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. …
Two Tales
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. …
New Tricks from An Old(er) Dog
I received tons of advice when I first became an elementary school principal. One of my favorite observations was from an older cousin who knew nothing about what I had done or was about to do. He offered up, “If you work hard, someday you’ll become a high school principal.” Becoming a high school principal …
More Firsts
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 …
Fire Fallout
My discussion with my mom about my artwork was short lived. I had been ill and home from school a couple of years prior. While I was home she tossed a couple dozen “your body is changing” books on my bed and told me to read them. “If you have any questions, just ask.” I …
And Then
The day after the fire Mom and Dad had to find us a place to live. Grandpa Barner had an open flat above his Detroit home on Troester, so we moved in there. It was a simple apartment. It had a couple of small bedrooms, a kitchen, living room and a bath. We …
Clara Barton
Clarissa Harlowe Barton (December 25, 1821 – April 12, 1912) was a pioneering American nurse who founded the American Red Cross. She was a hospital nurse in the American Civil War, a teacher, and patent clerk. Nursing education was not very formalized at that time and she did not attend nursing school, so she provided …
The Boys at the Fire Barn
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 …
Casey
Casey became my aunt the moment that Ruth and I said “I do”. I’d met her several months before at the Van Bruggen family gathering during the Christmas season of 1970. She was the youngest sister of Ruth’s father’s family and the only one without a husband and children. I liked her the moment we …
Firsts
Ruth and I took Brady and Eva out for breakfast last Saturday. We picked them up at Papa and Grandma’s house. (That’s Lindsay’s parents.) We planned to eat at a local mom and pop restaurant that we haven’t been to in over thirty years. Lindsay’s parents live on Folks Road. We headed west on …