Point of View

            Happy Labor Day! The origins of the holiday are woven into the union movements of an earlier era. When the holiday was proposed 140 years ago, the majority of Americans were engaged in farming, factories and mining. Today, most are service and knowledge workers using keyboards instead of hammers.

            It’s year-end; the New Year starts next week, on Tuesday. I know: your calendar has you confused. It says that the New Year begins in January; truth-be-told, the day after Labor Day is more of a starting line – for most of us – than the morning after “the

            In the old days – about which I have firsthand experience! – the seasons were in sync with the school calendar. Classes reconvened the day after Labor Day; they ended at/about Flag Day. Summer was the period in-between. Summer was the calendar zone for family vacations and a daytrip

            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