Never put off until tomorrow what can be done two days from now

For most of my life, I've been a procrastinator. As far back as second grade, I remember my mom yelling at me because the school bus was almost at 604 Cairns Street and I was still in my room in my jammies. It was a regular battle for her every school day--little Renee nearly missing … Continue reading Never put off until tomorrow what can be done two days from now →

Typewriters: Writing as a physical experience

Squibs Fifty years ago, the start of my sophomore year at Tecumseh High School, I walked into Typing I, which was taught by Mr. Frank Graham. The typing class was recommended by my high school guidance counselor, Mrs. Mary Fall, after I failed Miss Kathy Kelso's Algebra I class my freshman year. Mrs. Fall thought … Continue reading Typewriters: Writing as a physical experience →

Cheese: Currency and Legacy

Cheese. Is there anyone who doesn't love a melty grilled cheese sandwich, preferably with a bowl of creamy tomato soup? In the U.S. and Europe, cheese is a diet staple. There are hundreds of cheeses in dozens of countries and in many European locales, cheese is much more than a casual filler between two slices … Continue reading Cheese: Currency and Legacy →

Sister love

A couple of weeks ago, I interviewed Deb Weuthrich, former Herald staffer. In March, she published a book about her daughter, Michele, who died at the age of 11 from Spinal Muscular Atrophy. The book, "Dance While the Music Still Plays," is a moving and spiritual account of Michele's life and death and her impact … Continue reading Sister love →

Living in the present moment

As I write this column, I'm mourning the loss of a friend and grieving with those who loved him. He was a generous person who loved life and his family, especially his wife. Like others who have touched my life, however briefly, his death reminds me how often we go through life not really embracing … Continue reading Living in the present moment →

What’s in a name?

In his play, "Romeo and Juliet," Shakespeare wrote, “What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet.” Although the Bard opines here that naming things has no real importance, I have to say that in my experience, a name can be a blessing or a … Continue reading What’s in a name? →

Basketball dreams

First appearing in The Tecumseh Herald, Sept. 20, 2023 As my grandchildren have gotten older, graduated from high school and into the world of "adulting," I have found myself missing the thrill and pride of going to their sporting events and watching them spike a volleyball or sink a buzzer-beater. My girls attended Adrian so … Continue reading Basketball dreams →

Madness of March

March Madness. For as long as I can remember, this has been a "thing" every spring. I don't really follow basketball, but if I had to pick one sport (besides golf) that I will watch, it's college basketball and usually during March Madness. I'm not sure why, but there is something almost hypnotic about the … Continue reading Madness of March →

Christmas Greetings

First appeared in The Tecumseh Herald, Dec. 14,, 2023 Squibs: Christmas Cards We are now less than two weeks from Christmas and already I'm behind on most of the things I typically do this time of year. At the top of that list is sending Christmas cards. As I write this, I have mailed about … Continue reading Christmas Greetings →

Billy

First appeared in The Tecumseh Herald, Aug. 31, 2023 This is a story about Billy. Billy made a calendar for his mother when he was in first grade. It was a piece of thick cardstock upon which he had carefully stamped his handprints with red finger paint. His long, slender fingers were separated by gaps … Continue reading Billy →