Category Archives: Uncategorized

The guy sitting next to me on the flight to Des Moines was youngish, mid-20s probably. I couldn’t tell if he was friendly or not. I wasn’t feeling especially so. I decided to read for the two hours it would … Continue reading →

Lifelong Tigers fan though I am, I was pleased to see a review of “Faith On First: Thoughts on God, Nature and Sacrifice Bunts” in The Visitor, a publication of the Catholic Diocese of St. Cloud. It is written by … Continue reading →

One of the little joys Andrea and I have been sharing lately is Jimmy Fallon’s weekly thank-you notes. They are such harmless sources of momentary diversion. His “slow-walking family walking in front of me on the sidewalk” is one my … Continue reading →

In a class I was teaching at Grand Valley State University a couple of years ago, I presented a segment on rock stars who had died at age 27. I focused on Kurt Cobain, figuring my room full of 18- … Continue reading →

My magnolia was in full glory on Mother’s Day. The cold spring had kept her flowers only half-open for a week, but Sunday’s onset of summer warmth let her burst forth fully. Glory hallelujah. I camped under her canopy and … Continue reading →

At Schuler’s on 28th … author promises remarks will be mercifully brief      

As I walked out on Easter morning Daffodils cheered the sunrise Standing strong and straight and green Reaching for the good new day. Canada geese welcomed me With their sharp exuberant honks Flying from the river by the park Over … Continue reading →

The wonderful Russ Burpee, who used to greet worshippers in our church foyer with a warm hand and beaming smile, told me more than once: “You ought to collect your columns into a book, Charley. People would read it.” I … Continue reading →

That’s how long it took for the universe to get started, or even less. So say really smart astrophysicists after having detected “gravitational waves” left over from the Big Bang 13.8 billion years ago. Some say it might be one … Continue reading →

This morning I awoke with a general restlessness and insecurity. I was graced with a cup of strong coffee and the warm comfort of a real person, my dear Andrea. How nice to be able to start counting your blessings … Continue reading →