I was at an event in which someone had dirt clods on their shoes that left piles of crud all over the floor. As I was wheeling out the vacuum, I saw a parent of one of the kids in the group and made a comment about the array of dried mud. I said something…

Tired of doing the same old things year after year around the holidays? Feel like you have an endless list of events that you have to attend annually but not sure why you’re still doing them? Then how about we update some holiday traditions to make them more relevant to our modern lifestyles! For example,…

The Dog Days of Summer occur between the beginning of July through about the second week of August. It’s the height of summer—the weather is hot and humid, mosquitos are out in full force, and it’s often too hot to walk Yogi, my parents’ adorable Goldendoodle, unless it’s early morning or late evening.  Because he…

As you probably have surmised by now, I’m a huge fan of recycling. That means all those bottles and boxes, cans and cups. But it also includes donations of clothing, furniture, and household items to thrift stores or charitable organizations. But what do you do with stuff that you can’t really donate? What are your…

You’ve probably been invited to a holiday sing-along before.  Maybe it’s while everyone is still gathered after a big meal, belting out family favorites.  It might involve bundling up and roaming the streets, caroling for the neighbors.  But I was invited to a Messiah sing.  Yes, you heard that right—performing parts of Handel’s choral masterpiece…

If Halloween lends itself to a spooky jazz show, then Christmas pairs admirably with the blues.  There are so many great holiday songs rendered in blues version.  Some of them address how many can feel bummed out during this time of year, whether from a sense of loneliness or a lack of daylight.  But I…

Once you start writing articles like these then you kind of get locked in to having to do interesting stuff all the time.  That’s not the worst thing that can happen to a person, but sometimes I do feel the pressure of recruiting partners in crime and trying to schedule everything in. I had tickets…

I enjoy outdoor music festivals, especially ones that are small enough to be able to see the performers.  It’s great when they take place in the fall, as that’s when Indiana weather is at its best.  Being able to sit on the lawn is great as it gives you space to get comfortable and relax. …

The annual Penrod Art Fair is not for the faint of heart.  It contains an entire encampment of art booths with a myriad of techniques, formats, and media.  Four separate stages include a full schedule of performances ranging from classical and choral ensembles, jazz and rock bands, and youth dance groups as well as professional…

I read an article recently about how goats will save the world.  Actually, it was more about saving the planet on an ecological level.  And maybe it didn’t say that goats would be wholly responsible for this.  But still, the main thrust of the article was that goats are pretty awesome, and their usefulness is…

I’m so glad to have a nice trail here in town.  I like seeing everyone enjoying it in various ways.  It is my preferred venue for running because I don’t have to deal with motorized traffic, stoplights, or exhaust.  Also there are no cracks in the sidewalk—I have a grudge against them after tripping and…

Yogi doesn’t like to be separated from Mom.  So when she was working on a project in the basement, I opened the door and led him down there so he could supervise what she was doing.  He enjoyed doing his reconnaissance and securing the perimeter, which basically means sniffing around a new space. But when…

A few years ago I decided to get one of those mushroom logs.  You soak it in water and spritz it every day until the mushrooms sprout and you can harvest them.  I figure this is an adult version of those science-y projects you did as a kid, like growing sea monkeys or one of…

As you’ve probably gathered from previous articles, I’m not one to chase after the latest technology.  However, I can be convinced to upgrade to a new wave of gadgets if I can see how I can save time, money, or effort.  And so, in 2009, I purchased a 4th generation iPod nano in my favorite…

When I write these articles, I try to serve up my experiences with a side dish of humor.  I generally stay away from editorials, controversy, and opinion pieces.  Be forewarned that this topic may ruffle some feathers.  My provocative question for the week:  Why does Easter have the worst candy of all holidays? Granted, there…

St. Patrick’s Day celebrations have become more popular in recent times.  The day hadn’t really been on my radar until a couple of years ago when I heard about the annual parade in downtown Indianapolis.  I decided that would be a fun event, and I would try to go.  However, that happened to be 2020,…

The saying goes that March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb.  This usually refers to the weather, which this year was more lamb-like.  But for me the implications were a bit different, and the lion aspect proved to be the case for my day. The first of the month happened to…

What’s the first thing you think of when you hear the word “minimalism?”  Probably hippies living in a van, people with drab austere homes, or someone who has taken a vow of poverty. But what if I said that the concept isn’t about punishment  or denying yourself, but rather about making room for the good…

Anyone who says nothing exciting happens in Indiana has obviously forgotten about the weather.  Like a typical Midwesterner, Mother Nature was considerate about the changes and gave us plenty of warning of the upcoming Big Snow.  And let’s not forget that day in the 50s on the eve of the storm to help us prepare.…

Why is hair such a big deal?  We put so much emphasis on how much  you have and where, what color it is, the texture and style—it’s enough to make me want to pull mine out sometimes. My hair journey is pretty simple.  When I was a kid I was required to have short hair…

Now that everyone is probably sick of Christmas music, I will share my list of top ten contemporary Christmas songs.  I define “contemporary” as written in the mid-20th century or later.  (Therefore, it is with much regret that I can’t include Vince Guaraldi’s “O Christmas Tree,” as it is a traditional German song.) 10. Do…

I’m not someone who is into all the latest technological gadgets.  I don’t like the endless consumerism of constantly having to update my personal technology.  I often feel that my older (or some would say, outdated) gadgets do what I need them to do.  If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.  Don’t get new stuff…

Sometimes an event happens that shakes you up out of your regular routine.  You are forced to do something differently, often something that you wouldn’t have tried on your own.  And yet it ends up being beneficial.  Then this becomes your new habit and you wonder why you were ever stuck doing things the old…

I like to make up silly rhymes for various situations in which I find myself.  When I’m walking Yogi and he’s sniffing around, I chant: “I / need you / to do / the poo.”  I don’t know that it actually motivates him to do his business but it sure makes me giggle. But lately…

Summer vacations have gotten shorter for school children in recent years, and I felt the effect of it this year.  My presence was requested almost nightly by some young neighbors.  Not just for my company, I might add, but my LED hula hoops make me popular on summer evenings. These light up toys work best…

I’d like to introduce myself.  My name is Yogi, and I am the adorable (if I may say so myself) Goldendoodle who lives with the Haines family.  I’m given to understand that there are several stories out there about my antics so I thought it was time for a story from my perspective. Here’s the…

I love light displays this time of year.  It’s such a festive approach to the long nights and often gloomy days.  I especially appreciate seeing them on my way to work when it’s still dark in the morning; it gives me a positive way to start the day. This trend usually starts in October as…

As the growing season draws to a close, I thought I’d share some gardening stories.  Specifically, that of Pearlann Haines vs. the Rabbit Nation. In this Battle of the Bunnies she is not aided by Yogi, the Goldendoodle watchdog.  He is so named because he just sits and watches everything and everyone, including the rabbits…

It’s funny to me that with everyone staying home these days there is such an emphasis on doing things on the computer, like watching funny videos, taking virtual classes, and having online meetings.  That’s not even counting streaming movies or TV shows and daily visits to Redbox. I wonder, am I one of the few…

The Slippery Doodle.  No, that’s not a typo for the Slippery Noodle Inn, the blues bar in downtown Indy.  It’s a nickname for Yogi, my parents’ Goldendoodle. This is my latest moniker for him because he’s such a slickster that he can steal food off the counter practically right out from under your nose.  (Truth…

I decided it was time to partake of a fun summer tradition:  A day at the Indiana State Fair! The theme was Heroes in the Heartland; there was a large Spiderman greeting us at the entrance. I rarely wear sunscreen so I had to borrow some; the last time I wore it was two years…

You have to understand that my aversion to golf goes way back.  My dad always tried to get me into golf, and according to him, the fact that I do not play is one of the causes of all the problems in my life.  (The other two things that all my issues can be traced…

I don’t ride rollercoasters or do rides at the fair.  The last time I went to a planetarium I got dizzy. No way am I getting on one of those spinny things at a playground.  So when a friend suggested I try a virtual reality experience I knew I was going to hate it. It’s…

When three people, independent of each other, suggested I try axe throwing for an article, I knew this had to be my next adventure.  I had no idea what this would entail so I figured I’d need to do a little investigating. But then that’s kind of the point of me trying all these different…

In some of my latest readings, I’ve encountered the opinion that you should push your comfort zones and go out on a limb more often.  Some even go so far as to say that if you’re not getting rejected on a daily basis then you’re not taking enough risks. The obvious reaction to all this?…

As the youngest in my family, I’ve learned to be skeptical.  So when I first heard about goat yoga I thought someone was pulling my leg (or trying to get my goat).  But when I searched online (“Goat Yoga Near You”), I found Happy Goat Lucky. The idea behind goat yoga is similar to other…

My new idea for a column series:  I do random oddball stuff and then write about it.  (I suppose that pretty much sums up my life in general, but here I’m referring to specific pastimes.) I figured this serves two purposes, as it gives me an excuse to try weird things that I want to…

Here is a (likely unpopular) statement for you to ponder:  I think we need more inconvenience in our lives.  That’s right; I’m advocating that we need to make some stuff harder for us.  Or more specifically, we need to practice doing the difficult thing, rather than always taking the easy way out.  The areas in…

What’s black and white and everywhere all over the place?  It’s Yogi, the Canine of Chaos! A lot of dogs bark—at other dogs, at people going by outside—but Yogi only barks when you quit paying attention to him.  It sometimes takes my parents nearly three hours to watch a movie due to all the pauses…

When I first read about the residents of McCordsville who lodged noise complaints against the music at Daniel’s Vineyard, I thought:  “Those poor folks, being kept up until the wee hours of the morning!”  I figured the music would have to be unreasonably late for so many people to be upset. I went to the…

When I heard that the firefly was chosen as the official insect of Indiana I was pretty excited.  For one, it’s awesome to have an official insect.  For another, bugs are pretty cool and these are the best of the best. But I do have one issue with it—if the people who decided this are…

Yogi may be a hybrid of dog breeds who is named after a bear, but I believe he is part goat.  He reminds me of a little kid that puts everything in his mouth.  It’s as if he has some weird paper deficiency that makes him eat every napkin, paper towel, and kleenex in sight.…

I’ve been reading about how to set up your environment for success, such as making your lunch the night before to eliminate the morning scramble, keeping gym clothes in the car so as to enable you to exercise after work, or not keeping candy in a jar on your desk. I feel we need to…

We may have celebrated Lunar New Year a few months ago by welcoming the Year of the Dog, but for my parents it’s been that way since mid-2016.   That’s when a goldendoodle puppy came to live with them.  His name is Yogi.  Despite my mother’s enthusiasm for IU basketball, she insists the dog is…

People seem polarized on the issue of Daylight Saving Time; you tend to be either for or against it, and have strong reasons for those beliefs. But I have a proposal in which both sides win and we can all reap the benefits that DST has to offer without enduring the detrimental side effects. The…

My first reaction to the proposal of township consolidation was one of approval. It seems like township designations are a holdover from the days when communications had to be sent on foot or horseback. I thought they were largely irrelevant to modern society. But the more I thought about it, I realized my objections were…

’Tis The Season. But wait, aren’t we past all that? No, I’m talking about something that is way more important to my family—Basketball Season. My mother is the most rabid IU basketball fan I’ve ever met. You might think this is strange coming from someone of her age (if you’re curious you can do the…

Every Who down in Who-ville liked Christmas a lot… But the Grinch, who lived just north of Who-ville did NOT! The Grinch hated Christmas! The whole Christmas season! Now please don’t ask why. No one quite knows the reason. It could be his head wasn’t screwed on just right. It could be, perhaps, that his…

Wellness. We hear this word bandied about these days which may lead us to dismiss it as a trendy buzzword. But we need to acknowledge its importance in each of our lives, and make it a priority in our homes, schools, and workplaces. We may think we can’t spare the time, money, and effort for…

Vines spiraling upwards around a rope. Conical buds that look like mini artichokes. It’s a newcomer to our local agriculture industry—hops. Crazy Horse Hops is a 60-plus acre farm on the western edge of Henry County. They grow and process five different varieties of hops for sale to craft breweries in the midwest area. The…

Buy local. This may seem like a trendy buzzphrase but it is something that’s important to think about. How, and where, you spend your money can have an enormous impact on the place you live, work, and play. With the Shopping Olympics upon us from now through the end of the year, we really need…

Rain or shine, through an ice storm or 110 degree temperatures—this may sound like a wedding vow but rather it’s the motto of a Monday night women’s bridge group. They can count on one hand the number of times that the monthly meeting has been canceled in the 45 years they have been together. The…

What do an auctioneer, a bus driver, and a Mason have in common? They are all one man—Matthew Heath. Heath believes in the importance of serving others in Hancock County. These three roles are some of the channels he uses to give of himself to the local community. Heath is a 2011 graduate of Eastern…

Meetings. Perhaps nobody really loves them but yet can understand why they are necessary. With proper guidelines in place they can be a productive exchange of ideas and an opportunity to delegate tasks toward accomplishing a goal. Group members will have a chance to speak without a few monopolizing the floor. There is a reason…

There’s been a lot of hullaballoo lately about Indiana’s liquor laws. Could a convenience store qualify as a restaurant? Should grocery stores be allowed to sell cold beer? Can children come into a liquor store if they are accompanied by a parent? What about Sunday alcohol sales? As far as I’m concerned none of these…

What if I gave you a suggestion for something you could do that would nearly eliminate waste of kitchen scraps, cut down on your food bill, reduce the endless mowing and mulching in your yard—all while paying for itself? Welcome to the idea of backyard chickens. The idea is sustainable, ethical, and practical. This is…

When I first saw something about the possibility of allowing golf carts on city streets, I thought it was completely goofy. But after I thought about it for a second, I concluded it was a brilliant idea. I’ll tell you why, and what caveats should be included in this community decision. The best reason to…

Now that we are past Memorial Day and the Indy 500, summer can officially begin. I thought I’d celebrate by proclaiming that you don’t need to be scared of the sun as you’ve been taught in recent decades. The sun is your friend and can help you. First, your body needs vitamin D3. Among other…

I am proud to be a Greenfield resident once again. When people relocate, they probably have several things on their to do list, such as open a new bank account, look for a local dentist, or update their address on their driver’s license. My priority? Get a library card! This is (for me) like other…

With Earth Day approaching on April 22, I thought I’d take some time to celebrate it by grousing to the world about why bottled water gets on my last nerve. As you might imagine, my first objection is one of environmental impact. All those bottles—and I cringe to think how many are discarded without being…

What is CSA? It stands for Community Supported Agriculture. Basically it’s like a co-op without the retail establishment. Or being able to buy wholesale as an average consumer. Or like several co-workers going in to buy a gift or something for the office. A CSA is where groups of individuals get together to buy from…

My parents have a sense of humor. For Christmas they got me a five pound chocolate bar—and a tube of toothpaste. I got through about half of it then took it to work to share the love (and the sugar). I felt a bit bad about this because if I don’t want to eat something…

I’ve been reading lately about the industrial food industry. Specifically, processed food companies and chain restaurants design foods with a particular ratio of salt, sugar and fat in order to increase food cravings. This triple-threat combo renders us powerless to the addictive properties of these substances. The fact that Big Food employs chemists to engineer…

I encountered a brilliant idea recently that I think could be easily implemented for an enormous positive impact on local communities. I was checking out at a local Bloomington grocery store, and after I was given my total, I was asked if I wanted to round up my total to the next whole dollar. The…

A while back I noticed that my legs looked funny. I was concerned as I’d never seen them look like that before and wondered if there was something wrong. Then it hit me—that’s what cellulite looks like. I tried on a skirt that I had worn only two months before and couldn’t get it zipped.…

Having been around for a while, I’ve seen some interesting fad diets. I understand—people want a quick fix to being overweight and think the next trend that comes along might be the answer to all their weight problems. I’m sympathetic; if you offered me a bracelet to slap on my wrist or a pill that…

Autumn in Indiana wouldn’t be complete without several forays into the woods to hike and enjoy the spectacular array of leaves. I feel that if I miss this important fall ritual, I cannot properly transition from summer into winter. I hope to inspire others to feel the same. October seems to be the peak season…

I’m usually an active person but I completely slacked off in August. I think I got lazy; it was hot and humid. I succumbed to inertia which can be a powerful force and difficult to resist once you’re there in the doldrums. Then in September I had a cough that would not go away so…

When I first moved into my apartment a couple of years ago, I made sure that the free wifi reached to my particular unit. I didn’t want the hassle of packing everything up and venturing to the community room every time I wanted to use the internet. (I am thankful to say I don’t have…

As you probably know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. You see pink ribbons everywhere, many products are available in pink, and there is even a trend for pink hair. It’s Pinktober. This penchant for pink is thanks to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation. The problem is that none of this stuff…

It’s harvest season in Indiana. The cornfields have been transformed into giant mazes. Pumpkins, squash, apples and cider are abundant. I thought now would be the time for me to reap the fruits of my labor but that is sadly not how events played out. I shall explain. First I should back up a few…

If you’re getting tired of considering how to vote for the lesser of two evils in this presidential election, then this article is for you. There are alternatives. Two third-party candidates who have gained traction during this campaign are Gary Johnson (Libertarian) and Jill Stein (Green Party). According to a Gallup poll, since 2007 a…

Americans love conspiracy theories! I recently heard about one that really takes the cake. Apparently Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton might not be quite the rivals that we have seen throughout the presidential campaign. After all, Trump was close enough with the Clintons to be at their wedding, and the daughters of the two families…

I have a shocking statistic for you about crime in America. Ask anyone and they will tell you that our country has gotten more dangerous, with violence all around us. We hear it on all the news outlets, and even our entertainment of movies and television reflects this. Except that it is completely false. The…

We hear a lot about Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) in children. Now it seems that adult ADD is on the rise, and this is becoming a health concern. But I’ve read some interesting books lately that seem to indicate that it might not be true ADD but rather that our current culture has made many…

You may have heard that there has been a recent introduction of a bill in Pakistan that would allow men to “lightly beat” their wives. It got me to thinking that countries with high rates of domestic violence seem to be worse off in other ways. I started doing some searches and I found that…

The official title of the Dr. Seuss story is What Was I Scared Of? but growing up we always referred to it in my family as “The Pale Green Pants with Nobody Inside Them,” because that’s what it’s about. This topped the list of freaky weird tales that creeped me out. Yet it was one…

The first thing is that everyone seems to be confusing sex and gender. Sex is genetic: If you have XX chromosomes you are female; if you have XY chromosomes you are male. This is a matter of biology and in all but a few rare instances everyone is genetically one or the other. Gender, however,…

Often people look forward to this time of year in Bloomington waves of students are making a mass exodus. But sometimes I get sad as well because I think of all the pets that get abandoned by irresponsible owners who move away and don’t bother to find new homes for their animals. I don’t think…

If there is one particular industry that exemplifies some of the worst aspects of our throwaway culture, it would be the world of fashion. Traditionally, clothes were very expensive. They would be mended, reused, and handed down. Home sewing and repair skills were crucial. Frugality and caring for the items you had were values taught…

One of my spring cleaning projects is usually to go through everything and donate things I’m no longer using. It’s funny that I have less stuff than most people and yet I still feel I have too much and it drives me crazy. I do not understand how people feel like they need to hang…

There are many signs that spring is finally here, and one of those is the appearance of the farmers’ market. It may seem like some quaint old-fashioned custom to some, but in Bloomington it is the place to see and be seen. I hope that the farmers’ market can be viewed as a cool destination…

Everyone loves a bargain; no doubt about that. But once you do a little investigating, you’ll realize that cheap ultimately has a high cost. I read a fascinating book that breaks down the far-reaching results of our fondness for bargains—Cheap: The High Cost of Discount Culture, by Ellen Ruppel Shell. It started with distancing the…

Sometimes it’s nice to shine a spotlight on an organization that is doing good in this world. Habitat for Humanity is just such a group. If you’re not familiar with this non-profit, Habitat’s mission is to provide affordable and livable housing for those who need it. It is not a giveaway program; homeowners purchase the…

With Kentucky Derby season approaching, I recall how I used to enjoy going to the races, watching the beautiful horses and seeing all the stylish hats. But there was a shabby underside to all that when I would notice all the people who shouldn’t have been wagering, who didn’t seem to have money to spare.…

I am a proud lifelong Hoosier but sometimes things happen in our legislature that do not make sense to me in any way, shape, or form. A statewide bill that prohibits local communities from enacting bans on single-use plastic bags is one of these astounding events that stops me in my tracks. There has been…

It seems like cars are representative of American independence, and perhaps that’s why we’re so attached to them. But I feel our reliance on them is an overall detriment and we need to revisit the idea of more widespread public transportation, as well as making our cities more bike and pedestrian friendly. This used to…

Every year on April 15, members of the Libertarian party can be found protesting outside the Monroe County post office as people are mailing in their tax forms at the last minute. Their placards say things like “Work is a crime; pay your fine today.” I must say, I think they have a point. I…

With all the debates about what should be taught in schools, I’m going to add another subject into the discussion: Chess. Some may argue against this; after all it’s just a game, they might say. I would respond it’s not just a game, it’s THE game. Sure, most people aren’t going to become chess masters,…

With Valentine’s Day approaching, thoughts often turn to chocolate. I am personally a big fan of this treat but as I’ve been discovering lately, there is a dark side to the chocolate industry. We as consumers need to be educated about what is behind a seemingly innocent confection, and investigate alternatives to mass produced chocolate.…

There’s a lot of talk these days about legalization of marijuana, but not nearly enough discussion about the status of industrial hemp. Since the plants are genetically related, people often mistake the purposes of one for the other. Specifically, many believe that legalization of industrial hemp is the same as making marijuana widely accessible, and…

We’ve got to get serious about the whole reduce, reuse, recycle concept. Consider this: What if there was no “away” when you wanted to throw something away? What if you had to live with all the trash you accumulated, and had to find some way to deal with it yourself? I think in this case…

I have an idea for a resolution for the new year that I’d ask you to consider trying with me—go vegan, even if you can only do a few days at a time to start with. There are many reasons we should make this change: personal health, protection of the environment, decrease of dependence on…

Now that winter weather is finally upon us, it’s time to have that conversation about turning down the heat. This is yet another NOW (Nugget of Wisdom) that I got from my parents, and I can say I’ve really taken this one to heart. In the interest of full disclosure, I seem to be able…

There has been a lot of talk lately about the custom of tipping and about the possibilities for altering the current paradigm.  I think it’s high time for this conversation to happen and for changes to be made, for a variety of reasons. For one, gratuities are supposed to be a bonus given by the…

Almsgiving. You may think of this as an archaic term, something you’d come across in a scene in a Charles Dickens novel. (Or else in a Monty Python sketch, poking fun at such old-fashioned language.) Today we might phrase it as charitable donations or maybe even an end of the year gift for tax deduction…

There are so many ways to get information these days that I think we tend to forget about good old-fashioned reading on the printed page of a book. I like the general idea of electronic readers—they are more environmentally friendly than traditional books, they take up less space, and the size of the font and…

We hear a lot of talk this time of year about The Holidays.  This includes a variety of events, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s Day.  Sometimes these holidays can be stressful with traveling and trying to visit as many people as possible. Other times you can feel down because you feel…

There has been a lot of talk lately about school core requirements, standardized testing, and academic standards. Let me start by stating that I do not have a horse in this race—I am not a teacher, aide, administrator, school board member, politician, or parent. I guess first we need to decide on the purpose of…

It confuses me that there are people who want to discourage mothers from breastfeeding in public. I guess they view this as somehow inappropriate, but the reasons they argue against it as well as the alternative options they suggest for these women seem rather silly to me. The sentiment heard most often from the naysayers…

Things would sure go a lot better if people were just honest. Of course when we think of honesty then concepts such as not lying, cheating, or stealing probably come to mind first. Obviously those activities are not compatible with honesty and are serious and even criminal problems. I think we would all agree that…

Here we are once again at our annual “fall back” from Daylight Saving Time to Eastern Standard Time. Since we are on DST for more months out of the year than we are on regular time we tend to forget that the setting of the clocks in the winter months is actually the norm. I…

Whatever happened to a day of rest? I’m old enough to remember when stuff was closed on Sundays and holidays. You spent time with family and friends rather than working or running errands as we do today. It’s really only recently that this change has taken place. Perhaps it is because we used to do…

I still don’t feel I’m completely reconciled to this whole being an adult thing. But one advantage I will concede to is having the ability and freedom to speak out about what needs to be addressed. One of those things is the fact that bullying is far more common among our young people than we…

I decided I needed a new activity. I wanted something that would give me physical exercise as well as an opportunity to meet people. And if I can do it outside then that’s a bonus. So I decided to get involved with the group in Bloomington that does hula hoop dancing. This wasn’t a new…

I saw this contest in which you could win a house on the Ohio River in Vevay, IN. For $199 and an essay of not more than 200 words you would be in the running with the rest of the contenders. I thought this was just kooky enough for me to give it a try.…

Debt is so much a part of our culture that we forget that it’s a bad thing. We just accept that this is how things are for most people without stopping to think about how we can change the situation, at least in our own lives. First I think I should make a distinction between…

I’m still trying to understand this whole crowdfunding phenomenon. If you’re not familiar with this term, it means asking a bunch of people for money for something you want (or perhaps need), probably through the use of various internet sites dedicated to this specific purpose. Certainly there’s a long history of communities coming together to…

I think the moon is fascinating. I admit it; I’m a moon nerd. I love it when I get a chance to view it in its various stages, and I enjoy learning about facts and folklore. I even have an app on my iPad that shows what phase the moon is in on any given…

There’s yet another affliction endemic to our modern western culture of abundance—the Fear Of Missing Out, often abbreviated as FOMO. This is usually presented as a problem with technology, such as smart phones that enable us to be connected at all times, as well as the reliance on social media, which has changed the ways…

“Summertime and the livin’ is easy.” Apologies to George Gershwin but I am sick of this song. Maybe that’s because it’s an American standard and I listen to a lot of jazz shows. Or maybe it’s because there aren’t that many songs about summer so then I get tired of the few there are. (I…

There are many times I really wish I had a pet of some sort. I found myself talking to a tiny spider on my floor the other day. I was impressed with it as I had also seen it near the window, on the counter top, and on a wall. I figure that’s the equivalent…

Whenever I find myself getting crabby and irritable it’s usually a sign I’m not retaining a sense of humor in the current situation. This may seem odd considering that I frequently inject humor into much of my writing, and I try to be funny in daily life. But making other people laugh is sometimes a…

I made a startling self-discovery recently. I’d been working through this series of exercises designed to help you break out of a rut of ingrained thought patterns. One of the tasks was to go to a local coffee shop and ask for a 10% discount. I dutifully followed the instructions, and was surprised that my…

I don’t understand people who never want to go outside. I get squirreley if I’m cooped up indoors too long. Even in bad weather I eventually have to get out because it is so refreshing. Why are some people so averse to going outside? Is it really that uncomfortable? To me putting up with a…

Living in Bloomington means many opportunities for interesting experiences. There are ethnic restaurants, a variety of music performances—and the chance to participate in research studies. I like the idea that I could contribute to science in a way that might be of use to someone in the future. The one project that caught my eye…

Mindfulness is one of those fancy trendy words that I hear a lot lately. Basically it means to pay attention to what you’re doing. This could range from focusing on enjoying the present moment and the people you’re with to making conscious decisions about what you do. Intentionality is another word that goes along with…

It’s summer. Maybe you think about swimming or cooking out. Or you might be more concerned with the chore of mowing or the threat of sunburn and mosquito bites. Perhaps you’re looking for something different to do this year—how about a summer reading program at the library? Many might associate trips to the library with…

I think we need to bring back the barter system. It seems like money makes things so complicated and at times it would be much easier if we could just trade goods and services. After all, this is how it used to be. You’d go to the doctor and bring produce from your garden. Someone…

I was visiting my parents recently, helping them get ready for a garage sale. Mom and I were upstairs; she asked if I thought she should get rid of a group of stuffed animals. I explained that they are meant to be played with and get lonely when they are left in a corner by…

I should start off by stating that I am at best an amateur historian, and know next to nothing about architecture. But maybe that’s to my advantage as my observations are seen through the lens of a layman rather than someone who has systematically studied this subject. I feel that the changing structure of homes…

I am so sick of staring at screens. I do not understand why they have to be so pervasive in every aspect of modern life. It’s like we have given up the right to take in what information we choose and the manner in which we consume it. What bothers me is that I feel…

168. The number of hours in a week. We all get the same amount. What happens from there is up to us. I get tired of hearing “everyone’s just so busy.” Why? Are these conscious choices to participate in activities that bring us joy or help us grow? Or have we drifted into this schedule…

I read this article about a Japanese concept called wabi-sabi, which is the idea of intentionally appreciating things that are not perfect. I think this is difficult for us in our western culture, with it’s emphasis on consumerism. We have been conditioned from years of advertising to want shiny new stuff, and to expect uniformity…

I’ve been reading a lot lately about personality types and their differences. I’ve had discussions with friends about this, trying to figure out my 4-letter code from the Myers Briggs Type Indicator, or my title from the Keirsey Temperament Sorter. I think the main thing I’ve learned is that it’s not so much of trying…

They say you can learn a lot from bad experiences. If so then I think I made a deposit in my knowledge bank as a result of the following story. I was working at an office job, which was bad enough as I don’t like sitting, being trapped in front of a computer, or answering…

I think we can learn a lot from childrens’ books.  I suppose that’s one of the reasons that people write them in the first place, to instruct kids.  I am a big fan of Dr. Seuss as I find his stories have significance on various levels.  You can read them on the surface and look…

Why does everything have to revolve around food?  Yes, we need it to survive but food is here to serve us, not the other way around. Some may say that you have to eat so why not do it while spending time with people?  You’re going to be having lunch so you might as well…

I knew I had been in a rut for a while and needed to take action to get out of it.  Often my solution is to look for something to read that will give me practical advice.  But when you look at a book about positivity and have a reaction that is somewhere on the…

To all you perfectionists out there, I have a message for you:  Sometimes good enough is good enough. Disclaimer:  I am not talking about slipshod work or substandard craftsmanship.  As my dad says, “You don’t want the optimist building the bridge.”  This concept does not apply to anything relating to medical care, safety, or treatment…

A lot of people in our country today suffer from affluenza.  As you might surmise, this word is a mashup of affluence and influenza, and it has characteristics of both. In colloquial terms, this is known as “Keeping up with the Joneses.”  In sociology, it’s called conspicuous consumption.  Your status and worth is shown by…

I’m used to seeing articles floating around on the internet with sensationalistic titles that often don’t live up to the hype so I’m usually skeptical when I click on a link. But I am glad I took a chance recently as I read one that completely blew me away. It was about the real cause…

In my women’s writing group, we are given a choice of prompts to get us started with a piece that we could share in the next meeting. One of them that spoke to me is “What needs to be thawed in your life?” I thought this was appropriate for many reasons. For one, it’s winter…

A friend invited me to attend the chili cook-off at her apartment building in which she was the defending champion. (Alas, she lost the title this year.) This got me to thinking yet again about how cooking is like magic to me—an elusive skill that I have not yet obtained. My favorite cookbook remains to…

As the popular winter song says, “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.” So what better time to talk about hot tea? As a tea enthusiast in a nation of coffee drinkers, I often feel like an oddball for preferring tea. This is especially so as I not only drink hot tea in all seasons, but I also…

It’s that time of year: The whirlwind of holiday activity is over, there is an abundance of inclement weather, and you’re feeling downright crummy. I give you “Stef’s Tips for Combating the Winter Blues.” First, you need a good soundtrack. I really enjoy music from the 1920s, and I’ve been listening to the legendary Bessie…

I’ve decided my life has gotten way too serious lately. This may come as a surprise to anyone who knows me as I have an oddball personality coupled with a lot of extra energy and (I think) generally come across as a fun person. But I’ve realized it’s been a while since I’ve played. Played…

People have commented over the years that I tend to be lucky. I’ve wondered why this might be, and then I read an article recently that I think explains a lot. First off, I should explain that I’m not talking about gambling.  I am not going to tell you how to pick winning lottery tickets,…

My life has been all about Jane Austen these last few weeks.  I won tickets to the production of Pride and Prejudice at the IU Theatre.  It was an exceptional performance, and it rekindled my interest in All Things Jane. I discovered a few movie adaptations that I had somehow missed in recent years; I…

I’m one of those people who actually likes to exercise; getting me to sit still is more of a challenge. I find that the answer to many problems is some sort of physical activity. (I bet you’re wondering: “How’s that ‘sitting-in-front-of-a-computer-writing’ thing working out for you?”) There’s a yoga studio located a short walk from…

Usually you see tributes to dads around Father’s Day. But since today is my dad’s birthday, I thought this would be a good time to share some stories that demonstrate what I’ve learned from him. First of all, he has always stressed the importance of uncompromising honesty. Consider this tale: Dad has a very analytical…

Homecoming. That’s what I often think of in October. Many people associate that word with school sporting events, but I think about all the fall festivals and activities that only happen at this time of the year. Maybe this is due to growing up in Indiana, which is the most beautiful place in the world…

It’s amazing how easy it is to live a simple lifestyle when you’re a cheapskate to begin with. To use a very old expression, I can squeeze the buffalo until it bellows.  (If you don’t have great-great grandparents around to ask what this means, I’ll explain.  Way back when, nickels used to feature a buffalo…

It’s not easy being green.  I know this phrase has become trite over the years but I’m old enough to remember when Kermit the Frog said it for the first time.  Of course lately it is used to illustrate how difficult it is to be environmentally conscious, and as with many topics I have a…

A friend asked me if I would be willing to share some of my dating experiences and be a guest writer on her blog. She explained that I came to mind because she felt the perspectives of the twenty- and thirty-something crowd were pretty well covered, but she was curious about the view of someone…

In August, the Haines family made the annual foray into the rustic bliss of Carp Lake, Michigan. We stayed in a cabin right on Paradise lake. (I should explain that the lake is called Paradise Lake, but the town is Carp Lake; they didn’t want a name so attractive that it would make people actually…

“Spend the weekend with an oxymoron!”  is how Potato Run dance weekend is advertised by the Louisville Contra Dancers.  I thought it was just an excuse to decorate the fliers and the dance hall with Mr. and Ms. Potato Heads.  But apparently there is a creek called Potato Run in the Leavenworth area of southern…

The Spirit of Vincennes Rendezvous is an historical reenactment that takes place annually on Memorial Day weekend.  Although the emphasis is on the late 18th century, they allow costumes from about 1750 to around 1815.  This is the period in which the majority of battles took place in this region, in various configurations, between the…

After a whirlwind tour of the house, the family left for a vacation in the Florida Keys.  I wandered around trying to acclimate myself to what would be my surroundings for the next fortnight.  I was continually startled by the lights that come on automatically when I entered a room or opened a closet.  I…

Every year, the Indy contra dance group does a demonstration at the Indianapolis State Fair in an attempt to get new members.  The general consensus is that it has had a minimal impact on recruitment, but everyone has so much fun that it continues to be an annual event.  As a perk for dancing, I…

No, we don’t have tree growing out of our courthouse!  I have to answer that question about once a month when asked where I’m from.  It’s interesting to me that people confuse where you live and where you’re from—I’m from Greenfield; I live in Bloomington.  I can change where I live, but I will always…

The Porch Swing is WFHB’s weekly program featuring local storytelling.  In this episode, I suffer a painful wardrobe mishap in the name of bad 80’s fashion.  Here is “The Bodysuit”:  

Here is my speech from the Mayor’s Breakfast, part of the annual Riley Festival in Greenfield.