Montana, where American still works
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I’m a lucky American. Thanks to my wife Colleen’s job as a travel agent, in the last two weeks I’ve been to Europe and back.
Opinion
The keys to living well
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Comedian Carl Reiner was good at living well, and he lived well until the age of 98. I recently watched his 2017 HBO documentary, “If You’re Not in the Obit, Eat Breakfast.” It introduces viewers to several people who are flourishing in their 90s — running races at 100, doing yoga at 98, playing the piano professionally at 100 — and it really does inspire people of all ages to get off their duff and take life by the horns.
We live this new life together
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Luke chapter 14, verses 25-33. I love this passage that contains a specific teaching from the Lord Jesus Christ on the reality and cost of discipleship. This is a reality check for those who would profess to be a follower of Christ, especially in a “Bible Belt” world where everyone assumes that everyone is a good person and therefore must be a christian. But the danger of living in a world or culture that thinks this way is that sin will never seem obvious because it has become so comfortable.
Branford pears split down middle of trunks when they’re 15-18 years old
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Dear Neil: What is the life expectancy of a Bradford pear? We have one that was planted when our house was built 35 years ago. It’s between our drive and the neighbor’s yard. I wanted to take it out five years ago, but our neighbors asked us to keep it. Two branches broke and fell while we were at work last week. I don’t want any more to come down and hit our cars or the neighbor’s house. Should I take it down now or wait and see if it loses any more branches?
Classic Roast Chicken
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What is more comforting on a Sunday afternoon than a nap? Perhaps a golden, juicy, and delicious roast chicken. Combine this classic fare with fluffy mashed potatoes and a side of greens or another favorite vegetable, and you have a meal that is like a comforting hug for your stomach or a glass of wine in front of a roaring fireplace with your favorite blanket.
The value of overbearing fathers
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My father is turning 89 this week, and he’s getting especially sentimental of late. The other day, from his hospital bed, he said he hoped he’d been a good father.
Reform at the FTC is long overdue
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The U.S. economy is teetering on the edge of a recession. Prices are up. Job creation appears to be slowing. People are seeing the value of their wages decline. It’s a perilous time, yet instead of seeking ways to stimulate economic growth, policymakers in Washington are poised to enact new rules that will take us where we don’t want to go.
Red yuccas need time to get established
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Dear Neil: I planted red yuccas last year, and they bloomed beautifully. Last winter when I started to prune the old bloom stalks, they were so brittle that I just pulled them out. This year I had no blooms. Will they bloom next year, or do I need to plant new plants?
Celebrate National Baked Bean
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August has arrived. The summer has flown by so quickly, and it won’t be long until school starts. This month I will feature articles on school lunches, tips for preparing quick and easy meals, and some of our food celebration for the month.
I am going to start by celebrating National Baked Bean Month. I am not surprised since baked beans are a summer staple at picnics and cook outs.
Teens not working doesn’t work for U.S.
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Here’s a trend that may not bode well for the future of our country. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 40% of 16- to 19-year-olds have summer jobs, down from 75% of teens a generation ago.
