Nessie, the wonder dog, with a nose as keen as Sherlock’s Toby,  has introduced a new element into many mornings. One gets up, always a mixed blessing, walks out into the neighborhood, down to the dog park, always suspiciously green, and there she receives the command she eagerly awaits. “Go poop in the grass.” And she joyfully does. “Good dog, Nessie.” I say as the black bag on my hand scoops up the remains of the dog food we paid for… Read more

Times are tough, but not, Thank God, Depression Era tough. My grandparents lived through those hard times and anytime we had a “recession” would laugh, a little when younger people started making Depression comparisons. This was a time when you were glad to have some connection to the family farm so you could go to the country and get food. Food was cheap, but there was not enough cash to buy the food. Families would knock on the door and… Read more