Point Made

Full Disclosure: I'm not a believer in the concept of taking guns away from responsible people who own them, regardless of their motivation. If someone really believes they need a gun for security, I think they should be able to have a gun. Just like I believe that folks who want to take a puff of Marijuana should be able to do it. But like marriage licenses, construction permits, drivers tests and sanitary regulations for restaurants, I think that sensible regulation of guns is also necessary. I heard a comment on one TV interview that might help put this in perspective. The comment was made about regulating automatic weapons. The statement was, "You can own a stock car if you can afford one, but you can't drive it on the highway just because you have a drivers license'. The point here is that people that actually drive stock cars have been vetted by their peers as competent. People that produce a drivers license can buy an AR-15. They have not de...

It's that time of the year when the days are growing longer. The horrible possibilities of January are in the rearview mirror. But it's too early to see birds returning. While I try to live in the present, longing for better weather is difficult to avoid. Better weather? It's kind of based on the ability to comfortably partake in outdoor activities. I know a lot of people ride their bikes year round. Poppa Jeff votes no. I can only imagine hitting that patch of black ice and ending up with a cast on two of my four limbs. I don't want to think what Molly, my bike, would look like either. Golf? As long as there is frost in the ground Golf should be avoided. First I'm concerned about the damage that could be done to the golf course. Golf is all about hitting the ball further than your divot. (Piece of sod cut from the surface when the ball is properly struck.) Usually, the divot is replaced in the hole that was created, and it grows back rather quickly. Wh...

With millions of people waiting for their $1.50 net increase in their paychecks, I'm grinning a little smugly, because I already got mine. There it was. My first increase in my Social Security check in three years. Now, to be clear I didn't get my pile of filthy lucre because of some clandestine late-night deal in Congress, No Latino's had their immigration status held hostage while my increase was debated. No, mine was a matter of an increase in the Cost of Living Adjustment. Now, I sensed that the stuff I buy has been going up a fairly noticeable rate for the past three years, but no. I was wrong. I was wrong because I did not know how it's calculated. Until...I Googled it. COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) https://www.thebalance.com/what-is-the-cost-of-living-adjustment-3305736 "The government includes COLA for recipients of  Social Security  benefits. COLA helps retirees, who are on a fixed income, maintain a viable  standard o...

You're powerless of the control your addiction holds over you. One sip, puff, bite or kiss, and you will fall under its spell. I saw them laying on a shelf in a Kwiktrip convenience store. This kind of retail establishment used to be called General Stores, back in the day before the dawn of the automobile age. They kept up with the changes by locating themselves on roads that were designed for cars and dressed for necessity by putting gasoline pumps in front. Gradually, America demanded more. On the edge of town, truckers wanted cheap food and women companions. Cities and towns hosted stations in every neighborhood so we could gas up on the way to work or the grocery store and have a place to hang 'girlie' calendars. In those days they also had a service center garage. Alas, the old model has reappeared. Once again we have General stores with gas pumps out in front. It's where many of us take advantage of the convenience of these bright...

Weather you will or whether you won't? If you live in Northeastern Wisconsin, mark this date on your calendar (1/27/18). When I logged the morning temperature, it was above freezing (32 Degree F.) Morning temperature? I usually log some time between 6:00 - 7:00 am. It was the first day in 2018 that this has happened. Lucy, our dog, marked the event by peeing on the pavement. Note, she usually prefers the trash between the garage and the neighbor's fence. I was able to monitor her while I was wearing an open zip-up fleece jacket (no lining). It was too early in the morning for sunglasses, but the conditions look good, and I will prepare for that later in the day. Ah, paradise! The sound of an old man bitching about what things cost these days My wife turned down the possibility of seeing James Taylor and Bonnie Rait perform in Green Bay. Seeing that the tickets started at $175 and went to over $400, she had a decision to make. Maria decided tha...

Specifically, where in hell have I been? I could answer that I was spending an extended weekend in Milwaukee, but Milwaukee is not in hell. Actually, I have fond memories of our years in Milwaukee. I miss the city and the friends that we made there. My Boss, by the way, is my conscience. I'm a creature of habits, both good and bad. I have been skipping my alone time in front of the computer. This means I been ignoring my writing both my blog and my current manuscript. You might remember I took a week off over the holidays. Last weekend, I didn't post either. A slippery slope I intend to avoid. Write On. I'm thinking of learning to speak French. I've been influenced by the commercials I've seen for the product Babbel. Why? Because I want to challenge my aging brain. I love the romance and beauty of the French language. I'm reading a new author, Peter May. He is a Scotsmen living in France. He seeds his stories with a lot of references and phrases in Fre...

In my new role, as theater columnist for Appleton Monthly Magazine, I am somewhat hampered by the fact that I'm writing for a monthly publication. Reviewing the road companies that tour through the Fox Cities or event the regional and collegiate productions is counterproductive because by the time we publish these events are over and done.My task is not to critique but inform. So this week, rather than rant about the current political scene or do a poor imitation of Andy Rooney bitching about the small irritations in an otherwise great life. I'm going to share my latest contribution to the magazine. How Do They Do That? By Jeffrey Jordan One of the first things I learned about the theater program at Lawrence University is that the program is designed for teaching. While it might be appreciated, there is no intention to seek to sell out crowds or critical acclaim. Aaron Sherkow assured me that the major focus is to expose the students to all of the elements of theat...