In the third grade I wanted to be "somebody" and thought I could sing and dance my way to stardom. When asked for voice lessons, my Dad asked me to "try out" for him and my Mother at 7pm that night. I worked all day on my rendition of "Sunny", dressed up...

  When I was 15, I gave all new meaning to the term “bad hair day.” What I had was a bad hair extravaganza. I was halfway into my first year of high school, and I longed for a new look – I had no idea how much of one I was about...

Father's Day is on a lot of people's minds, and I just wanted to point out something that not a lot of people think about. See, to someone my age, and I'm 81, the best thing about Father's Day is that it led the way for me to become a grandfather. It...

I want to share with you a little something that may be of interest to anyone who is into weather, such as storm chasing and the like. On my most recent trip back home to Illinois (my home state), I stopped in Belvidere, which is about 65...

I'm not sure where the thought came from - probably an episode of Oprah. I found myself wondering if the Middleton’s have enough family holiday traditions. Like any good dad, I want my children to cherish the memories of this wonderful time of...

It happens almost every day. I get home from work, kick off my shoes, plop down in front of the television and I hear that unmistakable voice. He wants me to go swimming. My 13-year old son has waited all day for his dad to join him in the...

Whether you went to college 5 years ago or 55 years ago -- sitting through a lecture was usually something to dread. In fact, I must admit (sorry Mom and Dad!) to working out a sign-in system with friends, so we could rotate who had to actually sit...

This week's "Reality Bytes: A Message that Resonates" video is Perfect!   To paraphrase your video "blurb":   Every caregiver out there knows it's not easy. But I didn't even know about the Community Education & Resource Affiliation of...

You know how a smell can trigger a memory? For me … Earl Grey tea is one of the most powerful smells around. Not because of the delicate herbs and spices -- but because Earl Grey smells like summer afternoons with my grandmother. Grandma Kathy was...

Ciji Ware didn't exactly have a normal upbringing, but she hasn't complained one bit. Her father, Harlan Ware was one of two main writers for the longest running non-interrupted serial drama in radio history, "One Man's Family." Harlan died exactly 40...