Columns

I jammed my hands as far as I could into the pockets of my jacket, hoping the rough, gray wool would provide more warmth to my cold fingers. Beth, my daughter whose graduation we were celebrating, was focused on the sign at the side of Samford Park that welcomed visitors…

The doors opened and I entered the emergency room. I quickly scanned the room and noted that it was about half-full. Inwardly, I groaned, expecting a bit of a wait. Beckoning to me, the newcomer, was a hospital official at a small desk toward the back of the waiting area,…

I have always enjoyed bird-watching. It’s easy to do when there are bird feeders just outside the back door — cardinals and blue jays fight, mourning doves strut about the lawn looking for seeds kicked off the feeders, while mockingbirds wait their turn. To see majestic raptors soaring above lakes…

“You’re invited to a garden party!” the card announced. Yippee! Nice parties are few and far between here in Papua, a province of Indonesia — at least the ones like the garden parties and teas I enjoyed back in Alabama. There were several reasons why this invitation was special. Heather,…

“The main thing is that you must …” I stopped my advice-giving and tried to continue speaking slowly. I gasped for air and was surprised that I could finally draw a deep breath to fill my lungs. So I resumed delivering my gardening instructions. Actually, no, I did not. As…

“Have you given blood yet? We could go over after band practice.” It was 1972, my freshman year of college, and the annual “Beat ‘Bama” blood drive was being held in the student activities building. Having grown up in Auburn, Alabama, where Auburn University is located, I…

Calvin, of the Calvin and Hobbes comic strip, once resolved not to make any New Year’s resolutions. He was going to wing it and see what happens. Hobbes, the tiger, then inquires whether Calvin was intending to stay on his present course. Calvin’s answer was in the affirmative,…

The bonfire crackles. Tendrils of smoke waft their way into the sky, mingling with the first fingers of dawn snaking along the horizon. The faithful druids shrink back into their cowls, trying to stay warm as they await the dawn. They watch the Great Bear in the sky become more…

The warm salt water lifted me up, but I let the wave pass beneath me. It just wasn’t the right one. The next wave seemed to hold more promise. I felt the energy swell underneath me. As the wave built and began pushing me inward, I looked around to see…

“Mike, please come and hold the pan for me while I pour the batter in.” I wiped the sweat away from my forehead as I stood next to the large pot of boiling water. I know there are machines that make knöpfli, a dumpling-like food that reveals…