Out and About Blog by Norm Stutesman

The column this week will not contain advice, helpful hints or personal opinions. Instead, I have decided to include things that might bring a chuckle or two. I have a collection of witty sayings and quotes, and I feel it’s time to clear some of my research folders. Church bulletins are great for passing on announcements of coming events. Here …

For all procrastinators out there, one week from today is Christmas. You have only seven days to get those gifts of love purchased. By now, all the parcels that you wanted to send via US Mail should already be on their way. You may still, of course, take your items to the post office and they will do what they …

Perhaps it’s just me, but this year has really flown by. There are only a little over two weeks left before we welcome in 2019. It’s not too early to start gathering your receipts and totaling up your expenses for 2018. By the way, two weeks from today is Christmas. No worries. I still have 13 days before I need …

The regular college football season is pretty much finished except for the bowl games. The pro teams still have some games to play, which is fine with me. I don’t know if anyone else is puzzled with the different jerseys some of the teams are wearing, but I can’t help but wonder where they come up with some of the …

I am very happy with my little office. It’s always been sort of a sanctuary where I can hang out, think, dream, write and on occasion, enjoy a power nap. The office has a great view of the Rocky River as I look out the north window. By looking out the west window, I can keep tabs on the ambulances …

Thanksgiving is this Thursday. It is a legal holiday so there won’t be any mail delivery and the banks won’t be open. Also, there will not be any trash pick up. If your garbage is normally picked up on Thursday, it will be taken care of on Friday. Friday’s garbage will be picked up on Saturday. There will be football …

My father reminded me more than once that if you don’t learn something new every day, you’ve missed out on a learning experience. I’m not sure if I accomplish this, but at least once a week, I learn a new word. The word this week is “Aphorism”. Aphorism is a statement of truth or opinion expressed in a concise and …

Many years ago, I was lucky to have a dog that could actually talk. We spent a lot of time together walking and playing in the neighborhood park or in our own backyard. One autumn evening, we sat on the back deck enjoying the setting sun. Rufus, my dog, said that he had something to say and asked that I …

Unless you’ve been hiding out in a cave somewhere, you’re aware that tomorrow is Halloween. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and we won’t be having any rain or thunderstorms. By now everyone should have a costume ready along with a large shopping bag for all those sweet treats. This is all you need to go trick-or-treating. Most kids will dress …

Dining out, especially for breakfast, continues to give me material for this column. I especially enjoy having breakfast at a small quaint cafe where they usually have regular diners who gather there every morning to discuss the world’s problems. Some of these eateries have unique little signs placed on the wall with hopes that the customers get a chuckle or …