It’s that time of the year, the time when I need to renew my registration for my old reliable Jeep. It’s something everyone with a vehicle must do, and in Wisconsin, we must do it every year. When I was living in Arizona, we had the option to do it every two years, which I…
Parton one Dolly we’re not ready to give up
Dolly Parton has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Most singers come and go, especially in a world where we’re oversaturated with music, but when it comes to a woman who came from a poor family and turned her life into one of giving, that’s something that endures….
Romance can be found in the grips of mortal terror
We love our love stories. We love reading about someone lonely who finds someone in a tale that usually includes the words “unbridled passion” and “setting fire to my loins.” I’ve written plenty of those tales. However, that’s old hat. Some authors are writing love stories in the midst of dire situations where very few…
Sometimes stepping from the shadows is the only way to be a hero
We all love heartwarming tales. Whether it’s a hero saving the day or someone doing something that’s kind, we want somebody to root for, to give us motivation to keep listening, watching or reading. Of course, we also know that behind every great person, there’s usually someone else working in the shadows, providing support and…
Would you want to be traded for another job?
Trading athletes tends to be big news, especially in states that have professional sports teams. Here in Wisconsin, the world of basketball was rocked when Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokoumpo, who had spent most of his career here, was traded to the Miami Heat recently. It had seemed like Antetokoumpo would be here forever—or at…
Trying to silence a voice only makes it louder
When my sweetheart, Todd, and I were searching for a church years ago, we had some spectacular misses when going to several Shawano churches. It took a couple of years before we found Christ Congregation United Church of Christ in neighboring Clintonville. We passed by the church, and one of the things Todd first noticed…
Success only happens when the message is inclusive
The key to anything successful is the message. If you have a message that includes everyone—or at least as many people as possible—then there’s a good chance that your endeavor will be a success. If the message excludes, whether intentionally or through carelessness, anyone or makes them feel like they’re not a part of the…
There is no ‘Sunny’ side to animal cruelty
As a Christian, I’m supposed to have forgiveness in my heart when people do wrong. As an animal lover, I have a hard time forgiving someone who inflicts pain and suffering on a helpless creature. That realization hit me recently when something came across my desk at work about a dog that was found with…
America gets its kicks, but how far will soccer fandom go?
It’s mid-summer, and the ball parks are full of screaming fans eager to enjoy a baseball game. It’s just like any other summer. Is it though? I ask because America seems to be in the grip of another ball frenzy, trading in bats for nets—really big nets, the kind that make basketball players envious. The…
Cartoonists have their own superstar
In every art form, there are elite titles. In acting, there’s the EGOTs—short for actors who have won Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards. On a side note, there are some interesting notes for awards. Maybe we should have the Mildred awards, or perhaps Hortense? In book writing, we have the New York Times bestsellers….
Books hold the key to unlock the imagination
Books have been on the forefront of my mind over the last week. From selling the books I’ve written to buying books that have caught my eye, the literary side of my brain has kicked into high gear. It got me thinking of the books that I’ve read previously. I read more in my youth…
Division seems to be favored math when dealing with society
I remember when I was growing up in Chino Valley having to learn math. First came the addition and subtraction, which was fairly easy. Then they taught us to multiply, which was a little more difficult. After that came division, another challenging step at first. I could go on and on about going into algebra…
Rural Roots and American Rainbows 