Wade’s articles and essays
The government of the United States appears irrevocably broken. I’m talking about both parties and all three branches of it. No one in government is exempt because they all had a hand in breaking it. One thing that’s not broken is the country itself, because our country is composed of …
Breaking Bad ends its magnificent run. “Breaking Bad” may be the best drama ever created for television. It is entirely original, brilliantly written and directed, unpredictable, shocking, heart-wrenching, and humorous–sometimes all in a single episode. It also includes some of the finest acting ever seen–on television or off. It is, in …
Steven knew he should not be out at night alone. He had been told repeatedly to stay inside with the doors locked after dark. But when the moonlight beckoned outside his bedroom window, it was more than he could resist. He made his way down the hill behind the house …
Decades of Journals I had a journalism teacher in high school named Jean Williams, who designated me an editor of our high school newspaper. We got along famously, and I continued to visit Ms.Williams for many years after graduation. On one of those visits she advised me to begin keeping …
Ah, the shade garden. Cool, dark and serene. On hot August days nothing beats retreating to the sheltering shade. Whether it’s an old lawn chair under a tree, or a hammock swinging gently under dappled sunlight, escaping the heat and activity of a summer’s day could be just a few …
Okay, I confess. I have been a “to do” list person from way back yonder. I still use them to this day. And the reason I use them is that they work. I’ve gotten them down to a fine art. I prioritize, sort them by daily, weekly, and monthly. I …
Sometimes the unthinkable becomes reality and murder touches our lives. It can hit us so unexpectedly that it’s like a sucker punch knocking us breathless. Such was the case with me in Roanoke, Virginia, in the wee cold hours of January 3, 1986. When the phone rang at 4 a.m. …
In rural Lyon County, Kentucky, there are several springs dear to my heart. A few of them are known to most residents of Lyon County, but some are not. For more photos and story, as well as video.
I spent a summer working in an apple orchard on Bent Mountain, near the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia. It was one of the most memorable times of my life. Read the story and see the photos.
Is it possible for humans to love animals too much? It has been 15 months since I took my Miniature Schnauzer, Katy, to the vet and had her put to sleep. No, not put to sleep. Let’s call it what it is: I had her put to death. It was …
It is tough to be a perfectionist in an imperfect world. Several years ago, when I was a pizza restaurant manager, I had a problem. I wanted everything to be perfect. I wanted the restaurant to be spotless. I wanted the pizzas to be made to spec. I wanted the …
The following list contains the top ten most-often-sold items at my own yard sales over the past several years. This is not a scientific study of yard sale data, but is drawn from meticulous listings I have made over a period of several years. I have listed practically anything imaginable …
This week I had a two-day yard sale that went fairly well, considering the heat index approached 100 on both days. Successful yard sales take a bit of preparation, but can be both fun and profitable. There are no hard and fast rules about having a yard sale, but having …
Since the beginning of the human relations movement the theory that “satisfaction causes performance” has been widely accepted. A more recent theory maintains that “performance causes satisfaction” and has also gained prominence. An even newer theory now insists that satisfaction and performance are not related, but that both satisfaction and …
I had a bad experience recently at a nearby movie theater, the only multiplex in this town. I had waited two full weeks for the crowds to die down so I could catch the newest “Star Trek” film at a late-night showing, where presumably I wouldn’t have to deal with …
I love the Rolling Stones. I’ve seen them perform live three times, and of the many bands I’ve enjoyed, their three concerts ranked first, second, and third in my book. You read a lot lately that this current tour could be their last, and that it will certainly gross hundreds …
