Thursday, December 31, 2009
2010 — The Best Year of Our Lives...So Far
Friday, December 25, 2009
And So This Is Christmas
Monday, December 21, 2009
Culturefest Luncheon
Saturday, December 19, 2009
This Christmas
Friday, December 11, 2009
O Christmas Tree...and Christmases Past

Friday, December 4, 2009
I've Seen Fire and I've Seen Ice
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
'Tis the Season
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Over the River and Over the Hill
Monday, November 23, 2009
Thanks!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
For the Birds
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
I Would Sing
Thursday, November 5, 2009
The Reason God Made Caller ID
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
A Whole 'Nother Country
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Change of Season
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Mama's Grade-School Friend
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Columbus and Us
But even if it’s not true, so what? Who can ever prove it, and why waste time trying? He explored; he found new lands; he got the credit; we’re here. It’s a little too late to squabble over who discovered America. And obviously, we weren’t the first…the American Indians were here. We were just the most determined to stay, and rule, by any means necessary.
I teach a volunteer American Citizenship class at the public library. It’s fun…and eye-opening. I started class in March, and out of 6 students, 3 have passed; 2 are scheduled for their interviews; 1 will apply this month, when she has been here the required 5 years. We had a young Hispanic man join us briefly, a senior in high school, who wants to become a police officer or join the military.
This boy speaks perfect English, knows American history, is personable and smart, and has been here since he was 9 years old. His parents brought him here from Mexico. He has grown up in America and has assimilated into the culture — except he can’t become a U.S. citizen. He’s an illegal immigrant.
Obviously, when we realized this, he didn’t stay in class. His only hope for citizenship — and for pursuing any kind of legal, good-paying job in what he considers his home country — is for a blanket amnesty for people like him. He sure as hell ain’t going back to Mexico. If employers won’t hire him because he’s an illegal alien, through no fault of his own, what will he do when he graduates? What kind of “drain” will he be on the economy then? Ah, the sins of the fathers…. His? Yours? Mine?
Saturday, October 17, 2009
My Blank Pages
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Why Being Specific Matters
Monday, October 12, 2009
Crackpots and Cooking Pots
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Moving Into the 60s
Friday, October 9, 2009
Holy Shitsky, I Turned Sixty!
