First, bless the clicker, then the opera

This Jottings ran on June 10, 2009.I make a lot of smart-aleck remarks to strangers. And, thankfully, I usually get a smile.I saw a woman in a grocery store with an overflowing basket of goods. I asked, “Have you got room for anything else?”She smiled, “Hopefully, only one more thing.”At a plant sale I saw […]

First a story, then a letter to a senator

This Jim’s Jottings first appeared on June 20, 2007.I have two reasons to believe this story is acceptable for a community newspaper. First, it was told to me in the Flint Elks Club men’s room, and second, my daughter said it was ok.An Irishman has been doctoring for some time, and this was the day […]

Illegal: Not according to, or authorized, by law

These Jottings were first printed on May 30, 2007, not that much has changed since then…The word “illegal” isn’t too hard to understand, is it?I am only a small voice in community newspapering, but I believe I represent the majority of legal Americans.I don’t believe the majority of major daily newspapers and airway time fillers […]

Illegal: Not according to, or authorized, by law

These Jottings were first printed on May 30, 2007, not that much has changed since then…The word “illegal” isn’t too hard to understand, is it?I am only a small voice in community newspapering, but I believe I represent the majority of legal Americans.I don’t believe the majority of major daily newspapers and airway time fillers […]

Poetry, like beauty, can be found anywhere

By Don Rush There is moocho-grand-ay (thank you god of phonetic spelling) angst, and turmoil in the world these days. Heck, you only have to read, listen or watch any media outlet to find the all the pain and suffering you need to sustain your desire to be sad. But, really, hasn’t there always been […]

Poetry, like beauty, can be found (if you look)

By Don Rush There is moocho-grand-ay (thank you god of phonetic spelling) angst, and turmoil in the world these days. Heck, you only have to read, listen or watch any media outlet to find the all the pain and suffering you need to sustain your desire to be sad. But, really, hasn’t there always been […]

Want a lift? Go to a kindergarten concert

(This Jim’s Jottings was first published on May 17, 2006)There they stand. Twenty seven 5 and 6-year-olds, squirming and waving (except for our Haley and Trevor who barely moved, including their lips) until the teacher puts a finger to her mouth. Then, total silence. Total stillness. I should have had that control over our kids […]

Fixin’ the Model A

Fixin’ the Model A

This Jottings first was published on Thursday, April 8, 1971.One night last week I tightened the last nut on an engine overhaul on my wife’s Model A. I was rejoicing that I had completed several hours of auto repair work in recent weeks without scrubbing the skin off a knuckle.Then I discovered one last loose […]

A bust on Naked Gardening Day

Aside from the aesthetics of a pasty white dude glowing in the sunlight, gardening requires the use of a lot of sharp tools like shovels, saws, shears, clippers, nippers, cloppers and other things that just thinking about shivers me timbers.

From under what rock did I emerge?

Columnist’s Note: this week I get to be a truck drivin’, pallet jackin’, paper movin’ man — and I hate it. But, there you go. Here’s a column from 2010. Enjoy. *  *  * My dad always said, “Son, you should learn something new everyday.” I felt that was sound advice until I had about […]