by Phil Houseal | Dec 14, 2022 | All Articles, Education, Philosophy
Dec 14, 2022–With Christmas a’coming, the good boys and girls are sorting themselves out from the bad boys and girls. The other day, I heard a child ask if he could have a treat because he had been “a good boy.” It hurt my ears. Because throughout my life as a parent...
by Phil Houseal | Dec 7, 2022 | All Articles, Philosophy
Dec 7, 2022–Have you ever slipped on a banana peel? Do you know anyone who has slipped on a banana peel? Have you heard verifiable reports of anyone anywhere who has actually slipped on a banana peel? I’d bet the answer to all three is, “No, and why are you asking...
by Phil Houseal | Nov 30, 2022 | All Articles, Education, Philosophy
Nov 30, 2022–This week I achieved what scientists said can’t be done: I cleaned out three junk drawers. Junk drawers are the black holes of housekeeping. All objects within 50 yards of an empty drawer are inexorably sucked into it, never to emerge. The only...
by Phil Houseal | Nov 23, 2022 | All Articles, Education, Food, History, Philosophy
Nov 23, 2022–As you sit down to your Thanksgiving Day meal, I am confident you will observe the list of manners to be followed “At Table:” Promptness when meals are announced When to sit; position; fidgeting Waiting one’s turn When to begin to eat How to eat and drink...
by Phil Houseal | Nov 16, 2022 | All Articles, History, Philosophy
Nov 16, 2022–I’ve spent a lot of time in public places lately, staring at my feet. You see, social media users are using the phrase “touch grass” as shorthand for “put down the phone and go outside and be in nature.” Yet many campuses, parks, and public places...
by Phil Houseal | Nov 9, 2022 | All Articles, Philosophy
Nov 9, 2022–I seem to be missing the gene that creates the unquenchable desire to own things. This disinterest in amassing material wealth manifests in many areas of my life. Take furniture. If I had not taken a wife, I would still be eating pot pies off a wooden...
