Summer Is Not Over, People. Calm Down

Let me repeat that: It’s only July 16. And yet, if you listen closely—on patios, in lineups, even from your friend grumbling,  you’d think we’re already packing away the sunscreen and hauling out the flannel. Apparently, summer is “half over.” Or worse, basically done. Why? Because the MLB All-Star Game just happened. Because the CanadianContinue reading “Summer Is Not Over, People. Calm Down”

Discovering Small-Town Living: Community, Nature, and Security

It has been 10 months since I moved from a bustling city/region of 650,000 people (about half the population of Hawaii) to a village of 1,000 people at most. It is located a half hour north of a city of 85,000 so all the major amenities are nearby. I wasn’t sure I’d manage all rightContinue reading “Discovering Small-Town Living: Community, Nature, and Security”

Whatever happened to table manners and etiquette when eating in a restaurant?

I was dining with a friend at a local restaurant the other day and while no one is perfect, I noticed an appalling lack of table manners and consideration for others by two guests sitting maybe 20 feet away. And it’s not the first time I have noticed this. I’m a stickler for manners andContinue reading “Whatever happened to table manners and etiquette when eating in a restaurant?”