Why You Should Vote We've received numerous telephone calls lately from people asking why they should vote in the 2008 Presidential Preference election. They say their vote won't count. ...more

January 17, 2008

About half of all Americans make New Year's resolutions. Some vow to use their gym membership or cut back their cookie intake. A lot promise to whip their finances into shape by paying down credit-card debt or increasing their savings contributions. ...more

January 6, 2008

Reflecting on the old and making plans for the new. That's how we spent the last week of 2007. Not a bad thing — perhaps. We actually took the entire week off. After celebrating Christmas with a number of our children, we parked ourselves on Fort Myers Beach for the week. Alternating with hours of sheer relaxation just gazing at a clear blue sky, we read two books, shared our thoughts and dreams with each other, and listed our goals for the New Year. Although neither one of us is big on making New Year's resolutions, what we did last week felt good. In fact, we're seriously considering taking off the last week of every year. ...more

January 4, 2008

SEBRING — Charles P. Cooper already made up his resolution for 2008, and it seemed pretty routine as far as resolutions go. "I only put in my mouth what my wife says I can," the "semi-retired" 67-year-old auto transmission shop owner promised himself. What led to that resolution was not a weight problem or even just the diabetes he was diagnosed with earlier this year. After the cascade of unexpected health problems he had since July, Cooper said his wife was just happy to have him around for Christmas. It went downhill since July, when he said he was diagnosed with diabetes and high cholesterol in one doctor's visit while getting blood work for his angina. In September, doctors determined he needed a quadruple bypass surgery, and that wasn't the end of it. ...more

December 31, 2007

Every year, Pyro, my canary, re-invents himself. Except for the timing, he is a lot like those of us who make dramatic New Year's resolutions. "I will lose 20 pounds." "I will be kind to everyone." "I will learn salsa dancing." But Pyro actually goes through with his transformation. ...more

December 17, 2007