Of all the blessings I’ve had this year, one of the greatest gifts was spending a couple of hours with my brother-in-law at an Amish horse auction. While the rest of the family headed to the apple orchards for fresh cider and warm donuts, Wayne and I headed to the county fairgrounds in my rural Wisconsin hometown. We slid onto the cold, metal bleachers on this unseasonably cool late September day. I shoved my hands deep into the pockets of my one-shade-away-from-gawdy green jacket, and Continue Reading
What’s in a name?
“Hey, Stella,” I said. No response. “Stella.” A little louder, same result. I tried it once more with all the angst of Stanley Kowalski from A Streetcar Named Desire. “Stella!” When Stella didn’t respond, I knew I was doomed. “Adele… Adelia… Amanda…” My cries continued to be ignored. All I wanted was to listen to some good Aretha music. Was that too much to ask? In frustration, I opened my iPad and at precisely the time I hit the search key on google, I remembered her name. Continue Reading
Trip Planning 101
If you’ve ever taken a trip beyond the end of your block, you know some degree of planning is required. The magnitude of planning is exponentially increased when four different languages, four different currencies, and multiple weeks are involved. When planning a trip like this, there are two primary strategies. Identify a tour that meets your interests and needs. Pay once, pack, show up. (Despite internet deals, I still maintain travel agents are the best resource for this.) Plan it Continue Reading
Colonoscopies – A right-of-passage
Imagine you’re a ninth grader taking a standardized test. One of the questions is a list, and you have to select which choice isn’t like the others. Driverless cars Face Transplants Drones that deliver packages Robotic hands that respond to voice commands Colonoscopy Prep Items 1-4 are the result of advances in technology, health and science. Number 5? Not so much. Not since the first colonoscopies were performed in 1969 has the process for cleaning out the colon for a good look-see Continue Reading