The current stalemate between The Boeing Co. and the IAM over the proposed union contract for the new 777X reminded me of the jacket in my closet. It’s teal green and white, with the words “777 Working Together” embroidered on it.
“I don’t know about you, but all this news about personal surveillance has me seeing red. As a result, I’ve changed my life radically.”
Just like humans, a park is a living thing and needs nurturing to survive.
Many fathers fail to “man up” and choose to run from this lifetime commitment – physically, emotionally or financially. Dads love to share their passions by teaching us what they know and love.
This month, my grandson’s first dog, Tank, died. Concerned about his emotional well-being over the loss, I wrote him the following letter.
Those who don’t love or have a pet, probably can’t understand why May is designated National Pet Month. But those who love pets are thinking “Why not?”
Even today, the Chinese community still embraces the traditional Chinese calendar, rich in its astrology, numerology and zodiac signs to determine festival dates and guidance for the future so as to obtain favor and fortune.
When I lay at the blood bank giving blood, I can’t help but notice the posters on the wall promoting “Imagine Saving a Life.” “But who’s life?” I often wondered. How uplifting it would be to meet them and see the transformation in their lives. But I never have.
Even a second grader can tell you the word “veteran” comes before the word “voting” in the dictionary. But they probably don’t realize the significance of that order other than it is grammatically correct.
We are exercising our right to vote with the arrival of our ballot in the mail. Hard to believe it took almost 200 years (1775 – 1971) for everyone over the age of 18 to be allowed to vote, a necessary and key component in maintaining our freedom and democracy over all these years.
We don’t always get a second chance in life. This is especially true when it comes to raising our children. Often parents look back and wish they had done things differently.
Take me, for instance. I was what I would call a “caretaker” mom. You know the kind – the Type A personality caught up in the daily routine making sure everything was running smoothly, rather than overlooking disorder in order to have some fun.
Are you a party person? That is, a Democrat or Republican? I find relative worth in both platforms, so my answer would be “Yes.”
My views of both parties are not those of a political scientist but my own experiences over six decades of studying history, reading, news and voting.
More than likely you know of at least one person who is graduating this month from eighth grade, high school or college. A congratulations to all of you as a new phase of a young life begins! Nothing could be more gratifying and exciting.
As ministers prepare for their Sunday sermons, they pray that their words and readings will help lift the parishioner’s soul from the cancer of anger, hatred and despondency.
But what if your parishioners are combat soldiers returning from heavy fighting where they killed and maimed? Or watched as their buddies were mangled or took their last breath? Anger, helplessness and hatred are at the very surface of their being.
When is a commentary not a commentary? Answer: when the commentator comes down with a familiar sickness for writers called “writer’s block.”
Not that there isn’t plenty to comment on. But despite all the important events and issues that affect our lives today, it seems when you talk to people the first thing on their mind is – the weather. Everyone has a comment on that, so who needs mine?
When you write commentary, you often get advice from others on what to write about. This column was inspired by our adult children.
March Madness usually brings to mind the NCAA Basketball tournament. But my thoughts turn lovingly to my mother and her obsession with spring cleaning.
I no sooner got my new 2012 calendar on the wall, when my brother asked me, “Are you prepared?” “Prepared for what?” I asked. He replied, “The end of the world on Dec. 21, 2012.”
I checked my pre-printed calendar to see if it was marked as a special event for 2012 – for surely something of that magnitude would be mentioned. But it wasn’t.
This is difficult for me to say but my name is Tish and I am an addict. I think this holiday season it’s time for me to go on the wagon. Not the alcohol or rich-food wagon, but the charitable-giving wagon.
Requests from deserving charities to help the less fortunate at this time of year are overwhelming. The pleas are like large neon signs flashing before my eyes with such intensity that my giving heart wants to help everyone. But how can I, when the need is getting greater and my funds are getting smaller?
Recently, when I noticed fresh graffiti and tagging in my neighborhood, I immediately took pictures and forwarded them on to code compliance at the City of Renton. Renton’s strong ordinance, established in 2008, against this type of activity has been very successful because of their all-inclusive approach to this problem – early notification by the public, cash rewards, quick cover up of tagging and graffiti by volunteers, criminal trespass and vandalism charges for offend
There is a lot to be said for a society that sets aside a special day to celebrate accomplishments that come from labor, both our own and that of others. Whether we get paid to do a job, volunteer to help others, take care of our families or help a neighbor, it is labor – in its many forms – that gives dignity and purpose to our lives.
Overlooking Puget Sound one summer day, my grandson and I were watching a para- glider being pulled by a speed boat. I commented, “I couldn’t do that.” He replied, “You couldn’t do that anyway.” Puzzled, I said, “And, why not?” “Because that’s for adults,” he stated. I looked at him and asked, “Well, what am I?” “You’re a grandma,” he said.
This month I sublet my column to the future to see what they have to say.
On June 14, 2011, an historic event took place at Renton High School as 200 seniors graduated at the school’s 100th commencement.
So I went right to the source – the graduates themselves – to see “what are you thinking?” at this historic time.
April 22nd is Earth Day, so I thought this would be a good time to check with Waste Management to…
