On a late Sunday afternoon, people weaved in and out at the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport, lugging suitcases with the usual faraway expressions. Many were traveling to see family and friends for the busy Memorial Day holiday. At the International Arriva… Continue reading
New technology devices and apps pop up as abundantly as summer weeds here in Silicon Valley. Chip-enhanced products offer to satisfy almost every need imaginable. Prompts from your smart refrigerator tell you to buy more milk. With a voice command, mus… Continue reading
I’m not a fan of being a long distance grandfather. My granddaughter, who’s a year and a half, lives 2,000 miles away, so we can’t just pop in and say hi. Twice a year, Jolene and her parents come east. And my wife and I go west a couple of times a yea… Continue reading
Imagine being in the crowd at a bullfight; the feeling of being terrified for the matador in the ring, worried about what you might see and turning away in fear because you don’t want to experience what’s going to happen next. But if you’re the matador… Continue reading
When it comes to housekeeping, my wife Sue and I play distinct roles. I do the cleaning, laundry, shopping, and cooking. Sue thanks me. Considering Sue has a full-time job, I have no problem with this arrangement. In all immodesty, I can claim to be a … Continue reading
(Editor’s note: Covering LGBTQ issues is an ongoing Next Avenue priority, and this June, during Pride Month, we are publishing a special LGBTQ-focused series. The first article in it: How to Be an LGBTQ Ally.) Drag in all its sequined, feathered and b… Continue reading
When my mother started her now-famous clothing swap about 11 years ago, we weren’t thinking, “Let’s bring the generations together.” We were thinking, “Let’s figure out how to indulge our constant itch for fresh styles without spending any money, and h… Continue reading
Part of the VITALITY ARTS SPECIAL REPORT Picture this: You’re a working actor. You master tricky pratfalls and stunts, memorize reams of lines, sing, dance — and do all of this in front of a live audience eight times a week. Sounds exhilarating, yes? M… Continue reading
Anne Whitley lives 800 miles from her grandchildren’s home in Florida, but she still sees them daily. On her iPhone’s FaceTime app, Whitley catches up with her five-year old granddaughter, Cairo, who might show off a new toy, and her year-old grandson,… Continue reading
Shivering under a blanket, knowing the only bathroom nearby was a Porta Potty, armed with extra tissues and plenty of hand sanitizer, I cheered when my daughter’s team made a goal and groaned when they didn’t. I prayed to the soccer gods that my child … Continue reading