Point of View

            Cheri and I are now in a significant minority group within American culture. Among the things that make us quirky: we’re in our 56th year of marriage. Best estimates – based on census data – say that 6% of marriages make it to the 50-year mark. Death and divorce

          “Americans have no appetite for war.” Used currently to describe the public sentiment about the conflict in the Middle East, that reflection underlies a deep desire to live in peace, on all fronts. What are the chances of that happening?             There are two ongoing wars festering within the American

            For the Jews – about 3330 years ago – God performed a miracle that showed his power and would forever define their family. It was Passover, and Jews mark that divine intervention each year.             For the Shanks – 33 years ago – God performed a miracle that showed

         Hey, it’s just us here in this conversational huddle. About 40 years ago, I was ordained as a minister, so I can claim privilege in a courtroom and avoid disclosing anything we might talk about here. There are probably some things you don’t talk about with

           Home. That word evokes emotion, but – in our modern era – the feelings generated by hearing that four-letter word are not the same for all. When verbalized to some, warm and welcoming vibes come to life immediately; for others, the lid to Pandora’s Box

            Here we are: just a week past an epic milestone for our country. We’ve been continuing this experiment in constitutional democracy for 250 years now; historians would say that only 20-30 countries have ever achieved that birthday. The events surrounding Independence Day this year were somewhat disrupted by weather