Stories Short and Strange
17 short stories for general audiences ranging from the unusual to the unbelievable to the just plain strange.
Is It Really Christmas?
In case there is any doubt — https://isitchristmas.com/ Merry Christmas!
The Colors of Christmas
Have you ever wondered why red and green are considered Christmas colors? I didn’t until I read “How Red and Green Became the Colors of Christmas” by Rachel E. Greenspan ( http://time.com/5467060/red-green-christmas-colors/? ). The article quotes Arielle Eckstut, author of The Secret Language of Color:“There is no definitive history, per se.” Eckstut discovered that holly, with
Books to the Rescue — Literally
A crisis like being in an auto accident or the victim of a crime can be traumatic enough, but what if you’re a child? The solution to calming a child under stress can be as simple as giving them a book. That is the idea behind a charity named Books to the Rescue. Based in
When Animals Crack the Code
For those who need a lighthearted story — Rocco is an African grey parrot who had to be removed from an animal sanctuary because he swore too much. But what really makes him special is his mastery of technology. He has learned to talk to Amazon’s virtual assistant Alexa. He interacts with Alexa up to
Our Celestial Neighborhood
I’ve always been interested in astronomy, although it’s hard to observe the skies in a suburban environment due to the light pollution. But even though I can’t see that much, I know there’s a lot more out there than literally meets the eye. Our local address is in the Milky Way galaxy, and you’ve probably
When the North Tried To Leave the Union
I’ve always been amazed about how much history never makes it into the schoolbooks. We all know how Abraham Lincoln’s election in 1860 triggered Southern states leaving the Union, and the Civil War. But go back four years to the election of 1856. The winner was James Buchanan, who had been born in Pennsylvania but
Fall Asleep the Army Way
If you have trouble falling asleep, the U.S. Army has a method that might help. in the military, a good night’s sleep can literally be a life-and-death matter. Hence the development of this method. Here’s what the Army recommends — Sit on the edge of your bed. Make sure only your bedside light is on,
How Do You Mend a Broken Heart?
Something interesting you may have noticed during the press coverage of the death of President George H.W. Bush — he died less than eight months after the death of his beloved wife Barbara. You may also recall actress Debbie Reynolds dying a day after her daughter Carrie Fisher in 2016. Is this unusual? Not really.
A Lesson in Cultural Diversity
What is the most culturally diverse city? Some say it’s Amsterdam, with about 178 different cultures. London can make a strong claim for second, with approximately a third of its population foreign-born. The most diverse city in the U.S. would be Los Angeles, rated third in the world, with an estimated 86 languages spoken by
Reflections on Public Service
Last year at my 50th high school reunion, I renewed acquaintances with a dear friend. His main job now is as a township trustee, and when I asked why, his answer was simple — “It’s a way to help people.” I was reminded of that today as I watched excerpts from the funeral of President