The term God’s Country has been used many times to describe many places. It’s also the title of a great song by Irish band U2. The first time I heard it connected to the South Side of Pittsburgh was from... Read More

What’s a Life Coach? A person who knows how to separate others from their money. The money has value, what the Life Coach sells doesn’t. At the risk of putting Life Coaches out of business, here is a list of... Read More

Now it’s a health club feeding America’s fitness mania Once upon a time there was a unique bookstore in my neighborhood. The store had two levels, comfortable seating in the reading nooks, an escalator that offered great views of the... Read More

I think about this story throughout the year; not just at the end of the year.  It’s the tale of a memorable Christmas present I once received. I am a member of the Pittsburgh Major Taylor Cycling Club.  Marshall “Major”... Read More

December 12, 2023 December 12th should already be a holiday.  It’s Frank Sinatra’s birthday.  But the day will now become an actual holiday—one that Hallmark will not make cards for.   This year—and every year thereafter—December 12th will be known as... Read More

What’s wrong with this picture? The data for this chart comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm) and NCHS (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2018). The knowledge behind the reasons why the chart looks the way it does... Read More

I’ve owned a 2-door, 5- or 6-speed Jeep Wrangler for 32% of my life.  I had the privilege of driving two green Jeeps.  I sold the second one a few months ago.  Enough time has passed.  I can now write... Read More

Sounds odd to say that a place of higher learning will not teach you how to write. But it’s the truth.  The reasons why include the structure of college and the fact that college teachers are not doing the most... Read More

The riddle—and the answer—was given to me by a friend who knows of my interest in nutrition.  The answer supplied to me was, “Because the 10th teaspoon of sugar wouldn’t dissolve in the water.”  That is an interesting answer—but it... Read More

Vermeer’s The Concert (c. 1664) was stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum on March 18, 1990—along with 12 other pieces of art, including three works by Rembrandt.  The heist is known for the Vermeer painting that was taken.  If... Read More