After I retired from what I call “my real job”, I became the director of a program sponsored by the local branch of Michigan Works! The original version of the program placed a teacher in an area business for four weeks during the summer. The teacher learned the workings of the business while completing a …
Jiggle the Handle
Sutton, Elizabeth, and Jonesy (their dog) have been with us for a couple of days. They are here through the week, move out for a week, back for a week, and return later in the summer. Such is the life of a travelin man and his support team. Their first Michigan show at the …
Three EKGs and a Stress Test
Over the past 71 years I’ve undergone several medical procedures. None (knock on wood) have ever discovered anything serious. I’ve never been a big risk taker so I think that has helped me maintain my health. I’m overweight but have never smoked. I’d identify myself as being in good health (knock again). …
Story Telling
I had lunch with my grandson, Brady, on Saturday and while we were talking I told him the story of three instances involving my getting an electrocardiogram. He laughed at the end and told me that he “loved it” when I told stories. “You’re a good story-teller.” Later, it struck me that there …
Lindsay With An “a”
The first time that I met Lindsay she served Ruth and me at the Beach Bar in Clark Lake, MI during the late spring of 2001. The moment that I saw her I thought of my son, David. She had a “look” that I knew he would like. You know the look. …
Gentlemen (Ladies too) Mark Your Calendars!
The summer that you’ve all been waiting for is finally upon us. If you haven’t marked your calendars, and gathered several $5.00 bills, let’s do to it today. There’s no more time for procrastination. The Sutton James Papanikolas inaugural “live tour” is approaching Michigan for an extended border to border stay. …
My Three Wise Men
In 1995 I gave a journal to each of my parents as a Christmas gift and asked them to record stories from their past. I have my father’s journal. My request of him reads as follows: Dad – you, Uncle Harry Mac and Uncle Harry Barner have shared dozens of tales from your youth. I …
Perspective
Last October 17th I had an appointment with a new doctor to speak with him about my back issues. The office was the home base for a group of orthopedic doctors who specialized in all sorts of body parts: knees, shoulders, legs, arms, backs, hips, etc. I sat next to a guy in the …
Two New Cars
Gene’s family was a Chevy family. Mine preferred Ford. The big news of the car industry during the 50’s was “what new styles” would grace our roadways. Gene thought Chevy was best while I rooted for Ford. These preferences were developed in large part because that is what each family owned. …
Kitchen Poker
A few years ago there was a public campaign that asked the “average Joe” to submit an idea for a new reality TV show. The hope was that someone from somewhere would have an idea unique enough to be produced on television. I am an “average Joe” who is someone from somewhere so I submitted …