Tom Purcell

09/13/2022

“No problem.” That is how I used to reply to people who thanked me for holding the door open for them or for offering some ... Read More

Health care confusion

09/05/2022

I’m confused. I got the flu a few months ago, the worst flu I’d ever had. It wasn’t COVID — I have never tested positive ... Read More

The elephant in the college classroom

08/29/2022

“Half of that goes to the bank for your college fund!” That’s what my father told me in the 8th grade, when I got my ... Read More

When it comes to boys, schools are flunking

08/22/2022

I trekked to St. Germaine School every morning in my sturdy Buster Brown shoes. Designed for rough-and-tumble boys, these heavy-duty shoes could take a scuffing ... Read More

End-of-life challenges in modern times

08/15/2022

A long time ago I watched a documentary about poet Emily Dickenson’s life and writings. One thing that I never forgot about that film is ... Read More

On Winning the Lottery

08/09/2022

I bought my first lottery ticket recently. It was a $20 scratch-off that paid me a $40 prize. Winning produced a nice little thrill, so ... Read More

The keys to living well

08/01/2022

Comedian Carl Reiner was good at living well — and he lived well until the age of 98. I recently watched his 2017 HBO documentary, ... Read More

The value of overbearing fathers

07/25/2022

My father is turning 89 this week and he’s getting especially sentimental of late. The other day, from his hospital bed, he said he hoped ... Read More

Teens not working doesn’t work for America 

07/19/2022