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Relaxing family vacations weren’t so relaxing for dad

It was 1970 and I’d just come home with my new paperback, “King of the Grizzlies,” a 50-cent treasure from my Scholastic Book Club order. “Stash it in the camper for the trip,” Mom ordered. I couldn’t wait for vacation to begin so that I could dig into the mess of books Mom ...

If it were good for me, there would be caramel, chocolate

I am dying of food poisoning. Not the regular strain of food poisoning — I am afflicted by the variety known as “but it’s good for you.” The cause is spousal research, meaning it’s sprung on me when my wife comes across yet another article about foods that cure ailments she ...

Sleeping like a baby — fussy, fidgety

Terry downed her night meds, fussed with the blankets and swapped out pillows. I rolled onto my other side, an effort that involved more oofing, groaning and wriggling than used to happen during an entire backyard football game. Soon, we’d be sleeping like babies — which is to say, ...

I’m in need of motivation to find my lost motivation

My office walls are bare. I’m searching for a life philosophy that I can hang as a motivational poster — minus the motivation. I don’t want to be nagged into actually accomplishing something. After studying the wisdom of the great philosophers, I’ve narrowed it down to these: “Trying is the first step toward failure.” — Homer Simpson, “The Simpsons” “I’m sick of following my dreams, man. I’m just going to ask where they’re going and hook up with ’em later.” — Mitch Hedberg “Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain — and most do.” — ...

Young’uns don’t have a clue about music: Eagles rock

At first, it was a joy to watch those “First Time Hearing” videos in which hosts listen to decades-old pop music. It warmed my heart to see young adults blown away by how good the music from my generation sounds. But the more I binge-watched the YouTube videos, the more depression rolled ...

Snipes, cow tipping and cousin Ollie combine for crazy danger

We’d only been up the tree for 20 minutes that spring day decades ago, but with the bull snorting beneath us, it already felt like 20 hours. “When do you think he’ll get bored and go away?” I asked cousin Ollie, who lounged on the next limb over. Ollie studied the monstrous creature ...