It was a mind-blowing experience, but not in the way you think — Now that I’m retired and possess the wisdom of age, I can look back at my life and marvel at my own stupidity. Case in point: My adventure in Texas. Fresh out of college in the ’80s, I took the only Journalism job I could find — which meant moving…

The horrifying discovery changed America for the better…and proved it’s never too late to make your mark on the world. — In the mid-1940s, a woman named Dr. Ethel Andrus was enjoying a stellar, 40-year career. She was a Ph.D., a celebrated teacher, and the first female urban high school principal in California. But one day, her mother’s health took a turn for the worse, and Ethel walked away from it…

Yeah, we’re loud and proud and hog all the parking spaces at the casino. You got a problem with that? — I admit it: In my 60s, I’m finally a Broad. And I’m damn proud. What’s a Broad? According to the Urban Dictionary, the term emerged sometime in the 1940s, when men first noticed women’s hips were wider than theirs. Not surprisingly, this Alert Observation spawned interest, and the concept of…

While he rarely told his gruesome story, he shared it with me, a college co-ed who resembled his lost love. — After 38 years, why would a Holocaust survivor break his silence? For 77-year old Eric Behr, it was the appearance of a fresh, young face. A face belonging to me. Our paths crossed in the lobby of the Milwaukee YMCA — a hulking, 18-story building, offering single-room housing to an…

Hear the roar of the “Mad Dragon” in Soda Springs, Idaho — Before you pack your bags and head out for Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park, the people of Soda Springs, Idaho, have something to show you: A geyser that rivals Yellowstone’s — without the crowds and hassles. The Soda Springs Geyser is the world’s only captive geyser— shooting water and…

A diligent Catholic schoolgirl tallies her many misdeeds, setting the stage for a wild First Confession — Sorting through a box of old files, I discovered a yellowed piece of paper. The handwriting had faded. But I could make out the title, neatly printed at the top: “My Sins List.” The discovery was a mirror into one of the most important days of my young Catholic life…

You’re now in charge of your life’s most important mission — My friend Laura is miserable. A mid-level executive in her 50s, she loves her work, but hates her job. She can’t wait for the day she can turn in her laptop and get outta Dodge. Ask her what she longs to be done with, and she fires off a list…

An invitation to share my humble pie and my lessons learned — Inspired by intrepid colleagues Brian Feutz [here] and Rodrigo S-C [here], I hereby continue the cycle of self-degradation and personal humilation that results from showcasing one’s own worst-ever stories on Medium. To the handful of readers who’ve accidentally stumbled upon my writing, I sincerely apologize. …

Resolve now to make a fresh start and crush your writing goals in the new year — Like many writers, I’ve found that maintaining success on Medium is a challenge. While the Medium platform is simple and elegant, consistently unleashing its power is anything but. That’s why my resolutions this year aim to “up my game” on Medium. After picking the brains of my Medium colleagues, I…