Well, much to the surprise of all of the little Nutlings in attendance last night, that’s a wrap. For 26 years, my wonderful adopted mom, Donna Schwartz of Port Huron, has hosted the annual barbecue dinner for her self-established Golden Nut Club. Donna began the Golden Nut Club decades ago when she began inviting women,…

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One household, one vote. If some radical, right wing Christian Nationalists had it their way, that would be the law of the land. Right here in 2026, thanks to their roadmap, Project 2025. Not sure what that would mean for single person households, iffen that single person was a woman, but I can only guess:…

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So, I was sitting on the toilet. At 6:30 am this morning. (Now, that’s a vision you can’t get out of your head, isn’t it???) Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a movement on the floor. A mouse. Scurrying, following the wall line. Headed right for the toilet. And me. Internally, I…

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Marriage is hard. At least, my marriage is hard. At least, my marriage is hard for me. My marriage is probably not as hard for my husband because, well, he gets to be married to Moi. (Swoons like Miss Piggy). My marriage is harder for me because, well, I am an introvert who is married…

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Staring. The little girl, all of 11 years old, was absolutely staring at Pamela Wall. I wasn’t sure why until I followed her gaze. It was the necklace. Pam was wearing her necklace with all 10 Bayview Mackinac first place medals on it. “Where did you get all of those?” the girl asked, sounding a…

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So, there’s always a back story, you know? Below is the back story to Sunday’s Set Sail for Autism Race. I was so inspired by Kori Manley, our student sailor: Ya gotta dream of having goals. Ya gotta set goals. Ya gotta put in the work to meet those goals. Port Huron Northern High School…

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Back in 1976, when I was 12 years old, the nation celebrated its 200th anniversary in so many amazing ways. I remember my parents telling me, early in the year, that it would be a “year long party” and that this was a pretty big deal. And it was. Bigger parades. Celebrations in communities across…

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A participation prize??? All I won was a lousy participation prize??? I believe I was the only adult who participated in the July 4 sandcastle building contest on our beach today. For sure, I can tell you I had not built a sandcastle in decades. Many decades. But for about 20 glorious minutes, I played…

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Why is Patti Grumpy and why is she speaking out at public meetings? Check out my latest essay, below: At 62, I have finally – FINALLY – become a loudmouthed badass. And that’s Ms. Badass to you, my friend. In mid-June of this year, I found myself speaking during the public comment section of the…

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This is just a friendly reminder: Just because Pride Month is over, it doesn’t mean we stop celebrating our friends in the LGBTQIA+ community. A few years ago, I met a new business owner who was in the process of opening up shop. As we chatted, in casual conversation, this person said to me something…

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