Science Project

I’m helping my son with his science project. It is a classic: building a model of an atom. I don’t recall exactly which element we’re modeling, but we have a bunch of Styrofoam balls, poster board, and moxy. What we need is a plan. My son is not big on projects. It is not the … Read more

Dog Urine as a Repellant

Yesterday, while working in the yard, I had an incident that demonstrates my own fault and folly with immaturity, and my relationship with my wife. She had done some pruning in one of her gardens, and loaded the refuse into a laundry basket. The laundry basket, overflowing with dead vegetation, was left at the side … Read more

The Copper Kettle–Dad’s Van

My father bought one brand new vehicle during my childhood. It was a 1976 Ford Econoline van burnt orange, and void of any accessories or options. It was bare metal inside, and came with the absolute minimum of two seats. His dream was to customize that van for a trip we took as a family … Read more

Fun With Razors

I have never been a big fan of shaving, but I do like the feeling of smooth skin that results from it, so I take care to do it properly. But the act of shaving also exposes some of my fits and follies, and a secret affectation. My mother told stories of how her father … Read more

Banana Redux

I went shopping the other night at Kroger’s. Ostensibly, it was just for a few things: Bananas, Bagels, and Milk. The banana display stand was almost empty. Just a few scattered bunches, many spotted brown, and with three or four bananas in each bunch. They were picked over. I once was at a training class … Read more