The recent coronavirus resurgence set people’s teeth on edge. Especially parents waiting to see whether their school will conduct in-person classes soon or return to spring’s online environment. Like everything else, the situation is fluid. Aside from school, it remains to be seen whether congregations will continue holding in-person worship services or—like a number of…
Read more
Like so many other states, our governor here in West Virginia issued a mandatory mask order a month ago for anyone venturing out into public. It was yet another sign that no matter how tired we are of the coronavirus, this bug isn’t going away any time soon. Yet, while few will relate to my…
Read more
With the resurgence of COVID-19, social unrest, and economic upheaval grabbing the share of news headlines lately, the demise of the personal transporter this month isn’t ranking at the top of the public’s consciousness. Yet the demise of the Segway is a sad phenomenon. It’s one that reminds every would-be inventor that it doesn’t matter…
Read more
With cries of “fake news” and Facebook-fed rumors hurtling around, it’s easy to take the value of local news coverage for granted. Or, it was until the pandemic came along. As a former newspaper reporter and editor, I was used to keeping up with current events each day. Then in mid-March, along came so much…
Read more
Our oldest great-nephew graduates from high school this week, but we won’t be there. The last time we checked, even his parents weren’t sure they would be admitted. In late June, a day before our great-nephew was originally scheduled to graduate, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo gave the green light for outdoor ceremonies of up…
Read more
While I spend the majority of my time editing or revising books, I still do some article writing for a couple denominations. They included a recent, heartwarming story about Overbook Assembly of God of Philadelphia, whose members were well-suited for the challenges of this year’s pandemic. That’s because they trained for disaster by organizing considerable…
Read more
Whether you make it to a lake or ocean this summer or not, warm weather is still a good time to kick back and enjoy a good beach read. If you are looking for an enjoyable trip through the pages (paper or electronic), I nominate the recently released Conspiracy of Grace. As the subtitle says,…
Read more
In early 1983, I set up shop in our small spare bedroom with a postage-stamp-sized desk, a portable typewriter, and no financial reserves or line of credit. Back then, I had no idea I was a trendsetter in the work-at-home environment. Indeed, halfway through that first year when income was so sparse some kind church…
Read more
I attended my first Zoom meeting the third week of May. The following week, I participated in a second. That may not be cause for crowing since such sessions have become so common lately for millions. Yet, considering how rapidly Zoom hatched in my consciousness, it still makes my head spin. In my case, I…
Read more
Though my experience was nowhere near as bad as some people’s, the first six weeks of the coronavirus situation were pretty rough on my nerves. It started with a birthday-related visit Mar. 21 from two grandsons. Two days later, one got so sick at work his boss sent him home. Then he went to the…
Read more
