By Stephen Buller The initiative to reject Washington’s “millionaire’s” tax was shot down in spectacular fashion, and it looks like high-income Washingtonians will be filing a state income tax return starting in 2028. If you think it won’t affect you in any way, I hope this article will give some perspective on how taxes usually…
By Mike Ivaska As I sit and write, my family and I prepare to go to the hospital. It will just be a preparatory appointment (which, by the time you read this, will have been a few weeks ago). But the timing is imperfect. Our daughter needs a corrective procedure to fix something in her…
An Update on Marj Watkins By Suzanna Leigh “Swing low, sweet chariot, comin’ for to carry me home …” Erin’s voice touches my heart like holy water, as we sing with Mom. Mom’s voice is barely above a whisper, but she is singing! Later, Mom hums some of the tune, or a bar or two…
(My Father Climbs the Stairs) By Richard Odell My father never climbed the stairs to the children’s rooms (my mother, well, she was up there quite a bit, usually when no one else was around). So the sole instance of my father suddenly appearing in the bedroom, with my brother and myself present, his arms…
By March Twisdale Our world is caught up in several types of conflict. The future feels very uncertain. And many of us are actively concerned. Overwhelmed, even. This is the “fear” part of the storm. And, we are correct. It is reasonable to assess the current circumstance as dangerous. But, the threats are being obfuscated….
By Mike Ivaska Last week I was diagnosed with high blood pressure. This is due, in part I’m sure, to the stresses of life. It also likely stems from genetics. It also doesn’t help, I imagine, that I’m a middle-aged fat guy who likes Doritos. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about being middle-aged. The…
Illustration by Cynthia Sadurni By Cynthia Sadurni What comes to mind when we encounter the image of a panther, be it a leopard or jaguar? We feel awe, admiration, or maybe wonderment. We may think it majestic, mysterious, strong. So, I wonder, why should our feelings be different when we encounter a black cat? Is…
By Rich Osborne Like every other Islander, I have endured the Judd Creek bridge closure. And yes, it added five minutes and 20 seconds to my commute. Every time. But I noticed something. Somehow, it increased my toleration of other drivers. I found myself channeling Bobby McFerrin. “Don’t worry, be happy.” My friend John said,…
By Gates (Pam) Johnson Now that I’m feeling better and have my health stuff semi-under control, it’s time for me to get back to a project that has been on the shelf for a few, make that several, years. I am writing a cookbook. One would think that a vanity project like this could be…
By Donna (Rocky) Liberty Recently, a friend and I saw each other uptown and stopped to have a conversation. She asked me, “You know you’re missing an earring, right?” Oh, dear! I did NOT know. One of my favorite pairs of earrings, and one of them missing! Yikes! Quickly, I retraced my steps through the…