My first experience with a tiny dog: a memoir in the making — I have had dogs for over forty years, but never one the size of my shoe. I knew getting a new dog was inevitable, as my daughter and her kids are dog lovers. While they have been living with me for a few years, I’ve welcomed their dogs with open…

A smokey guide for hungry appetites — The smokey flavors of well-prepared BBQ are inescapable pleasures that should never be passed up. It’s a well-crafted delicacy that, if prepared correctly, the taste lingers on in your mouth for hours like French perfume at a gala. BBQ shouldn’t be taken lightly. Texans, in particular, take preparing and eating…

A senior's perspective on love and companionship — At least I tried. But I wasn’t sure what I was looking for. It had been a while since my wife had passed away. After being in a relationship for over forty years and watching her life end due to illness, I felt a void needed to be filled. The…

Can you put me back to sleep, please? — One day, I had a case of Superman syndrome and felt like I could break up a dogfight. I paid a price for that spurt of stupidity. One of my dogs bit my wrist. It was my fault. I was the one who stuck my arm into the middle of…

A lesson in manhood at age six, a memory never forgotten — In 1960, I was a six-year-old kid with a slingshot in one hand, a ragged baseball hat, and a wild-west fort in my backyard. I spent as much time outside as possible, from sunrise to sunset. My buddies and I would play ball in the vacant lot, ride bikes to…

My two favorite months — We talk of the winds of change. We anticipate the shift of seasons. We slide into September as if the month invites us with open arms. September entices us with beauty. It blows welcome cool winds from the north. It teases us with the lure of relaxation and the joy…

I’m devastated and sad, but I see my dermatologist at least every six months or more — It is a sad day for many as we mourn the early death of Jimmy Buffett, a well-known musician, author, and businessman. He passed away on September 1, 2023. The cause of death, initially not mentioned in the social media reports, is Skin Cancer. The report indicates he was diagnosed…

A memoir influenced by island escapism, the calypso sounds of the Coral Reefer Band, and a Margarita — It is sad to hear about the loss of the man who revolutionized relaxation. He touched the hearts of millions through songs, books, and various business ventures. A friend sent an email earlier telling me how upset she was that Jimmy Buffett had died. The news caught me off guard…

I keep one next to my bed and carry a spare in my car — When I was a Boy Scout in High School, I spent a lot of time hiking in the East Texas woods. The first thing we always did was scour the woods looking for walking sticks. The Scout Master insisted. We only needed a sturdy stick to bear most of our…