A View from the Hudson

I was on the front porch when you drove by and I waved, thinking that one way to appreciate life is to imagine yourself without one. I told myself this the other morning as I decided to have a piece of toast and butter with my coffee and opened the fridge and there was this special butter looking at me, an expensive high-grade butter...

I was on the front porch when you drove by and I waved just back from a beach vacation where I witnessed an epidemic in this country that threatens to ruin the lives of millions of innocent people. Don’t worry, it’s not contagious --- unless you count Facebook. The only people who can stop this epidemic are the very ones causing it: my generation, the Baby Boomers. Many of us still think we’re at Woodstock, and that we have a waist and a pencil thin neck. We don’t. We are sen

I was on the front porch when you drove by and I waved, happy that there is so much good news to share.

I was on the front porch when you drove by and I waved remembering this is the month for Father’s Day and there is something that needs to be said and as a father who loved you even through the Great Tribulation (read: teenagers), I must say it --- we do not need a Father’s Day gift from you anymore. Gifts are for Mother’s Day, as it should be. That’s right, kiddo, you’re off the hook. Daddy’s Day no longer requires a gift.

I was on the front porch when you drove by and I waved, going inside to mark May 10 on my calendar and write “Call your mother!” in bold black letters and you should too, because, no kidding, your mom wants you to call.

I was on the front porch when you drove by and I waved, glad spring is upon us, but we must keep reminding ourselves because this isn’t reported by the national news media who also never points out 7,000-10,000 steps a day is good for you and that you should never staple anything to your forehead. They assume you know this. Newspapers never point out that Mexico is to the south of us, and though spring has arrived, earlier cold temperatures reminded us that late March was slo

Explore why 'Dumb Could Be the New Smart' as Joe delves into the bliss of ignorance and how embracing 'Dumb' can lead to a happier life.

I was on the front porch when you drove by and I waved, preparing for February’s big event, Valentine’s Day, a delicate balancing act involving the one person you’re legally permitted to be romantic with, yet that same person may verbally explode about how you load the dishwasher. Love is a many splendored thing --- mostly. In the beginning you’re both young and attractive, you’re the sales showroom model with the latest accessories, shining chrome, and perfectly matched tire

I was on the front porch when you drove by and I waved, having earlier poured some coffee an inch to the right of my cup and I blame it on an interview I heard on our TV in the next room. The hosts of the show, husband and wife, were interviewing an actress about her upcoming marriage and regarding her fiancé the actress gushed “He’s a fantastic man!”Whoa! There are no fantastic men. Sorry ladies, if you’re thinking of dating, marrying, or coming within 15 feet of a man, keep

I was on the front porch when you drove by and I waved, thinking I love Christmas but the season is a trial for us Christians who must trudge down aisles of flashy gift items as “Here Comes Santa Claus” drizzles down upon us from ceiling speakers and we struggle to keep the nativity in our mind, a difficult thing, thanks to Charles Dickens.

I was on the front porch when you drove by and I waved having been chased all week by small joys, like the wonderful singing of “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” at church Sunday, the happiness at 7:30 a.m. of little children in a school bus on Davie Avenue, the euphoria of a baby given his milk bottle in the waiting room of my ophthalmologist, and lunch with a friend, a brother by another mother, as we reminisced about growing up on a farm.

I was sitting on the front porch when you drove by and I waved, thinking about a woman I got to know as we both waited to be called for our medical procedures. She turned to me and said “My father likes your stories --- you look something like him.” Quite an opening for a woman who appears to be close to my age. Then she said “I got a funny story for you.”

I was on the front porch when you drove by and I waved, reeling from surprise and consternation, having just learned that a good southern friend of mine (Lord, forgive him) does not like okra.

I was on the front porch when you drove by and I waved, thinking that as a member of the Statesville City Council, I sometimes get ferocious emails from people informing me I’ve lost my ever-loving mind, but that’s okay I forgive them. However, scripture says forgiveness is not enough. “Bless them that curse you, pray for them which despitefully use you,” which is easy with email, you choose Reply “Thank you for reaching out.” then click Delete. But scripture is not meant to

I was on the front porch when you drove by and I waved, appreciative of several things about you that are admirable --- pleasant personality, winning smile, your great taste in reading material, and I must admit, your love handles.

I was on the front porch when you drove by and I waved, thinking the birth of a rare Malayan tapir calf --- a strange looking short necked long-faced mammal ---in the Tacoma, Washington zoo is an important event to those of us who grew up as oddballs, watching the mother nuzzle her child, reminding us of aunts, uncles, and parents who noticed our awkwardness and through kindness guided us over the rocky reefs of our formative years.