I saddled two unpleasant tasks—doing our taxes and cleaning up the study—together today. When I got sick of the taxes, I’d work on throwing stuff away and/or organizing. When I got sick of throwing stuff away and/or organizing, I’d work on the taxes. It worked well. Got us e-filed, and the study looks habitable again. … Read more
I am not upset about the federal government shutdown, which, as I type, looks inevitable. However, I do hope it is long enough to generate understanding in some of the depressingly large number of people who still don’t get the sorry shape we’re in. I hope it is short enough to keep hardship manageable for … Read more
Constantine “Gus” Koutroulakis, owner and operator of Pete’s Famous Hot Dogs on 2nd Avenue in Birmingham since 1948, died this morning at his home. He was 81. As a boy, I remember very well going with my dad to Birmingham on car-related business—auctions, shows, swapping vehicles with his friend Jay, or whatever—and frequently a trip … Read more