IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury Abilene Christian University’s stunning 53-52 win over the University of Texas at the NCAA Basketball Championship Tournament is a great example of why the annual event is called “March Madness.” It was ACU’s second trip to the “big dance,” and its first win in the biggest basketball upset since David bested Goliath. Abilene radio sportscaster
Read moreIDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury Uncle Mort isn’t his usual self. His 108th birthday is at hand, and he’s hung up on whether to have a “real” party, or join the growing list of folks who are “computer Zooming” to celebrate special occasions. (Printers are shaking their heads, turning out fancy invitations with the word “virtual” in big type.) “Maybe I’d
Read moreIDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury It’s a challenge my 106-year-old Uncle Mort hasn’t faced–not ever–and the same is true for the rest of us. The world teeters on a fulcrum of fear, much of it unknown. Enough is known, though, to shiver the strongest timbers and shake boots previously used for putting “get-along” in little “dogies” (pronounced “dough”’-gees),
Read moreIDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury My Uncle Mort, a dedicated “frog gigger” during most of the 20th century and all the years so far in this one, claims to have made the best possible use of “Indian Summer.” “It was the shortest season ever, limited to a few hours on November 24,” he mused. “I’m glad I didn’t waste it
Read moreIDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury As might be expected, my Uncle Mort thought he had heard every birthday-related joke in the book. At his 107th party a few weeks ago, he got a real birthday surprise. They rolled out three large gifts. When he tore away the wrapping on the first one, there was a birthday cake adorned by
Read moreIDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury That my Uncle Mort is determined to keep his enlightened self-interest inflated to the max is a foregone conclusion. For more than a century, he has claimed much from Independence Day celebrations, since he and Uncle Sam share the same July 4 birthday. Mort, who turned 107 recently, has always chosen red, white
Read moreIDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury Radio listeners heard it from the lips of England’s Prime Minister–the inimitable Winston Churchill. In the 1939 radio broadcast, he said Russia “is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma.” Fast forward 80 years to Uncle Mort’s 107th birthday party on July 4. This old Churchillian quote fits my kin quite well,
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IDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury Uncle Mort, who attains age 107 come July 4, issues requests for “no talking” and “no chore assignments” about this time every year. It’s no bother to Aunt Maude. In fact, she looks forward to the week or two annually when her hubby is in deep thought. She charitably calls such interludes “thought.” Others
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