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Tidbits, Odds and Ends

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April 18, 2025

I see by the news that science has actually brought an extinct species back from the dead. A company called Colossal Biosciences claims to have brought the dino wolf back from extinction. The dino wolf, featured in Game of Thrones, became extinct about 13,000 years ago. Now, by using the compiled genetic code for the animal, some DNA, and some grey wolf, they say they’ve brought back the animal from the dead. They call their science “de-extinction” and say it’s a new scientific breakthrough. Not so fast, say other scientists.

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Stepping Over a Line
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April 18, 2025

Just a few days ago, the only knowledge most people had about a dire wolf came from the Game of Thrones series. Until just a few days ago, few people knew the dire wolf actually existed in the past. They have been extinct for at least 10,000 years and possibly longer, though digitally recreated for and popularized in Game of Thrones.

What I’ve Learned From Another Year of Life
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April 17, 2025

It’s hard to believe that today I will celebrate another birthday, if not wanting to admit I’m yet another year older is celebrating. Over the years I’ve heard all the clichés… “You’re not getting older, you’re getting better,” or that really dreaded one, “You’re only as old as you feel.”

Frink: A Tale of Two Teams
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April 11, 2025

’ve been enjoying the silence, to tell you the truth. Baseball season has been underway for several weeks now, and there has been a blessed silence from that place in my mind where the Baseball Curmudgeon, Homer K. Frink, resides. I knew it was too good to last, but I was enjoying riding it out. Now, however, Mr. Frink has clamored for attention, and we all know what is done with people who yell at clouds: give them some attention now and they go away for a while. This column by Mr. Frink may irritate fans of two particular teams. I’m a fan of one of them and it riles the heck out of me.  But as I’ve said before, if you’re offended, simply consider the source. Go ahead, Homer.  The floor is yours.

Did You Know …? When Did Television’s First Fantasy Situation Comedy Air?
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April 10, 2025

So, how did you do on the challenge last week? Your challenge was to find the three items in last week’s column that were totally fake.  Did you find them?  Check your work:

What Happened to the Ghosts of My House?
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April 10, 2025

’m sure everyone has heard of the empty nest syndrome. I guess all parents experience that feeling of sadness when the children leave home. As a parent of two children with ages close together my nest emptied quickly and it was a difficult time for me. You become so involved as a parent taking care of your children you really don’t know what to do when they leave the nest.

Five Years Ago, Our Whole World Turned Upside Down
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April 4, 2025

March of 2020. Spring had sprung and the world was in its annual renewal. Baseball was getting started, making people like me very happy. And then we heard something about … a virus.

Under the Microscope
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April 4, 2025

Judges have been spotlighting the news recently and not for the best of reasons. It has been a personal pleasure over the years to know a few judges and I would define them all as good people. Most of them had one thing in common – they were elected by the voters. Some were initially appointed but had to be elected – or not -- to the position at some point.

April Fool! Three items this week are totally fake; which ones are they?
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April 3, 2025

We are at that very special time of year once again! Yes, it’s April Fool’s Day this week! Regular readers of this silliness know what that means - it’s time to see if you can detect which three of the items in this week’s column are totally made up. No prizes are offered, because I’m a cheap old so-and-so, but if you can tell which ones are fake, you prove that even I can’t fool you. No fair Googling, either.

There Are Rewards to Reporting the News
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April 3, 2025

A few weeks ago I met up with an old high school friend while shopping at the grocery store. We were playing catch up about family, etc. when he shocked me a little and made me realize just why I love what I do to make a living. As the conversation turned to family, I explained I had not see my son’s family in a few years and wanted to do so, but time was an issue.