My Catholic Neighborhood

In last week’s blog, I casually mentioned Friday night fish. Only after I posted the blog did I realize that readers might not know the significance of this ritual in the state of Wisconsin.  My family moved to Green Bay when I was seven years old. We were one of...

A Wisconsin Supper Club

Manyu brought some traditional Chinese medicine back from Taiwan and gave it to a friend of ours. Last week the friend called to invite Manyu and me out for dinner as a way to thank her. The invitation did not surprise me, but his choice of a restaurant did. He...

Type O Blood and Blue Eyes

The mother of Clare’s boyfriend gave Clare an ancestry test kit for Christmas. For someone who does not know my daughter all that well, she picked a good gift. As a mixed race kid, Clare wanted to know the specifics of her bloodlines. Also, since neither Manyu nor I...

Time for Writing

In last week’s blog I discussed my reluctance to leave a good job to make time for writing. I said I was not willing to give it up a regular paycheck. As true as that statement is, there is also a second reason I waited until retirement to make writing a bigger part...

A Second Window

I recently had a drink with an old friend I hadn’t seen for years. He told me that he’d quit his job of twenty years to become a professional gambler. I have always admired people who make major changes in their lives, but a move from government employee to poker...
Steven Simpson