Red Skelton — a seriously funny man. — Standup comedy requires a unique set of talents. The comedian has to be part actor, part motivational speaker, part minister, and 100% funny. Facial expressions, voice inflection, and body language all determine if the audience buys into your routine or if they find you offensive and arrogant. There have been…

One of those places I will never forget — It was an out-of-the-way place in my hometown of Chicago. Across the tracks near the end of a dirt road at the back of a railroad yard stood a couple of ramshackle buildings. They were little more than shacks with faded grey wood siding and dirty windows. At first glance…

A Trail of an Adventure — Jamie’s eyes swept across the mountains that surrounded him. A blanket of wildflowers — bright yellow poppies and deep purple lupine — carpeted the hillsides. The blooms, courtesy of abundant spring rains, made this hike into the desert foothills the thing he enjoyed most about living in Arizona. The solitude…

Never apologize — “You can’t do that.” Ansel shouted. “You nearly took my head off.” Greer flashed a wry smile across his face. “There is nothing illegal about it. Back up if you can’t take it.” Ansel did not like being a target every time that Greer had a chance to make a…

And other time wasters. — It appears that anything. Any minor thought, any simple equation, any meandering notion can be passed off as news. As many here know, I am a regular tennis player and an avid fan. I enjoy tennis at all levels from rank amateur to world-class professional. Yet, I was surprised today…

My mind takes me where I want to go. — I make money writing a travel blog. People love to read my stories about travel adventures. There is only one thing. I have never been to any of the places I write about. You see, I am a homebody. I don’t drive, I am afraid to fly and have never…

You travel along with your luggage. — Tony fidgeted, like a man approaching the gallows. His demeanor bordered on panic. Anxiety attacks were not uncommon in passengers in the minutes before stepping into their flight chamber. “Damn, flying isn’t what it used to be.” He commented. “I remember the good old days when all you had to…

Is there still time for a late-life crisis? — I am having a crisis. I look in the mirror and an old guy is staring back at me. Something is wrong. I went on Amazon to see if I could get one of those portraits like they had in The Picture of Dorian Gray, but they were backordered. I…

Her truth marches on — People are often attracted to each other by their looks. It is a simple formula. They fall in love with their smiles, the way they dress, or the way they flirt with each other. Flirting leads to a touch of their hands, a hug, and perhaps a kiss. …