If you have a clear, open view to the west, this is a good time to marvel at the wonders of the universe after you finish dinner.

I’m losing my wife to a health guru. Recently, I noticed the signs: the gazing at magazine covers in supermarkets, the little name drops in conversations, the sudden interest in new activities and the change in eating habits.

I’ve joined the texting world, and I’m only five years late.

What do “chutzpah,” “pitted prunes” and “as well as” have in common? They’re among the words and phrases I’ve been asked about within the past few months, and I’m finally getting around to writing about them. And there are more to come.

Every school system is facing uncomfortable cuts. Discussions have involved trimming programs, laying off teachers and even consolidation. But for urban school districts, this economic shortfall is threatening the ultimate collapse of district services. Wednesday night, the Kansas City, Mo., School Board voted 5-4 to close almost half of the district's buildings including schools.

I was surprised to learn that some gun-toting, Second Amendment-loving customers were sitting in Starbucks, sipping green tea. So much for stereotypes.

As in 2002, the current election cycle has featured a steady stream of attack and insinuation from Republicans that Democrats in Congress have been soft on terrorism, despite a pretty solid record so far snagging terrorist suspects both here and abroad.

It’s unusual to be racked with guilt after looking at a cute-pet picture. But it can happen.

The problem isn’t just that we elect bad people. It’s that anyone with enough character to understand how toxic the political environment is has enough character to steer clear.

Lindsay Lohan has finally gotten around to complaining about an ad for the online brokerage famous for its talking baby ads which are designed to demonstrate just how easy it is to use their service. In the latest incarnation of these ads, the baby trader refers to a "milkaholic" baby girl named Lindsay.

Weekly financial Q&A, with items on automatic bill paying, accidental death insurance and emergency funds.

I packed the router in one of the carry-on suitcases and promptly forgot about it until we went through security. As the suitcase passed through the X-ray machine, an alarm went off and one of the security people grabbed the bag off the belt and approached me.            

Dear consumer: Welcome to your new, improved credit card bill. Even though our previous methods may have been designed to wring every possible cent out of our card members, we want to make sure you know that our top priority has always been you, the interest-paying customer.

Sleep deprivation creates a stress response that induces the release of cortisol, which has been found to increase abdominal fat. It also compromises memory (so now you’ve got a lot done, but you can’t remember what you did).

Is it just me, or are other parents out there doing the happy dance 24-7 now that their kids have flown the coop? Don’t misunderstand: I love my kids, and was sad to see them go. But then the minute passed, and I was itching to get on with things.