Often just looking out a window is the most rewarding, comforting and entertaining experience of a day. Like one beautiful, recent day, I looked out to see a young, just-out-of-spots deer standing rigid staring at something. Several yards in front of the deer was a black and white cat, sitting, staring back at the deer. […]
I’ve enjoyed a few routines of comedian Jeff Foxworthy, but it takes only a few of his closings, ‘You might be a Redneck if,? to turn me off. Knowing this, some inebriated, low-life friends sent me a Redneck, tear-off calendar with a remark on each page. It wasn’t until September 6 that I found one […]
After the ice was gone this year and the weather warmed to the point where we expected to hear frogs croaking, we didn’t. The evening serenade of amphibians in our swamps was not heard. Even the noise produced by the green, tree-climbing frogs was missing. As I walked the edge of the swamp nothing jumped […]
We who have children who married and have children, have in-law experiences. We who have in-laws spend an inordinate amount of time catering to their wishes, seeking ways to please them, praying that they see the goodness in us and recognize that we support and love them. We do everything we can to make them […]
Indian mascots are out — animals must be next So the National Collegiate Athletic Association, yielding to pressure of another minority group of save-the-worlders, has clamped down on colleges using Indian tribe names. The NCAA says Central Michigan University’s Chippewas, U of Illinois Fighting Illini and Florida State’s Seminoles mascots are offensive to Native Americans. […]
There is only one season of the year more joyous than this. The time of year when sweet corn and tomatoes can go from stalk and vine to tongue, teeth and gullet should be celebrated with more vigor than all but one other multi-dayed season. Our fresh-picked garden vegetable time brings ultimate satisfaction to growers […]
Our dad was ‘greatest? in everything he did. He told us so, over and over. He was the greatest Canasta double-deck player, greatest pinochle player, greatest shuffleboard player, etc. He had no peers in pheasant hunting, plowing with a Huppmobile, butchering (he’d show stubs of two fingers to prove it), cutter of children’s hair and […]
I’ve always referred to Roger Oberg as my friend. The retired superintendent of Oxford Area Schools treated me well in that job and, I’ve thought, continues this treatment. By his chosen profession he’s a prolific reader, curious and a searcher for humor. And, when finished with a paper, he passes it on, knowing my propensity […]
The above is a headline from the Sunday Detroit daily newspaper. I’d say Free Press, but I wouldn’t want readers to think I read it. Quoted are designers and socks makers. I read no quotes from the man on the street, the man in the stadium or the man in the bar. The first quote […]
With a loan from his father, Tommy Toteff went into the hardware business in Pontiac. Driven by a goal of to not fail, he ultimately had four hardwares ? Pontiac, Auburn Hills, Waterford and Oxford. The Oxford store was always managed by son Tom, with his dad’s oversight. When the three stores became one, Tommy’s […]