Columns

There was a time when Charles Platkin could turn any day into an excuse for overeating.“When I was fat, I counted up my special days — there were 70 of them,” he told me during a phone interview Wednesday. “At one point,...... Full story

For some reason, winter seems to inspire flights of fancy more often than the other seasons.When a thick layer of ice on the windshield delays our morning commute for a few minutes, some of us playfully curse the name of Jack Frost, winter’s...... Full story

When my friend went for a doctor’s visit several years ago she was told she was experiencing change-of-life symptoms. She told the doctor that she had been through so many changes, one more would hardly matter. The last time I saw her, she was...... Full story

February is Boy Scout Month, and the organization is beginning its second century of guiding youth through the difficult times of adolescence to adulthood.There are many things that have kept Scouting going so successfully over these many years. One...... Full story

Researching a specific past event generally involves piecing together information from a variety of sources. Primary sources include diaries, deeds, court records, birth and death certificates, the manuscript census reports, and other original...... Full story

“I am wondering why PROP or anyone else is going out to look for the homeless, because no one in this town wants a homeless shelter. So I don’t really see what the good is in it, other than to give them a blanket and tell them to leave...... Full story

With his decision to reject the Keystone XL pipeline, President Barack Obama has opened another front in his war on domestic sources of energy.For the first time in more than a decade, the United States has the opportunity to produce more oil at...... Full story

The Swiss yodel all day while they milk cows. The Brazilians are wild crazy party animals who can all dance samba. The Austrians all wear lederhosen every day and the Germans have never been late for anything in their entire lives. Stereotypes can...... Full story

Each week I write about various apps that I have found to improve life, make work more efficient, or add spice and fun. I find the whole concept funny, actually, given that I never dreamed I would spend so much time with my phone in my hand. I have...... Full story

The State of Missouri needs a poet laureate and I was thinking I would be a good fit.So what you’re dreading is all quite too true: I’ve got another cheesy rhyming column for you.You might just think it a terrible trope, but to that I...... Full story

There is a question on the table. And we all need to answer this one. The question is: Do we all envy rich people? Think about it.I have heard this charge leveled at poor people, especially over the last few weeks, and so I’ve been thinking...... Full story

Retirement is something we all seek, but exactly what is it and why do we want it so badly?Perhaps it gives us a destination, a goal to reach. Perhaps it means happiness or relaxation to others. Or perhaps like the proverbial gold watch, it means we...... Full story

While the Internet is a wonderful tool that provides users access to a wealth of material, historians realize that not all information is available online. Most personal documents, such as diaries, have been made available. Many public records have...... Full story

A couple of weeks ago I wrote a column in which I rapidly fired some ideas at the wall with the hope that some of them might stick.Among them was an idea that I’ll admit probably isn’t extremely original — I’m sure that the...... Full story

Missouri has a long history of prohibiting public funds to be used to pay for abortions, unless the abortion is necessary to save the mother’s life. This makes sense regardless of one’s views as to whether abortion should be legal.I am...... Full story