Growing Bolder Community

The air is crisp and cool, Christmas music blares throughout the entire free world -- and even France. It all signals that a favorite time of the year is upon us, once again: PBS Pledge Week. Every year, I can hardly wait to see what new scheme the PBS people will try to guilt us into coughing up unholy amounts of cash so they can sponsor even more Doo Wop Reunions and also televise stuff...

When I moved to Orlando in 1981, I got a job as a hardline artist for an ad agency. We represented the Belk Lindsey department store chain and by hardline, I mean I drew items sold in the stores like shoes, stereos and household items. Back then, department stores carried a larger assortment of goods, not just fashion and accessories. I could not draw clothes worth a hoot. Today, what little...

When my husband and I married we lived in a duplex in a nice little town. We met some nice neighbors and settled in to a nice friendly relationship with a family on the next street. They had six children ranging from preteen to a toddler in diapers named Teresa. We watched her grow and soon we were expecting our own baby. She would come over and help me get ready for the new baby.Her life...