Springtime Public Service Announcements
May 5, 2023
A few tips on how to enjoy spring without freezing, eating far away food, or getting hit by a lovesick teenager. … More Springtime Public Service Announcements
Category: Humor
Sharing is Caring
April 28, 2023
Dear, Readers, I’m speaking for all Wise & Shine writers when I say that we so appreciate your continued support of this blog. To show how thankful we are, we want to ask you to share a link to your blog or site in the “thoughts” or comments section at the bottom of this page. … More Sharing is Caring
It’s Been Pouring
April 12, 2023
Most of us are familiar with the old saying, “When it rains, it pours.” I’ve been thinking a lot about that adage recently because there’s been quite a lot of pouring rain in my life over the past few months. A few weeks ago, I wrote about needing to take a leave of absence from … More It’s Been Pouring
Old Man Rants: Checks, Drug & Rock n Roll
March 31, 2023
Once I turned 50, I started venting my frustration at the irritations of life. It felt good, so I kept doing it. I call these periodic and hopefully humorous verbal tantrums Old Man Rants. … More Old Man Rants: Checks, Drug & Rock n Roll
Want to Write for Wise & Shine?
March 19, 2023
Hi, all. Wise & Shine is looking for a few new writers. If you’d like to apply to join the team, send samples of your writing via our “Contact” form. Please familiarize yourself with the sort of things our blog publishes before contacting us. We’ll send a set of writing guidelines to those who send … More Want to Write for Wise & Shine?
Tips on Love
February 15, 2023
I think every one of my dad’s sermons that I’ve heard or read opened with a bit of humor or personal story. It was his way of connecting – enticing the audience to want to listen and maybe even exhale a bit so they could take something deeper in. My dad was a Presbyterian pastor … More Tips on Love
Your Wise and Shine February Horoscope
February 5, 2023
Aries – You’ve always loathed slasher films like Friday the 13th because you feel they are, “utterly implausible.” That won’t be a critique you’ll ever level again by month’s end. Taurus – The stars don’t wish to squelch your creative spirit, but at the same time, they’re urging you to reconsider your choice to quit … More Your Wise and Shine February Horoscope
Question of the Day (Inspired by the Red-headed Stranger)
January 5, 2023
I’m currently reading The Tao of Willie: A Guide to the Happiness in Your Heart, with “Willie” being the great Willie Nelson, musician and songwriter extraordinaire. As you might guess from the title, the book, coauthored by Nelson and Turk Pipkin, elucidates the singer’s philosophy of life, which was strongly influenced by Buddhist and Taoist … More Question of the Day (Inspired by the Red-headed Stranger)
Wise & Shine Podcasts in 2023
January 3, 2023
In October of last year, Wise & Shine started a podcast. In the weeks ahead, we’ll be recording new episodes for your listening pleasure. Tuesday will be the day we publish new podcasts to the site. If you haven’t already done so, please have a listen to our recordings from 2022. We are interested in hearing … More Wise & Shine Podcasts in 2023
My Top 3 Christmas Parody Songs
December 23, 2022
At this point in the season, Even though the big day is right around the corner, you may be a little “Christmassed-out” and therefore willing to entertain some of this nonsense with me- at least I’m hoping so. … More My Top 3 Christmas Parody Songs
Max Dodo
December 8, 2022
The tutors who work at the Palo Alto College Writing Assistance Center are mostly in their late twenties and early thirties which means they’re young and energetic. Because they haven’t clocked many years on this planet, they’re not yet tired or jaded. This is likely the reason they’re so incredibly gung-ho about everything. So, when … More Max Dodo
Your Wise and Shine Horoscope
December 7, 2022
I’ll admit it: I’m generally very skeptical about Astrology. But these are so dead on they gave me chills. See for yourself: Aries – Zoran, Fifth Lord of the Legions of Vengeance, has decreed the time to exact retribution for your betrayal of the sacred blood oath is nigh, so today’s not a day to … More Your Wise and Shine Horoscope
Old Man Rant Episode #12: Public Behavior
November 28, 2022
Well America, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but either our parents did a shitty job of raising us, or we forgot the lessons they taught. So please note the following public behavior fouls, and make our parents proud by not committing them ever again. … More Old Man Rant Episode #12: Public Behavior
That’s Punny!
November 17, 2022
I’m pretty upset with myself. I grew up in the Austin area (and yet!) I never once heard of El Arroyo restaurant, not until a few days ago. Since the 1980s, besides serving fine Tex-Mex cuisine to countless customers, the eatery has been posting imaginably funny and clever signs in its parking lot. In fact, … More That’s Punny!
David’s “Walking Lunches”
November 10, 2022
I want to tell you about a fellow named David, a retired educator and part-time tutor of mathematics who works in the Math Learning Center, a place just down the hall from the Writing Assistance Center, the place I manage and often mention in blogs I write for Wise & Shine. David is one of … More David’s “Walking Lunches”
Marry Me? No? How About Now?
November 4, 2022
I threw the note inside the front door, closed it behind me and headed to the car. I really want to tell them in person but their facial expressions would’ve given away the secret without a word. I was going to ask their granddaughter to marry me that day, once we got to the beach. … More Marry Me? No? How About Now?
The Wise & Shine Podcast: Coming Attractions
October 28, 2022
If you’re a regular reader, you know I’ve been posting recently about the new Wise & Shine podcast. We’ve published four episodes, and I’m working hard to plan and record others. Our goal is to begin posting a new episode each Tuesday. I’d like to preview a few upcoming episodes. This weekend, I’ll be talking … More The Wise & Shine Podcast: Coming Attractions
Autumnal Thoughts About Fall As Autumn Nears
October 1, 2022
As the leaves start to turn, like so many stomachs at the sight of a MAGA hat, one becomes reflective. I’m the one, by the way. I’m not saying I’m Number One or anything, it isn’t an ego thing. I just thought it would sound classier. But reading back over it, it feels maybe a … More Autumnal Thoughts About Fall As Autumn Nears
Old Man Rant Episode #9: Words, Words Words!
September 30, 2022
A verbal tantrum on our irritating misuse of words. … More Old Man Rant Episode #9: Words, Words Words!
Snappy Comebacks I’ve Written For You
September 26, 2022
Looking to verbally best an adversary? Look no further. Here’s all you need to be best at being a bester. … More Snappy Comebacks I’ve Written For You