Category: Life Lessons

Gary, Jim, Dan and I decided to live together our junior year.  I didn’t know Dan very well but he was a high school friend of Gary’s and came with Gary’s reference.  Jim was another resident of the sixth floor of Eldridge Hall.  We were known better by our last names: Maher, Wilke, Walsh and …

“In the olden times”, as my granddaughter might call my college years, all of the dorms on Western’s campus were designated as being either male or female.  Girls had to be in the dorm by 11:00 p.m. through the week and 1:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.  The guys had no restrictions.  We came and …

Gary and Tim lived in the room next to Don and me in Eldridge Hall.   We shared a wall.  Don and my suitemates were Paul from Jackson and another guy from Gross Pointe. Gary, Tim, Don and I were freshmen.  Paul was a transfer from Jackson Community College, and the guy from Gross Pointe …

I was scheduled to attend the promotional land purchase program around 11:00 a.m. on Friday.  I listened to the pitch with no intention of purchasing a piece of property but “the deal” was too much for me to resist.  It was the “opportunity of a lifetime” and only cost $26.00 a month. The land speculators …

Like many of my Facebook followers,  Allyson wished Ruth and me “happy anniversary” this past Wednesday.  We only met a few times over her 40 plus years.  Our last communication was on-line a couple of years ago when her dad passed.  We have only one thing in common, her parents,  and especially her dad.  So …

Growing up in suburban Detroit, I occasionally heard my dad say that he was going to a beer garden.  He wasn’t a big drinker, but I assumed that he liked a beer now and then.  As I got older I learned that many beer gardens are outdoor areas where beer and local food are served.  …

Read the Manual The 1970’s featured two oil crises.  One was in 1973 and a second followed in 1979.  As a result,  gas prices escalated.  While the diesel auto engine was put into production in the 1930’s, its popularity increased in the late 70’s and early 80’s in part because of the oil crisis.   …

Today is Brady’s first day of high school.  He’s officially a ninth grader.  Eva made the move from elementary to  middle school last year so she knows the ropes.  If Ruth and I were still working we’d be getting ready for our first day as well.  Ruth would be dreading it, and I would be …

During my fifteen years in Addison there was one group that I was very confident would always have my back, the boys at the fire barn. The fire barn was located directly across the street from the elementary school. While its true that it was a gathering place for political discourse, I was always sure …

Culture I had a crew of 34 high school students finish their two week assignments with local businesses  last Friday.   Going in they talked about articulated credits and scholarship opportunities.  Coming out they talked about culture.  They didn’t use the word, but that’s what they meant. They talked about eight different business locations that …