Quirky Corner of Common Sense

Is anyone else disturbed by everything they're seeing and hearing on the news? Does anyone else feel the down-hill slide of this nation? I don't mean just economically, but in terms of responsibility and accountability. I remember, growing up, when I made a mistake or did something wrong, I was taught to apologize and accept the consequences. I didn't have the option to sue someone else - even when it was their fault. Thankfully, my parents taught me to apologize when I was wrong, and to accept an apology when someone else gave me one. They showed me how to live an ethical and focused life, where I censored most of my behavior to not interefer with others' lives. I was brought up in a loving and supportive home (thankfully), and I am proud that I am accountable for my decisions and behavior. So... what about the people we see and hear about in America who are NOT accountable for their decisions and behavior? It's like a free market for blame and accusation a...

As I look back on my almost-30 years of Christmases, I have started to realize that things change as we age. Why that is, I'm not completely certain; however, I thought you might have some ideas to share with me (and our readers)... As a child, my brother and I 'caught Santa' every year. Seriously! Mom and Dad would wake us (after jingling a few bells and tapping on the hallway walls to imitate reindeer landing on our roof). We'd sneak downstairs to the living room and see Santa sleeping on our couch. He'd already eaten at least one cookie that we left next to the fireplace, and he had two gifts ready to give one to each of us to open early. It was a fantastic and fun tradition that I am so grateful my parents coordinated annually for Scott A and me. Although, it was a little odd to run into 'Santa' 20 years later and not know who he really was... hmmm... Then, in high school, we would still exchange just one gift on Christmas Eve. We would also go to our ch...