Let me get cynical on sports & politics

Let’s begin with Merriam Webster’s definition of cynic: (I’d rather refer to Funk & Wagnall’s encyclopedia, but they became mostly referred to by comedians like Johnny Carson, as, ‘Look it up in your Funk & Wagnalls.?) Cynic: one who believes that human conduct is motivated wholly by self interest. That’s me, baby Because I never […]

Rodents is too nice a word for mice

Before I started writing this column about mice, I looked ‘mice? up in the dictionary. It said ‘see mouse.? I almost said, ‘Eek!? Years past I’d have come up with something else, but I’m trying to give up swearing before I die. Mouse: 1. Any of numerous small rodents with pointed snout, rather small ears, […]

Brandon Township

zoning board of appeals NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Regular Meeting The Charter Township of Brandon Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a Public Hearing October 26, 2011, 2011 at 7:30 P.M. at Brandon Township Offices, 395 Mill Street, Ortonville, Michigan 48462 to hear the following appeals. 1) Appeal # 012-11 Sidwell # 03-29-151-006 Name: Darius […]

Love those Samaritans; 6 eggs and ego burst

Thank goodness for good Samaritans. Ma’dog Shayna’s electronic tether allows her to go about 90 feet from our house. She has been so controlled over two years. The ‘collar? shocks her, or me, when I forget to take it off in the car. And, I take it off at night. So, sometimes, when I know […]

Handwriting dying? Don’t tell our Daddies

Headlines are supposed to attract our attention.This one in The Detroit News, September 23 sure got mine: ‘Individuality is lost as art of handwriting dies.? The reporter is Marney Rich Keenan. She writes of her 92-year-old father comparing the speed of today’s communications with the way it was in his youth. Keenan writes, ‘Nobody handwrites […]

A couple spur of the moment trips

A Jottings reprints from October 15, 1986 For the most part I live a planned life. I mow the lawn on a certain day, get up and come to work at specific times, write this column at a designated time, etc. My pocket calendar is always handy, and particular dates and appointments noted far in […]

Really random thoughts from the Jottings jotter

As you review your resolutions this month (you know, lose weight, work out more, etc.) maybe this thought will help: Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways — Chardonnay in one hand, chocolate in […]

Justice Thomas? freedom, unheard in campaign

Justice Clarence Thomas spoke at Hillsdale College recently. What he said about freedom isn’t being said on anyone’s campaign trail. He was raised by his grandfather and grandmother starting at age nine. He said, ‘They made me what I am today. I always take offense when I hear it said that Yale or some other […]

Mandatory curriculum in schools is a bad idea in my book

Following is a column written by Richard Milliman that I tend to favor. – – – 0 – – – Certain school orders ordained on high don’t make much sense in the real world. Mandatory curriculum, in my book, is a bad idea. Requiring every student in Michigan to take the same set of courses, […]

Times, thoughts – they are a’changing

One of the first things I’ve noticed during this aging thing, are the commercials I’m paying attention to on the tube. I’m no longer interested in removing the gray from my hair, nor wrinkle removers. Cialis and Viagra ads aren’t even consciously observed. Clothes styles, my lowering belt line, receding hair line, stretch socks, Rolex […]

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