It’s a misconception that men are not romantic. This can be addressed by asking: Is Cupid, the early Roman god of love, a male or female? Well, Cupid is the son of the goddess Venus. And upid …

Through our lives, by choice or by accident, our mentors have opened doors never on our to-do list. This was the case when a close friend asked if my wife, Karen, and I would like to join him …

Were you born under the Year of the Snake, as Taylor Swift, Oprah Winfrey, Harrison Ford, Anne Frank, J.K. Rowling were? The Chinese Lunar New Year, aka Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival, is …

“The liberty of the press is essential to the security of freedom.” With that, John Adams might have been thinking about William Caxton. Did you know Jan. 16 marked Printing Ink Day? …

Around 7:30 a.m., as I was waiting on I-5 about a quarter mile south of Lynnwood, I was envious as I watched those many light rail riders flashe by. After that experience, I spoke with a close …

Have you made your New Year’s resolution? For those avid object collectors, I can only guess one of your important resolutions is to at least twice a month visit an estate sale, garage …

Christmas has come and gone. How about also thinking about how to celebrate New Year’s Eve? While you and your loved ones are planning, take time to discuss what others throughout our …

It was New Year’s Eve in 1972, a temperate 54 degrees, on a clear, full-start Time Square’s night. Thanks to my brother Arnie and our 3-year-old son and 1-year-old daughter’s …

Christmas is close. How about also thinking about how to celebrate New Year’s Eve? While you and your loved ones are planning, take time to discuss what others throughout our planet will …

In September 1897, an 8-year-old girl named Virginia O’Hanlon wanted to know if her friends were truthful in denying the existence of Santa Claus. Pen in hand, she fired off a letter to the New …

Santa's full-time and axillary workers have increased substantially over the years. Most Santaologists know that too many of Santa’s holiday supporters have no clue about Santa’s Six …

I have way too often found many views on how and why events came into existence. This was the case as I tracked down the history behind Black Friday.   Some stores open their doors two …

As I was thinking about my own Thanksgiving story, an old family tradition came to mind: Which one of the three brothers was going to break the wishbone? The quarreling didn't stop after the two …

I was in my fourth day of basic training at Fort Ord in California when the drill instructor (DI) and sergeant stood 2 inches from my face: “Private, where are your dog tags?” Hands …

As I pondered the philosopher Socrates’ “know thyself,” I pondered what other famous authors added to that annoying thinker’s creed. One being a writer must be honest with …

On Nov. 3 it was once again to turn back our clocks. But why do we  subtract or add an hour to our monthly schedules?   Before 1966 some states played with time and others left it …

A mentor of mine died on Aug. 21 of this year and I miss his positive attitude, his warmheartedness, and his many words of wisdom. Last year as he and I were discussing Halloween Joop (Joe) told …

A mentor of mine died on Aug. 21 of this year and I miss his positive attitude, his warmheartedness, and his many words of wisdom. Last year as he and I were discussing Halloween Joop (Joe) told …

Welcome to this October’s yearly International Association of Dyslexia Awareness Month. There are many professional definitions that describe dyslexia, so depending on how it is defined, social …

Who of us do not know Pittsburgh Pirates’ Hall of Fame Robert Clemente or the civil rights leader Cesar Chavez? Those are only two of the long lists of  Hispanics who have added to our …