The Rooney Bin

            “A man can work from sun to sun, but a woman’s work is never done.”—Canadian writer Jean Little    An Internet headline: “Having a husband creates an additional seven hours of housework a week,” caught my eye while searching for a topic for this week’s column. Tell me about it! Although women are gaining parity ... Read More

“What dreadful hot weather we have. It keeps me in a continual state of inelegance.”—English novelist Jane Austin Holy Cow! The heat index was 122 degrees in Maryland last week. We’re smack dab in the middle of the dog days of summer that run from July 3 through August11, but seem to go on forever ... Read More

Z-z-z-z-z-zit, snap! Boom! Yikes! That was close. Several weeks ago a violent storm zapped the power and plunged us into darkness for two or three hours. There has been a lot of electricity in the air lately. Some of it was lightning compliments of Mother Nature—as comedian George Carlin said, “electricity is just organized lightning”—and  ... Read More

They’re ba-a-a-ck! Aliens are in the news again. This could become a major campaign issue on both sides of the aisle. I’m not talking building a barrier to keep out illegal immigrants; I’m talking protecting earth from extraterrestrials.             Pentagon officials recently briefed President Trump about sightings of unidentified flying objects reported by Navy pilots. ... Read More

Whether oolong, green, white or black, if you serve tea cold it’s called “iced tea,” not” “ice” tea. A frosty glass or two is most refreshing on a hot day. Although this year sizzling hot weather got a head start at the end of May, temps usually begin to soar in June; that’s why ... Read More

Sunday marks the 47th anniversary of the first official Father’s Day celebration. It’s a day when moms and offspring restock the family hero’s tie rack and sock drawer, take him out to dinner or prepare his favorite meal and give him loving cards.             Father’s Day is the fifth biggest card sending day, lagging behind ... Read More

From scruffy stubble to handlebar-style or pencil thin, lip hair is in vogue. It hasn’t always been that way. At the start of the Victorian era facial fuzz was deemed distasteful, the mark of an artist or revolutionary. By the 1860’s the moustache trend had gained in popularity.   I’ll get right to the point. ... Read More

George Washington collected them. Christopher Columbus used them to prevent scurvy on long ocean voyages. Shakespeare wrote about them, and they were mentioned in the Bible. Americans consume about nine pounds of them a year. Elvis Presley liked his fried. Break out the cucumbers, vinegar, salt and spices; the last week in May could ... Read More

It’s the time of year when folks look forward to summer fun. However, as the social season wraps up in May there are many opportunities to eke out entertainment at galas and ever popular cocktail parties. The cocktail party is thought to be an American invention, but cocktails have been around for some time. The ... Read More

“Isn’t it appropriate that the month of the tax begins with April Fool’s Day and ends with cries of ‘May Day’?—Anonymous             T. S. Eliot wrote “April is the cruelest month…” but it’s also National Humor Month. The weather plays jokes as it vacillates between showers and sunshine and hot and cold. It begins with ... Read More