In his 1978 parenting book, “The Strong-Willed Child,” James Dobson says disobedient childen, like dogs, must be spanked into submission to parents and God. Read more.
DON'T MISS!
I've written hundreds and hundreds of posts over the years. To help you find your way to the best of the best, I've tagged my favorites "Don't Miss!" Scroll down here to find them.
Another way to locate Riffs on Life that you might enjoy is to click above on your favorite category – "My Ever-Changing Family," perhaps, or "Funny Button." You can also use the search box located way up top to hunt for stories by topic. There's fun reading at "garden," "aging," "kids" and, of course, "Jon."
Where Author Richard Rodriguez Sees the Face of God
When asked why he believed in God, Richard Rodriguez, author of Darling: A Spiritual Autobiography, answered the question with a story about Mother Teresa. Read more.
Dale Chihuly’s Glass: Fine Art? Kitsch? Or Both?
I can’t make up my mind about Dale Chihuly. He’s a glassblower, which makes him a craftsman. But is he also an artist? He’s prolific and his work is popular; does that mean he’s pandering to a mass audience? Is his work fine art—or shameless kitsch? Read more.
Journalists Killed in the Line of Duty: Foley, Sotloff Joined by Dozens Each Year
James Foley and Steven Sotloff are just two of the 50 journalists killed world-wide in the line of duty so far this year. Read more.
A Footwear Meditation–Chic Feet and Stylish Legs on the Go at SFO
A parade of fashionable traveling feet transformed itself into a meditation on the passage of time as I waited for a flight out of SFO last month. Read more.
Tudor Bungalows in the Twin Cities—Little Houses With a Big Sense of Humor
Can a house have a sense of humor? I never gave it thought until I visited Minneapolis and was treated to street after street of droll Tudor bungalows. Read more.
Point-and-Shoot Heaven: Photographing a Flower Garden Just Before Dusk
A little rain, a little dirt, a little sun, some red wiggler worms, and a few kitchen scraps and you’ve got yourself a flower garden. My Minnesota gardener friend makes it look that easy. Read more and see some photos.