Shasta County CA

This column is dedicated to my brother-in-law, Keith, who passed on this week. He was, without a doubt, one of the brightest, funniest, and most creative men I’ve ever met. Even though he’s gone, the stories of his exploits will… Continue Reading →

…When we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children, black men and white… Continue Reading →

When I was a kid, mother warned me about strangers. “It’s OK to talk to them so long as I’m around,” she’d say. “But keep your eyes open.” She wasn’t unfriendly, just wary. She erred on the side of caution,… Continue Reading →

  “I’ll have grounds More relative than this—the play’s the thing Wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the King.” Hamlet Saturday I sat outdoors in the dark with hundreds of strangers and watched a 12-year-old boy get his fondest wish.… Continue Reading →

The first Texan I ever met was my mother. Mom grew up in Corpus Christi, married young and then fled the state. In the next 20 years, she and my Dad—a Californian—returned three times to visit her parents. Two of… Continue Reading →

To head forward, sometimes you’ve got to go back. On the road at last. Destination Charleston, South Carolina by way of Houston, New Orleans and Tallahassee. Motoring towards the land of Dixie. I expect to travel 3,200 miles to get… Continue Reading →

If you want to be somebody else, If you’re tired of fighting battles with yourself If you want to be somebody else Change your mind “Change Your Mind” Sister Hazel I’ve just given up a long-held prejudice. For years, when… Continue Reading →

Twice a year, I do something I loathe more than serving jury duty or sitting in the dentist’s chair. I prepare my students’ grades. Evaluations are essential for helping students improve. No problem there, but grades are more—and less—than that.… Continue Reading →