Two Gents' Worth
November 22, 2024
Civil Society
The other day, I was having lunch with several friends at the Buckhorn up in North Fork when, for some reason, I mentioned that when I was a young guy, I had owned a Ford Pinto. All of them started laughing. Immediately. After a second or two, I started chuckling, as well — and then…
Read More about Yep. I Owned a Ford Pinto
Civil Society
Yes, the time has almost come for us to end our nearly two-week trek to Mr. Disney’s place here in Orlando and head back West. We’ve had quite a fine time here, and you always hate to see something you really, really like — come to an end. No, this is not going to be…
Read More about Memories from Walt’s Place
Civil Society
In recent years, it seems that every time Sharon and I manage to make our way to Disney World in Orlando — and every time we receive a nice greeting on the TV inside our resort room — I write a piece on this very blogsite, saying near the top that it might be the…
Read More about Mr. Disney’s World, Again
Civil Society
It was, incredibly, exactly a half-century ago this very week when I was hired by Channel 30 as the youngest TV reporter in Fresno. I was 23 — and, of course, almost completely unqualified. I had graduated from Fresno State with a degree in broadcast journalism and taken my first full-time broadcasting job as a…
Read More about A Half-Century Ago
Civil Society
On the Saturday night before Thanksgiving a few weeks ago, we had to say good-bye to a beloved family friend. And we cried. Her name was Rocky. She was 17. She had started her life by being pulled out of a trash bin by some kindly people who discovered her when she was only a…
Read More about Farewell, Rocky
Civil Society
On the week before Christmas more than a half-century ago, I received the greatest gift anyone had ever given me. And it changed my life. Let me tell you a story. I grew up in Fresno in the San Joaquin Valley of California. We did not have a lot of money. But Mom did have…
Read More about The Greatest Gift
Civil Society
Yes, it’s nearly back. Thanksgiving Day. That day of turkey and Macy’s parade and NFL football. I’ve experienced nearly three-quarters of a century’s worth of Thanksgivings (not quite — I’m not that old — not yet, at least). So I have a ton of memories of that day, as you undoubtedly do. Growing up in…
Read More about Thanksgiving, Again
Civil Society
They held a Chili Cook-Off in Bandit Town near North Fork in the Sierra this past Saturday, and there were several reasons why I had to head up there. For one thing, I like chili — a lot. And I knew it was going to be a gorgeous autumn day at the 3,000 foot level. …
Read More about Bandit Town’s Hot ChiliCivil Society
They put on another Old Timers Day Parade in Madera this past Saturday. In a related story, I dressed up as a Victorian dandy. Now that I have your attention, I hope, let’s move on. First — the parade. They’ve been having one in honor of Old Timers for more than 90 years in Madera,…
Read More about A Dandy in Madera