I met Eric just like I met a couple hundred teenagers over the past several summers. He was interested in a summer program I ran as a part of the Michigan Works system. He heard about the program from one of his high school teachers, completed an application, and I went to the school to …
The Milkman
We had a milk chute at our home at 500 North Edgeworth. The entire neighborhood had one. Ours was an opening on the side of the house near the side door. The opening allowed us to place empty milk bottles inside the chute and the milkman to deliver fresh ones through the outside. A few …
My Thirteenth Summer
The C. V. Whitney Farm in Lexington, Kentucky was a very successful thoroughbred horse farm. I lived there for two weeks the summer of my thirteenth year. My friend, Bill, invited me to go with him and his family for two weeks in July. His maternal grandfather was the supervisor of the farm’s operations, and …
Yippee Ki Yay
Eva is our family equestrian. She takes dressage lessons and has become quite a “horse person”. I’ve had the opportunity to see her in action, and she does very well. Her trainer is working with her so that someday she may be able to show horses on her own. For those who may be unfamiliar, …
Old(er) Friends
During the pandemic, Ruth and I, like most, hunkered down and watched more TV than usual. We limited our viewing, as best we could, to a couple hours each evening. We like different things, so finding a happy medium was sometimes a challenge. I gave up most shoot-em-up, action flicks, and she didn’t insist I …
Rose One
I met my first Rose thirty years ago. She asked directions to the nearest store that would have a leaf blower. It was Saturday evening, so I directed her to the only place I knew would be open, Meijer in Jackson. Since that exchange, we’ve averaged one conversation per year, but that’s been plenty. For …
Two Roses
Rose is a perfectly good name, but I’ve found that it’s rare. I’ve known dozens of Lindas, Sues, Carols, Kathys and Dianes. In elementary school I met a Rosalie. We graduated from high school together. One of my college roommates, Gary, had a sister, Rosemary. I stood up with her in his wedding. In all …
New Set Of Wheels
Brady got his first set of wheels from his Uncle Mike when he was two years old. It was a blue pickup called Blue Thunder. His first passenger, and constant companion, was B, his trusted teddy bear. The two of them conquered the ins and outs of off road driving in their back yard on …
Seventy-Four Candles
For forty-eight days each year Ruth is a year older than me. It’s a special time of the year. It ended yesterday. We’re back to being the same age until April 11, 2022. During my dating years, the majority of my female friends were younger than me. When it came time to get serious, I …
Squeegees
The first time I recall using a squeegee, I was working in Royal Oak at the National Food Store on Stephenson Highway just off 11 Mile. I was hired as a stock boy in the fall of my junior year. One of the jobs the stock boys were assigned was cleaning the giant front windows …