Out and About Blog by Norm Stutesman

Whether we want to admit it or not, we all have at least one hero. Someone that we admire, respect, and hold a little higher than other people we know. I heard a Medal of Honor recipient say that there are people who regard him as a hero because of the act that made it possible for him to receive …

Welcome to 2016, the start of a new year and an opportunity to start everything out fresh. Let’s try to leave the negative things from last year in the history books and keep a positive attitude to what lies ahead of us. We ended 2015 with a reminder that we are now in the winter season. Gone for a few …

This will be my final column for 2015. I’m taking the rest of the year off and getting some much-needed rest. My next column will be on Tuesday, January 5, 2016. I’m hoping that everyone had a joyous and memorable Christmas, and that you all received the gifts you asked Santa for. My Christmas was fantastic, but there still isn’t …

This is a busy week for everyone. Last-minute shoppers have about two days to get those gifts purchased. Not a good time for people with short tempers to do any shopping whatsoever. If you are one of those last-minute shoppers, please have patience with the sales associates who will wait on you. They have been putting in some long hours …

There was a time in my life when I had some real issues. They troubled me so much, that I decided to seek out a psychologist. I wasn’t on the verge of going crazy, but I just needed to talk to someone I didn’t know, with hopes of getting some much needed advice. The sessions worked, and I feel much …

Monday was December 7, 2015. Seventy-four years ago, Pearl Harbor was viciously attacked. This event launched us into World War II. Last summer we visited the memorial at Pearl Harbor. A most humbling experience and one I’ll never forget. A lot has happened over the last seventy-four years. Hopefully we’ve learned a lot about how to get along better with …

By now, everyone probably has had their fill of turkey sandwiches along with all the other goodies that go along with Thanksgiving. If you did any traveling over the holiday, you should be home safe and sound. We always dine out for Thanksgiving, so we don’t have the privilege of going to the refrigerator and preparing a leftover meal. We …

I am thankful every day for many things, but this week we have set aside a special day when all of us should spend time reflecting on our many blessings. Let this Thursday be a special day for us all to be especially thankful for all that we have. I thank those few stores that will be closed on Thursday …

Once a year we take a ride over to Ann Arbor for my annual appointment with a neurosurgeon. The doctor, along with another neurosurgeon, spends time discussing the MRI CD that I took along. I have a small tumor on my pituitary gland, and with the prescribed medication, the tumor is shrinking. This is what the two doctors and I …

What’s in a name? Are you happy with your last name, or do you wish you could change it for some reason? My last name is one of those you have to spell out, if you’re speaking to someone on the phone. I don’t know if it’s because of the “tes” or what. Maybe it’s because there are two “Ts” …