618creative

Wash Day | Mark’s Remarks

One thing I think about, especially on early summer mornings, is wash day at my grandma’s house.  It was always on Monday, and there was a system she had. If…

Grandma Vallette on the Internet | Mark’s Remarks

Laura Williams Vallette was born in Dearborn County, Indiana in 1828.   Andrew Jackson won the presidency that year, defeating John Quincy Adams. Indiana had been a state for about…

Graham A. Colditz, MD, Deputy Director, Institute for Public Health, is photographed at FLTC on March 15, 2022. MATT MILLER/WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

Healthy ways to stay hydrated this summer | For Your Health

By Graham Colditz Siteman Cancer Center Summer can be a thirsty time, and a cold drink on a hot day is one of the real pleasures of the season. When…

bill ott

My favorite Republicans | Ott Observations

I have been writing recently about how the current Republican party has become unhinged from any foundational principles and logic. Although I often disagree with politically conservative perspectives, I have…

White noise | Mark’s Remarks

I’m pretty late to the game on a lot of stuff.   I had heard people talking about noise machines and how they used “white noise” while they worked or…

Moving back home | Mark’s Remarks

While I was in college, I lived in my own apartment.  By the time I got to college, I had already been to junior college for a couple of years…

asteroid city FEAT

‘Asteroid City’ | Movie Review

Having seen five Wes Anderson films in the past 10 years, I can tell you I continue to hope, each time, that I will figure it all out.  I sit…

bill ott

Let’s play ’20 Questions’ | Ott Observations

Many of us are familiar with a game called “20 Questions.”  The object is to be able to guess a specific person, object or place by asking questions to eliminate…

The benefits of shutting up | Mark’s Remarks

Back in school, there were very few days that I didn’t get in trouble for talking too much. I’m pretty sure my teachers mentioned that I visited too much in…

Cheese! | Mark’s Remarks

I think we put enormous pressure on ourselves as parents. Would you agree?   I blame Facebook. I blame society.  I blame misguided priorities. Somewhere along the line, people started…