The Cleveland Daily Banner

Life is calming in a world of fifty shades of black and gray

My husband, Peter, is a man of few colors — black and gray, to be exact. He has always been this way, as far as I know. Peter is not opposed to color, but I think it makes him a little … more

CARRIE CLASSON | 12/4/21

The fork in the road arrives; now's the time to take it

Unlike crooning legend Frank Sinatra, I can’t claim to have lived a life of doing everything my way, but — just like the songster — although I do have a few regrets, they … more

RICK NORTON | 12/4/21

What are you thinking those times when staring into space?

The sun shining through the front door of Kim’s studio on a crisp fall day over the weekend invited me to come bask in its warmth.After I had stood there staring into space for a couple of minutes, … more

BARRY CURRIN | 12/3/21

Even good habits can sometimes go awry

I am a person of generally good habits, which is why it is puzzling when I acquire a bad one. Habits are probably the most important thing when it comes to having a happy life. I eat things that … more

CARRIE CLASSON | 12/1/21

Christmas season brings out the scammers

'Tis the season for scams. Every year scammers get more and more creative in their attempt to pry into our pocketbooks and steal hard-earned money. Maybe you’ve received a call … more

D. GARY DAVIS | 12/1/21

Dozens of cousins and our lives together

“We are cleaning up our stuff,” Meshach, the tile layer who now more or less permanently resides in our home, informed me. “We are giving you more space.”“More space!” I said in mock … more

CARRIE CLASSON | 11/27/21

Reflecting on the unseen message of an unexpected call

Apparently surprised, alarmed or perhaps elated — I couldn’t really tell which on the phone — over the news of my pending retirement, a caller a few weeks ago asked if I … more

RICK NORTON | 11/27/21

Some call it Cow Patty Croquet; then again, others just call it golf

Golf is known for being the “Gentleman’s Game.” I have heard it called “Cow Patty Croquet” and I think that is a great name.Over the years when I mentioned the game to people in … more

GARY MATHENY | 11/27/21

What better time to be thankful?

I find this quote by the 19th century French critic, journalist and novelist fitting in the wake of Thanksgiving 2021. It echoes the same message as my favorite saying, “My glass is … more

JACK McNEELY | 11/27/21

Thanksgiving thoughts from the past six years

I really wanted to have some downtime this week, so I planned to send a rerun column.I started looking through old Thanksgiving efforts to find one appropriate to send, and I decided to do something … more

BARRY CURRIN | 11/26/21

What Thanksgiving looks like this year

My mother sent a photo of a huge female turkey sitting on her bird feeder. The giant, ungainly creature looked ridiculous, perched on the little wooden roof of a feeder intended for chickadees … more

CARRIE CLASSON | 11/24/21

Showing thanks for everyone and everything

The Thanksgiving holiday season is upon us. By the end of the week many will be wrapped up in Black Friday sales and planning for Christmas. Before all of that I would like to pause for a … more

D. GARY DAVIS | 11/24/21

First phase of Candies Creek Greenway to include the historic Dobbs Ford bridge

Before the end of this month, the centerpiece of the first phase of the Candies Creek Greenway (CCG) will be completed with the renovation of the historic Dobbs Ford bridge. The 1.1 miles of Phase 1 … more

CAMERON FISHER | 11/20/21

In a season of Thanksgiving, my thanks to journalism

Maybe it’s the Thanksgiving season or maybe it’s a realization the end is coming sooner rather than later; regardless of the why, I wouldn’t trade these last 44½ … more

RICK NORTON | 11/20/21

Resisting the gloom of all the holiday-season rumors

I have been studying up on frightening holiday rumors and found some surprises. There is apparently no evidence that any child has ever been poisoned by a Halloween treat. This is according … more

CARRIE CLASSON | 11/20/21

Let me show you how to survive 'Squid Game'

I couldn’t tell for sure, but the waiting area looked empty as I approached.It was all I could do not to break into a jog when I got closer and still only saw empty chairs.The place was open. The … more

BARRY CURRIN | 11/19/21

Ginger cookies bring calm to weary souls

We were supposed to get the tile backsplash installed in our kitchen yesterday, but my husband, Peter, said he needed to use the kitchen so he could bake ginger cookies. “Can you work … more

CARRIE CLASSON | 11/17/21

Thankful for our community's harvest

Autumn. The time of year that is best described as wonderful. The air has a crispness quality and the oppressive heat of the summer gives way to the cooler mornings and the afternoons that have … more

D. GARY DAVIS | 11/17/21

Finally getting to ride together again as a family on bicycles

My husband, Peter, and I are at my parents’ cabin in the woods. The weather was perfect for a bike ride so we took a long one. We had not all been riding together in almost two years and I am not … more

CARRIE CLASSON | 11/13/21

Green onions, a littered ditch and the unending chore

Ever have one of those lives when every chore grows and each project you start exposes another problem whose solution leads to another chore? That’s been the story of my … more

RICK NORTON | 11/13/21