Archives in Category: Things to Ponder

Ten minutes to write. Less time to read.

Primary Disappointment

Posted on January 31, 2008

In the past couple days, Republican Rudy Giuliani and Democrat John Edwards have dropped from the race for president. Giuliani now endorses John McCain, while — as of this writing — Edwards has not declared his preference between Hillary Clinton

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Conservative vs. Liberal

Posted on January 6, 2008

A lengthy article in today’s local newspaper used the term “conservative Christian” several times. One interviewee, for example, said, “If conservative Christians get excited about a candidate and come out and vote . . . they’re a force to be

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Life, Updated

Posted on December 19, 2007

Three years ago (October 27, 2004) I wrote an essay titled “Life, According to Sweatshirts” which reviewed some of the sayings that can be found on sweatshirts and proposed the idea that we can learn something about life in general

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Home for the Holidays

Posted on December 17, 2007

Earl and I arrived home Saturday night, having experienced eighty-five degree weather at 8 AM that morning and a blizzard at 8 PM that night. But that wasn’t the only adjustment we made this past weekend.

We’ve gone from

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Essay on Essays

Posted on December 5, 2007

I recently read an essay by Cristina Nehring about how the American essay as a writing form has declined in recent years. She argues that essays used to be vibrant, showing the true opinion of the author. Frequently, they were

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Thanksgiving

Posted on November 22, 2007

Some of the things I’m thankful for this year are (in random train-of-thought order): Bush cannot be re-elected. My aunt and uncle are doing well and continue to invite us to share the holiday with them. My sons are in

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Leaving Town

Posted on November 20, 2007

I consider myself a pretty good traveler. I bring only carry-on luggage regardless of the length of the trip. I can find my way around in strange cities. And I’m not deterred if I don’t speak the native language when

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Open Season

Posted on November 15, 2007

Today is the official start of firearm deer hunting season in the State of Michigan. Having lived in big cities most of my life, I wasn’t aware of this propitious event until we moved to St. Joseph. However, we learned

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Splitting the Tick

Posted on November 11, 2007

A couple blogs ago I quoted English poet John Keats who said, “A thing of beauty is a joy forever.” Let me add, it can also be a profound irritant.

Case in point: For Earl’s seventieth birthday I commissioned a

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Bill O’Reilly

Posted on November 6, 2007

I think Bill O’Reilly is one of the most arrogant men on television today, and this saddens me. I saw him in person a year or two ago at a local Economics Club function and was impressed with his humility

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