The Fly Who Came to Stay by Blanche Day Manos, who takes full responsibility for this goofy piece In my neck of the woods, everything gets ornery in the summertime. Critters, humans, even bugs are easy riled. There’s nothing like the heat of a white-orange sun blazing down from a copper-colored sky to make […]

First Day of Summer, a Cup of Coffee, and You
My northern family is becoming immersed in Arkansas culture. We’ve been to three museums, to historic places, to fun places, and we have been On-the-Go. Yesterday was no exception. I am amazed at the ingenuity, courage, talent, and optimism of our ancestors and all the people who have gone before us. They have given […]
And That’s the Way It Is
Good morning. Coffee is perked and Nemo and I are about to go sit on the deck while it’s cool. Today will be another warm one. My Minnesota people are enduring the heat and thankful for air conditioning. How did we do this when I was a child and we had no air conditioning except […]

Guests, Flowers, Trees, Beautiful Morning
It’s so nice to have guests this morning. My brother and niece from Minnesota are visiting and that makes for a good morning. I’m trying to keep the house quiet as they are still snoozing after being on the road so long. Nemo just saw some walkers go up the hill. I cautioned him to […]

But Why Is the Sky Blue?
Just Wonderin’… …what would happen, if, when faced with a dilemma, I suddenly started laughing? …when someone says or does something rude, what would happen if I smiled and said, “God bless you”? …why the telemarketer hung up when I started singing “May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You?” …why I get […]

More Than a Coal of Fire
“What did you come for, a coal of fire?” my dad used to ask if I breezed in and out of my parents’ home for just a short visit. What he meant was, he wished I’d sit down and talk for a bit. Once, long ago, people would borrow coals of fire to get their […]

