I love New Years resolutions.  While some people moan and groan at the “new year, new me” social media posts and flocks of newbies at the gym, I love setting goals and the wishful thinking that I’ll actually accomplish them. I’m still working on replacing my Diet Pepsi addiction with water . . . maybe someday. 

As a born-and-raised Pittsburgher, I never take summer for granted. I hate the winter—like, daydream-about-moving-to-California kind of hate. I’ve made more than a few empty threats to pack up and head somewhere with year-round sunshine and bougainvillea. But deep down, I know I’d miss the rhythm of the seasons—and the way summer here feels like a reward we’ve truly earned.

Back when Saturday Night Live started, there was a skit called “The Thing that Wouldn’t Leave.”

Can you believe that it’s been five years since the start of the COVID pandemic?

My youngest granddaughter when she was a year old was diagnosed with severe food allergies to eggs, tree nuts, and peanuts.

I’ve been keeping a diary since I was 11, and for the last few decades, at the beginning of new year, I like to sum up the departing one.

One of the first pieces I ever wrote and sold was a story about how when I was a kid, I would stay overnight at my Grandma Gert’s house.

When we come to this time of the year, it always seems appropriate to take stock of what happened over the past 12 months.

We know about my father-in-law, but we don’t know him. That is until recently. 

I was diagnosed this summer with celiac disease. And once again, I had no idea what my body was up to.

There are great family farms in our area like ours that work long and hard seven days a week growing fruits and vegetables to support our co

Several weeks ago, I was at a local discount store, and when I went to the bank of self-checkout terminals, I scanned my membership card, an

When I was in high school, I was on both the yearbook and newspaper staff, and in addition to writing for them, I was also a photographer fo

A little over a year ago, I was in the Holy Land touring its historic and religious sites. After returning home, many were curious about the

It doesn’t matter who makes the best gravy, how you stuff your turkey, or if you’re stuck sitting on a telephone book at a card table. What

With fall frosts lurking each year, a farmer's joy is to go frost-free until the fall harvest is over. However, that never happens. If a fro

By the time I hit my freshman year of high school in 1974, American Graffiti had become so popular that it led to the debut of the hit show

Having no children deprives the world of innocence, humor, innovation, and hope as well. Throughout the pandemic lockdowns, it was being aro

As you know, in my spare time, I write novels. Recently, I was selling my books at a local show when I noticed several dads sporting T-shirt

I was blessed to have my Grandma Gert until I was nearly 40, and I was very close to her. She liked to tell me stories about her life growin