Columns

It was the use of the phrase "party circuit" that finally put me over the edge. The phrase was used in conjunction with the word "birthday" as in, "Are you doing the birthday party circuit?" The term used to explain that any self-respecting modern child must first have their "actual birthday day party" with cake and presents from immediate family followed by their "class party" whereby they take treats into class.

"Take nine eggs, one-half pound of butter or a tea cup of olive oil, three cold cooked chickens or one medium-sized turkey, two or three bunches of celery .

The folly of youth is best demonstrated in all the instances when wise and well-meaning adults counseled me to "enjoy life, it goes so fast!" I, with the boundless wisdom of a teenage know-it-all, responded to this insight with a well-practiced eye roll and scoffing disdain.

Camping experiences can range from lighthearted kids' summer camp like scout camp or church camp to the toughest, most dismal prospects of military camp.

If you were to interview yourself, then write a story based on the interview, it's a safe bet the story might be more self-serving than, say, what your neighbor or mother-in-law might write about you.

Part II Though my father never knew his great-grandfather Samuel Young, he was fortunate to spend a great deal of time with his own grandfather, Samuel's son.

Did you know that if you rearrange the letters in the word "dormitory," you can also spell "dirty room"? Or the letters in "slot machines" also spell "cash lost in 'em"? It's all about perspective.

Well, the bad news is that I can now officially call Mr. Wonderful "my old man." The good news is that I'd rather be poked with a hot stick than do so.

This is the time of year there never seems to be enough hours in the day to get all the work on a dairy farm accomplished.

Dryness leads to poisonous grazing With dry weather in many parts of the area, the potential for animals to eat toxic plants increases, mostly because they're hungry and not much forage is available for grazing.