Month: September 2006

My daughter commented on waiting for her first child’s birth in a recent e-mail. Excerpts follow: I quit teaching so that I could be a stay-at-home mom. I hoped I would do more mothering and less waiting. I used to sit in the nursery for hours just reading while I waited, but I don’t do…

Is there a touch of irony in the headlines that followed Pope Benedict’s quoting an obscure medieval text that criticized some teachings of the Prophet Mohammed? He referred in part to the Prophet Mohammad and his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached and added that violence in the name of religion…

The phone rang in the editorial department. I answered it. “News-Times, this is Joan.” “Who is this?” “This is the El Dorado News-Times office.” “Well you have the wrong number. I see your number on my caller ID and you have the wrong number.” “Oh, well thank you for calling,” I put down the receiver…

My son hesitantly agreed to photograph his niece’s wedding. The previous two weddings he had shot had resulted in dark pictures or messed up film. “Third time’s charm,” the family said still wanting him to be the photographer. He came with his own digital and film cameras and used my digital and film cameras as…

The 25 year-old hot water heater began gurgling ominously, sounding it’s own death knell. Every plumber my daughter called recommended replacing the unit – and offered to do so personally for a magnificent fee. With an eye on the family checkbook, she called dear-old Dad. He works for food, expenses, parts – and one’s willingness…