R-T Columns
July 1968 | Mark’s Remarks
No one is for sure if Mark Twain said this or not, but it sounds like him: “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it does rhyme.” In the wake of all…
Read MoreThe Blind Side: Spin-Off 1 | Mark’s Remarks
A while back, I talked about my disdain for the movie the “Blind Side.” This was after Sandra Bullock won an Academy Award for playing the lead character, a real…
Read MoreFaith in Humanity Restored | Planet Ryan
Just when I thought humans on this planet were past the point of redemption, a wonderful story came along that totally changed my outlook in less than five minutes. In…
Read MoreKeeping House | Mark’s Remarks
I have written several times that I am a recovering neatness-nut. It’s a struggle. However, wasted quality time with family and friends over the years simply because I was more…
Read MoreHeadin’ South | Mark’s Remarks
As I write, we have returned from our recent family vacation to the Great Smoky Mountains. I sit in a living room littered with the unpacked cargo we brought in…
Read MoreIt’s terror. Period. | Planet Ryan
Like everyone else Sunday morning, I was shocked and saddened to learn that 49 American citizens were slaughtered and 50-plus more were wounded in Orlando, Fla., while simply trying to…
Read MoreI’ve always wanted to do that | Mark’s Remarks
Our little theater group just wrapped up a production of “Deathtrap” at the great Capitol Theater in Waterloo. It was, I think, the 15th show I’ve been in with Monroe…
Read MoreA Way With Words | Mark’s Remarks
Believe it or not, I took journalism courses and was editor of my high school newspaper. I was blessed to have, for at least a couple of years, the legendary…
Read MoreOne Last Glimpse | Mark’s Remarks
Like most seniors, we had gotten out of school a week before and returned briefly that next week for graduation practice. All of us seemed more relaxed and happy, the…
Read MoreDays of Old | Planet Ryan
Last week was one of those weeks for me that tested my multitasking skills thanks to a long list of work and personal commitments that all sort of ran together…
Read MoreSo Much to Do | Mark’s Remarks
Do you ever start off the week with a seemingly endless list of “to dos”? I’m sure we all have weeks like that. This is one of them. Indeed, as…
Read MoreThe two faces of Facebook | Mark’s Remarks
Here I go again, writing about social media. I am afraid I can’t help but speak my mind about it from time to time. In my opinion, it has become…
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