Things I've been thinking
Grandmother name-picking is harder than it looks
There’s a lot to be said for picking out names. Whether naming a child or a dog or a pet goldfish, names matter—you wouldn’t name a goldfish “Fluffy” would you? Right or wrong, names elicit feelings and judgments and conjecture long before we get to know someone. Which is why […]
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Hang up and drive
I recently read an article recapping Lexington mayoral candidates’ ideas for solving the out of control traffic issues we face here in Fayette County. And trust me, they are many and sordid. One wants to spend money on smart lights, the other wants to demand a fix from traffic engineers. […]
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Christmas decorations in October
I hate to admit it, but I’ve been known to pass judgement from time to time when observing social faux pas. Like when I spot someone wearing white after Labor Day, flying the American flag in the rain, leaving Christmas lights up year-round—you know, the sorts of things that would […]
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A bad case of carbonation
Do you remember reading the story that circulated about exploding biscuit cans? It went something like this: woman goes to grocery and buys a can of biscuits—let’s say Pillsbury Golden Flakes for our purposes. On her drive home, the can of biscuits explodes, sending bits of dough flying through the […]
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A green bean by any other name…
As a child of the south, I long ago learned the role of a good white half-runner in southern cuisine. From cook-outs and potlucks to Sunday dinners, this summer staple is as much a part of meals as the fried chicken and cornbread. Almost as important as white half-runners themselves […]
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Heroes of 9/11: Remembering Rick Rescorla
Note: I wrote this column on the 10th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, after sharing several conversations with Susan Rescorla, widow of Rick Rescorla. You may remember Rick from several documentaries that air each year as the anniversary of 9/11 approaches. He was also in the battle of Ia Drang—remember […]
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A call for the return of free air and filling stations
At the risk of dating myself, remember the days when real service stations, i.e. gas stations with attendants, existed? The attendants scurried out to greet customers as soon as their car tires tripped the bell. They checked the oil, cleaned the windshield and pumped the gas, while the customer sat […]
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He ain’t heavy, he’s my blanket
I have a new obsession: weighted blankets. And I know what you must be thinking. “What on earth are weighted blankets and why would anyone need one?” Hang onto your horses, and let me answer the second part of that question first. I don’t like being cold. And some nights […]
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Five pointers for doing business better
Some days, I wonder about people. I wonder if we’ve forgotten all method and manner of decorum—if we’ve lost all means to effectively communicate with one other. I wonder if we know how to conduct ourselves as business men and women, as friends, and even as human beings—or if we’ve […]
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