listening to him long ago. However, obviously, he had a major following. He quit at […]
Let’s begin with Merriam Webster’s definition of cynic: (I’d rather refer to Funk & Wagnall’s encyclopedia, but they became mostly referred to by comedians like Johnny Carson, as, ‘Look it up in your Funk & Wagnalls.?) Cynic: one who believes that human conduct is motivated wholly by self interest. That’s me, baby Because I never […]
Thirty years ago I headlined a column, ‘I like ties.? And continued, ‘I must own 130 ties. I fall in love with them.? This week I recounted my collection. I now have 292 neckties. It is an array that puts sunsets second, and excites my mind with remembrances. Neckties make great first impressions. They elevate […]
Of course it’s been a week since I made that promise, and the memory of the public is three days, so I may revert . . . To start: ? Beauty and handsomeness are only a light switch away. ? Ever feel like you are diagonally parked in a parallel universe? – – – 0 […]
If papers had clickers you’d click this column First, a little history about income taxes. (Don’t click yet. It’ll get better.) The first income taxes in the U.S. were imposed in 1861 and 1862 to pay for the Civil War. Rates were raised in 1872. Then, the courts got involved with direct taxes and apportionment. […]
This Day became Veterans Day by act of Congress in 1954. Our nation’s first official recognition day for veterans was Armistice Day. Woodrow Wilson was president at the time. (‘Oh, beautiful, for spacious skies. . .?) I recall my Army veteran father referring to World War I as being ‘the war to end all wars.? […]