I have been working on this, Kitchen Table Talk No. 140, since last Wednesday. I have written paragraphs reminiscing about summers in my hometown, about early June days with my …
Lessons from Dolly Parton
One of my birthday presents last week was a book from my daughter-in-law Kinsey titled “What Would Dolly Do?” Before reading it, I assumed it was a collection of Dolly …
Sharing a birthday with a legend
I hope George Strait, Tina Fey and Reggie Jackson enjoyed their birthdays on Monday.
I certainly loved mine.
George, Tina and Reggie share my birthday – May 18 – along with the …
More than a walk across a stage
Virtual college graduations – how do today’s graduates feel about them?
I think it’s easy to assume that this change for the 2020 graduates might be harder on us “old folks” …
Princess Sassafras: The newest Howell
There will be so many mixed memories and feelings we each will have about this unique time of life during the introduction to COVID-19. Even within family units, there are …
Parenting the parents
I love to study social behavior. Well, not in a strictly academic way, but definitely with an anecdotal group.
My latest social behavior study involves my two sons and their attempts …
COVID-19-induced ‘closure’ anxiety
I have invented a new anxiety: COVID-19 Closure Anxiety. Over the past few days as discussions take flight regarding a return to whatever will be our new normal, I keep …
Keeping the balloons in the air
As the days and weeks of social distancing drag on, we are all becoming keenly aware that there’s nothing “social” about it. Even the most positive among us are having …