(My journal continues to chronicle life for my widowed mother, “Hester,” and me in our remodeled country schoolhouse without electricity or running water, plus events on my survey job with… Read more

There is a right way and a wrong way to display the flag.  The American flag should be held in the highest of regards. It represents our nation and the many people who gave their lives for our… Read more

The idea of an annual day specifically celebrating the flag is believed to have first originated in 1885 when a schoolteacher in Wisconsin named B.J. Cigrand arranged for the pupils observe June 14… Read more

It was the summer between by freshman and sophomore years in high school. A tooth emergency arrived. The ache was in a molar on the bottom left rear of my mouth. From my folks all I got was,… Read more

The local newspaper listed the number of countries that have women presidents.  What attributes got them the job?  There was a time when a woman needed courage, determination, and perseverance to… Read more

My widowed mother (nicknamed “Hester” by me) and I were experiencing our first winter in our remodeled country schoolhouse which boasted a telephone but no electricity or running water. We moved… Read more

My name is Gary Johnson, and I would like to share my story. 40 years ago, I served in Vietnam as an infantry pointman with the famous First Infantry Division. On December 20, 1969, I was wounded… Read more

There’s nothing like a good book to chase away the winter blahs. I recovered from my blahs nicely when I read “The Candy Bombers” by Andrei Cherny. This true story is about a Berlin Airlift… Read more

One of my childhood memories is about practice blackouts and air raid warnings. A siren wailed and that meant lights out in the house. The neighborhood also went dark. Shortly after, the siren… Read more

“Sir, excuse me, sir,” I called out to the older man walking past my house. Only his dog, an old, grey, whiskered yellow lab turned to look at me while keeping the slow, meditative pace of his… Read more

Some of you may remember the television show called “What’s My Line?” The announcer would ask “Will the real please stand up?” Here in Southwick, we have a situation that called to mind… Read more

My old house is 209 years old and you can see how rustic it is when you see the old woodshed out back. The old barn boards and the roof, with its curled up old roofing shingles, are ready to fall… Read more