How to use your noodles

The phrase “Use your noodle!” is another way of saying, “make use of your intelligence!”  My parents instilled in me the idea that there are many ways to get things accomplished.  Sometimes all it takes is a little brainpower. Both Dad and Mom were experts at solving...

The sauce of life

One of the things I try to do in life is to find blessings in situations that are considered to be negative.  Last week I wrote about my cousin Jimmy, who passed away on February 21st.  My son Jonathan, my grandson Elijah, and I traveled to Tennessee for the...

What’s not to like about cherries?

I had been planning this week’s column in my head for quite a while, but then, as often happens, life got in the way.  For just over a month now, I have been getting reports on my cousin Jimmy and his health issues.  Then, on Friday evening, I learned that Jimmy will...

I can do this!

Here we are in February, which happens to be National Canned Food Month.  Lots of different edible items are available in cans, and those of us who have gardens often save our produce by canning it in jars.  In this case, “can” refers to a container.  The word “can”...

Good neighbors are super!

One thing I learned early in life is that it is a blessing to have good neighbors.  My childhood was spent in a suburb of Knoxville, Tennessee.  Known as “Fountain City,” it was annexed by the larger municipality during my early elementary school years.  My family...