Opinion

Body 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.

Body 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.

Body 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.

Body 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?

Body 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.

Body I write this sitting at a cafe in front of the Italian Parliament, waiting for the president to resign.

Body Summer is the time when fresh fruits and vegetables are in full swing with gardens, farmers markets, and producers harvesting the fruits. My garden is growing and producing many yellow squash, peppers and tomatoes.

Body The third spring feast is the Feast of First Fruits. It is celebrated at the time of the early barley harvest, the first grain to ripen.