Columns

Taking Flight

The wait was not over. As we lifted the lid to the top of our propane tank, we encountered the little nest built there by a returning mother bird. Inside the nest were four, maybe five, tufts of feathered siblings resting snugly together. The mother bird was off fetching nourishment for her brood. So we replaced the lid and vowed to check back soon. After all, we will need to have the tank refilled sooner than later to meet our household needs. A week or two later, we checked again and yes, the nest was empty. However, we left the nest in place for a few more days only to come back ...

Dads Are Important Every Day

I can still hear the rumble of the trains that would occupy the ping pong table every holiday season. You could smell the artificial smoke from the old trains our dad placed on that table in the basement. And of course, he smiled broadly when he pulled the switch to activate a whistle as the trains passed through the homemade paper tunnels he painstakingly created and painted to look like the real thing. Our dad had few distractions from his busy life as a newspaper editor, but he truly enjoyed those model trains. He grew up in Center Wheeling at a time when trains were a regular part ...

The New ‘Twilight Zone’

Maybe you are like me and haven’t quite grasped the concept of Artificial Intelligence, also known as AI. I’ve been hearing a lot about the concept but never gave it much thought until the other day when some scientists warned AI could pose a serious threat to our existence. How could something that is manmade turn into a thinking, judgmental thing that could wipe humans off the face of the earth? Then at about 4:30 in the morning, I heard the toilet in the bathroom of our home kick on and off for a few seconds. My husband says it’s a plumbing issue that can be remedied ...

Enjoying the Little Things

There are many things in life, simple things, that can bring great pleasure to our lives. Personally I take great joy in the little things. I will do a dance around the kitchen when I finally find my missing car keys that were hidden under a pile of junk mail. When I successfully remember to bring my grocery list and coupons to the supermarket, I smile to myself as I wheel the shopping cart around the store. Recently I taught a sister-in-law how to play a game of gin rummy only to have her continuously beat my score. Even so, there was satisfaction in seeing her beaming with pride ...

Food For Thought

We recently found ourselves motoring south in this great state of West Virginia. By mid-afternoon we arrived in Elkins and were looking for a place to enjoy a late lunch or early dinner, whatever a decent menu would provide. After a brief search online, we found a few spots but settled on a little place called Scotties Restaurant on Seventh Street. We knew we probably made the right choice judging by the number of cars in the parking lot. Stepping inside, we were greeted by a friendly staff and a wallboard noting the day’s specials. This menu was not for the faint of heart. ...

Necessary Expense

Each time I pass a certain place, I can’t help but wonder what happened. There’s an abandoned homestead along Dallas Pike Road in Ohio County that could serve as a backdrop for a modern horror movie. On this piece of property is a passel of junk. However, it’s the old house there that keeps trying my curiosity. It is a multiple-storied structure with numerous windows. It’s those windows that make me think of a scary movie. There are ragged, torn and discolored curtains hanging out of those windows. They wave a spooky greeting when the wind blows. I believe there are signs of ...