Unique opinions and observations from columnist Brad Flory of the Jackson Citizen Patriot.noemail@noemail.org (Brad Flory | brad@lifeinplaid.com)Tue, 7 Aug 2018 19:05:05 GMTMovable Type Enterprise 4.29-advance http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/http://blog.mlive.com/bradosphere/en-usnoUnique opinions and observations from columnist Brad Flory of the Jackson Citizen Patriot.noemail@noemail.orghttp://www.mlive.com/opinion/jackson/index.ssf/2015/02/brad_flory_column_its_been_gre.htmltag:Bradospherenoemail@noemail.org (Brad Flory | brad@lifeinplaid.com)Fri, 27 Feb 2015 13:31:00 GMTtag:www.mlive.com,2015:/opinion/jackson/index.ssf/4596.15330088Three decades is a long time, and it's long enough.This is my 1,910th and final column for the Citizen Patriot, by my choice. noThree decades is a long time, and it's long enough.This is my 1,910th and final column for the Citizen Patriot, by my choice.noemail@noemail.org (Brad Flory | brad@lifeinplaid.com)Three decades is a long time, and it's long enough.This is my 1,910th and final column for the Citizen Patriot, by my choice.tag:Bradospherehttp://www.mlive.com/opinion/jackson/index.ssf/2015/02/brad_flory_column_did_i_really.htmltag:Bradospherenoemail@noemail.org (Brad Flory | brad@lifeinplaid.com)Wed, 25 Feb 2015 17:07:17 GMTtag:www.mlive.com,2015:/opinion/jackson/index.ssf/4596.15311970What do I call Detroit? The Moder Ciddy. What's that thing hanging over the bathroom sink that shows my reflection? A meer. Which nearby state elects wrestlers and comedians to high public office? Minnuhsoda.noWhat do I call Detroit? The Moder Ciddy. What's that thing hanging over the bathroom sink that shows my reflection? A meer. Which nearby state elects wrestlers and comedians to high public office? Minnuhsoda.noemail@noemail.org (Brad Flory | brad@lifeinplaid.com)What do I call Detroit? The Moder Ciddy. What's that thing hanging over the bathroom sink that shows my reflection? A meer. Which nearby state elects wrestlers and comedians to high public office? Minnuhsoda.tag:Bradospherehttp://www.mlive.com/opinion/jackson/index.ssf/2015/02/brad_flory_column_when_the_sme.htmltag:Bradospherenoemail@noemail.org (Brad Flory | brad@lifeinplaid.com)Mon, 23 Feb 2015 19:05:00 GMTtag:www.mlive.com,2015:/opinion/jackson/index.ssf/4596.15292645Over seven Fridays during Lent, the Polish Falcons in Jackson will cook more than one ton of fish, four ounces at a time. The fish-frying tradition has gone on so long that no one seems to remember exactly when it began.noOver seven Fridays during Lent, the Polish Falcons in Jackson will cook more than one ton of fish, four ounces at a time. The fish-frying tradition has gone on so long that no one seems to remember exactly when it began.noemail@noemail.org (Brad Flory | brad@lifeinplaid.com)Over seven Fridays during Lent, the Polish Falcons in Jackson will cook more than one ton of fish, four ounces at a time. The fish-frying tradition has gone on so long that no one seems to remember exactly when it began.tag:Bradospherehttp://www.mlive.com/opinion/jackson/index.ssf/2015/02/brad_flory_column_a_regular_sl.htmltag:Bradospherenoemail@noemail.org (Brad Flory | brad@lifeinplaid.com)Sat, 21 Feb 2015 12:00:00 GMTtag:www.mlive.com,2015:/opinion/jackson/index.ssf/4596.15268227Based on my scores, I would give the Oscar to "Selma" or "The Imitation Game." That means neither film has any chance to win, because movie people hate agreeing with regular-slob tastes.noBased on my scores, I would give the Oscar to "Selma" or "The Imitation Game." That means neither film has any chance to win, because movie people hate agreeing with regular-slob tastes.noemail@noemail.org (Brad Flory | brad@lifeinplaid.com)Based on my scores, I would give the Oscar to "Selma" or "The Imitation Game." That means neither film has any chance to win, because movie people hate agreeing with regular-slob tastes.tag:Bradospherehttp://www.mlive.com/opinion/jackson/index.ssf/2015/02/brad_flory_column_who_is_the_i.htmltag:Bradospherenoemail@noemail.org (Brad Flory | brad@lifeinplaid.com)Wed, 18 Feb 2015 16:40:08 GMTtag:www.mlive.com,2015:/opinion/jackson/index.ssf/4596.15246892Talk cannot lead to action at the Hotel Hayes unless developers think they will make money, and that would mean one of two things has changed in Jackson since 2004.noTalk cannot lead to action at the Hotel Hayes unless developers think they will make money, and that would mean one of two things has changed in Jackson since 2004.noemail@noemail.org (Brad Flory | brad@lifeinplaid.com)Talk cannot lead to action at the Hotel Hayes unless developers think they will make money, and that would mean one of two things has changed in Jackson since 2004.tag:Bradospherehttp://www.mlive.com/opinion/jackson/index.ssf/2015/02/brad_flory_column_behold_real.htmltag:Bradospherenoemail@noemail.org (Brad Flory | brad@lifeinplaid.com)Mon, 16 Feb 2015 13:34:00 GMTtag:www.mlive.com,2015:/opinion/jackson/index.ssf/4596.15227818"My paczki wouldn't sell good in stores," said David Zakrzewski of Spring Arbor, "but that's about as authentic as you can get."no"My paczki wouldn't sell good in stores," said David Zakrzewski of Spring Arbor, "but that's about as authentic as you can get."noemail@noemail.org (Brad Flory | brad@lifeinplaid.com)"My paczki wouldn't sell good in stores," said David Zakrzewski of Spring Arbor, "but that's about as authentic as you can get."tag:Bradospherehttp://www.mlive.com/opinion/jackson/index.ssf/2015/02/brad_flory_column_exploring_a.htmltag:Bradospherenoemail@noemail.org (Brad Flory | brad@lifeinplaid.com)Fri, 13 Feb 2015 15:34:09 GMTtag:www.mlive.com,2015:/opinion/jackson/index.ssf/4596.15203703Valentine's Day, a holiday of romance, is a fitting time to penetrate the aura of mystery by allowing my wife to answer the question put to her so often: How do you put up with him, you poor thing?noValentine's Day, a holiday of romance, is a fitting time to penetrate the aura of mystery by allowing my wife to answer the question put to her so often: How do you put up with him, you poor thing?noemail@noemail.org (Brad Flory | brad@lifeinplaid.com)Valentine's Day, a holiday of romance, is a fitting time to penetrate the aura of mystery by allowing my wife to answer the question put to her so often: How do you put up with him, you poor thing?tag:Bradospherehttp://www.mlive.com/opinion/jackson/index.ssf/2015/02/brad_flory_column_untangling_t.htmltag:Bradospherenoemail@noemail.org (Brad Flory | brad@lifeinplaid.com)Wed, 11 Feb 2015 17:11:00 GMTtag:www.mlive.com,2015:/opinion/jackson/index.ssf/4596.15187126After examining audits and budgets to a degree not to be wished upon anyone with a real life, I offer two explanations for why Jackson County finances appear good and bad at the same time.noAfter examining audits and budgets to a degree not to be wished upon anyone with a real life, I offer two explanations for why Jackson County finances appear good and bad at the same time.noemail@noemail.org (Brad Flory | brad@lifeinplaid.com)After examining audits and budgets to a degree not to be wished upon anyone with a real life, I offer two explanations for why Jackson County finances appear good and bad at the same time.tag:Bradospherehttp://www.mlive.com/opinion/jackson/index.ssf/2015/02/brad_flory_column_trials_and_t.htmltag:Bradospherenoemail@noemail.org (Brad Flory | brad@lifeinplaid.com)Mon, 9 Feb 2015 18:00:03 GMTtag:www.mlive.com,2015:/opinion/jackson/index.ssf/4596.15167671The reason I habitually drink diet cola has nothing to do with cutting calories. As a general rule, I adore calories. I drink diet cola because I prefer the flavor.noThe reason I habitually drink diet cola has nothing to do with cutting calories. As a general rule, I adore calories. I drink diet cola because I prefer the flavor.noemail@noemail.org (Brad Flory | brad@lifeinplaid.com)The reason I habitually drink diet cola has nothing to do with cutting calories. As a general rule, I adore calories. I drink diet cola because I prefer the flavor.tag:Bradospherehttp://www.mlive.com/opinion/jackson/index.ssf/2015/02/brad_flory_column_finding_the_1.htmltag:Bradospherenoemail@noemail.org (Brad Flory | brad@lifeinplaid.com)Fri, 6 Feb 2015 18:33:54 GMTtag:www.mlive.com,2015:/opinion/jackson/index.ssf/4596.15147856Mann Lewis Jr. is making music on the outside now, and he does not hide his prison past. His song "Truth" includes the lines "29 years in prison/I did the time/half my life/lived the rhyme/paid the price."noMann Lewis Jr. is making music on the outside now, and he does not hide his prison past. His song "Truth" includes the lines "29 years in prison/I did the time/half my life/lived the rhyme/paid the price."noemail@noemail.org (Brad Flory | brad@lifeinplaid.com)Mann Lewis Jr. is making music on the outside now, and he does not hide his prison past. His song "Truth" includes the lines "29 years in prison/I did the time/half my life/lived the rhyme/paid the price."tag:Bradospherehttp://www.mlive.com/opinion/jackson/index.ssf/2015/02/brad_flory_column_how_a_crazy.htmltag:Bradospherenoemail@noemail.org (Brad Flory | brad@lifeinplaid.com)Wed, 4 Feb 2015 17:13:12 GMTtag:www.mlive.com,2015:/opinion/jackson/index.ssf/4596.15127677Consulting with wildlife expert Jerry from East Jackson, I decided to collect road kill as bait to lure coyotes into camera range. Unfortunately, my wife does not share the vision possessed by me and Jerry.noConsulting with wildlife expert Jerry from East Jackson, I decided to collect road kill as bait to lure coyotes into camera range. Unfortunately, my wife does not share the vision possessed by me and Jerry.noemail@noemail.org (Brad Flory | brad@lifeinplaid.com)Consulting with wildlife expert Jerry from East Jackson, I decided to collect road kill as bait to lure coyotes into camera range. Unfortunately, my wife does not share the vision possessed by me and Jerry.tag:Bradospherehttp://www.mlive.com/opinion/jackson/index.ssf/2015/02/brad_flory_column_what_a_regul.htmltag:Bradospherenoemail@noemail.org (Brad Flory | brad@lifeinplaid.com)Mon, 2 Feb 2015 16:19:00 GMTtag:www.mlive.com,2015:/opinion/jackson/index.ssf/4596.15110423Let's face it, our response when dealing with people who have mental health disorders is often a mixture of avoidance and sarcasm. That's not helpful.noLet's face it, our response when dealing with people who have mental health disorders is often a mixture of avoidance and sarcasm. That's not helpful.noemail@noemail.org (Brad Flory | brad@lifeinplaid.com)Let's face it, our response when dealing with people who have mental health disorders is often a mixture of avoidance and sarcasm. That's not helpful.tag:Bradospherehttp://www.mlive.com/opinion/jackson/index.ssf/2015/01/brad_flory_column_flaws_and_al.htmltag:Bradospherenoemail@noemail.org (Brad Flory | brad@lifeinplaid.com)Fri, 30 Jan 2015 17:45:08 GMTtag:www.mlive.com,2015:/opinion/jackson/index.ssf/4596.15089917Singer Katy Perry is the Super Bowl halftime star, and so much breathless speculation surrounds her performance that a person might think the 12.5 minutes she will spend onstage is in some way important.noSinger Katy Perry is the Super Bowl halftime star, and so much breathless speculation surrounds her performance that a person might think the 12.5 minutes she will spend onstage is in some way important.noemail@noemail.org (Brad Flory | brad@lifeinplaid.com)Singer Katy Perry is the Super Bowl halftime star, and so much breathless speculation surrounds her performance that a person might think the 12.5 minutes she will spend onstage is in some way important.tag:Bradospherehttp://www.mlive.com/opinion/jackson/index.ssf/2015/01/brad_flory_column_well_what_do.htmltag:Bradospherenoemail@noemail.org (Brad Flory | brad@lifeinplaid.com)Tue, 27 Jan 2015 16:42:06 GMTtag:www.mlive.com,2015:/opinion/jackson/index.ssf/4596.15067457This is unfamiliar territory for Jackson City Hall. Municipal leaders are not accustomed to fighting about what extra money can or cannot do.noThis is unfamiliar territory for Jackson City Hall. Municipal leaders are not accustomed to fighting about what extra money can or cannot do.noemail@noemail.org (Brad Flory | brad@lifeinplaid.com)This is unfamiliar territory for Jackson City Hall. Municipal leaders are not accustomed to fighting about what extra money can or cannot do.tag:Bradospherehttp://www.mlive.com/opinion/jackson/index.ssf/2015/01/brad_flory_column_reaching_for.htmltag:Bradospherenoemail@noemail.org (Brad Flory | brad@lifeinplaid.com)Mon, 26 Jan 2015 17:31:00 GMTtag:www.mlive.com,2015:/opinion/jackson/index.ssf/4596.15054179Chili is simple food cooked in astonishingly varied ways, and everyone has a different idea of what tastes best. That makes a food competition interesting and popular.noChili is simple food cooked in astonishingly varied ways, and everyone has a different idea of what tastes best. That makes a food competition interesting and popular.noemail@noemail.org (Brad Flory | brad@lifeinplaid.com)Chili is simple food cooked in astonishingly varied ways, and everyone has a different idea of what tastes best. That makes a food competition interesting and popular.tag:Bradospherehttp://www.mlive.com/opinion/jackson/index.ssf/2015/01/brad_flory_column_how_one_man_1.htmltag:Bradospherenoemail@noemail.org (Brad Flory | brad@lifeinplaid.com)Fri, 23 Jan 2015 17:00:00 GMTtag:www.mlive.com,2015:/opinion/jackson/index.ssf/4596.15031640Five sweaty and frustrating hours passed. With horror, I realized my wife would soon come home to discover I broke the house and could not turn the water back on.noFive sweaty and frustrating hours passed. With horror, I realized my wife would soon come home to discover I broke the house and could not turn the water back on.noemail@noemail.org (Brad Flory | brad@lifeinplaid.com)Five sweaty and frustrating hours passed. With horror, I realized my wife would soon come home to discover I broke the house and could not turn the water back on.tag:Bradospherehttp://www.mlive.com/opinion/jackson/index.ssf/2015/01/brad_flory_column_welcome_to_c.htmltag:Bradospherenoemail@noemail.org (Brad Flory | brad@lifeinplaid.com)Wed, 21 Jan 2015 17:00:00 GMTtag:www.mlive.com,2015:/opinion/jackson/index.ssf/4596.15014503What do we hope to accomplish by insisting kids must have constant supervision? And are we succeeding?noWhat do we hope to accomplish by insisting kids must have constant supervision? And are we succeeding?noemail@noemail.org (Brad Flory | brad@lifeinplaid.com)What do we hope to accomplish by insisting kids must have constant supervision? And are we succeeding?tag:Bradospherehttp://www.mlive.com/opinion/jackson/index.ssf/2015/01/brad_flory_column_jacksons_fli.htmltag:Bradospherenoemail@noemail.org (Brad Flory | brad@lifeinplaid.com)Mon, 19 Jan 2015 15:15:00 GMTtag:www.mlive.com,2015:/opinion/jackson/index.ssf/4596.14995316Political disagreements and factions within Jackson city government in 1915 revolved almost entirely around saloon interests. Saloons were a focal point for deeper social, economic, and religious divisions.noPolitical disagreements and factions within Jackson city government in 1915 revolved almost entirely around saloon interests. Saloons were a focal point for deeper social, economic, and religious divisions.noemail@noemail.org (Brad Flory | brad@lifeinplaid.com)Political disagreements and factions within Jackson city government in 1915 revolved almost entirely around saloon interests. Saloons were a focal point for deeper social, economic, and religious divisions.tag:Bradospherehttp://www.mlive.com/opinion/jackson/index.ssf/2015/01/brad_flory_column_what_the_may.htmltag:Bradospherenoemail@noemail.org (Brad Flory | brad@lifeinplaid.com)Fri, 16 Jan 2015 17:12:37 GMTtag:www.mlive.com,2015:/opinion/jackson/index.ssf/4596.14976564Under normal circumstances, you'd figure asking Michigan voters to raise the sales tax is comparable to a slob like me asking Sandra Bullock for romance.noUnder normal circumstances, you'd figure asking Michigan voters to raise the sales tax is comparable to a slob like me asking Sandra Bullock for romance.noemail@noemail.org (Brad Flory | brad@lifeinplaid.com)Under normal circumstances, you'd figure asking Michigan voters to raise the sales tax is comparable to a slob like me asking Sandra Bullock for romance.tag:Bradospherehttp://www.mlive.com/opinion/jackson/index.ssf/2015/01/brad_flory_column_praise_for_t.htmltag:Bradospherenoemail@noemail.org (Brad Flory | brad@lifeinplaid.com)Wed, 14 Jan 2015 17:30:19 GMTtag:www.mlive.com,2015:/opinion/jackson/index.ssf/4596.14959017Celebrities malign the Midwest with condescending wisecracks about people who think Tater Tots are a food group. But we should know Tot Casserole just begins to hint at the richness of life here.noCelebrities malign the Midwest with condescending wisecracks about people who think Tater Tots are a food group. But we should know Tot Casserole just begins to hint at the richness of life here.noemail@noemail.org (Brad Flory | brad@lifeinplaid.com)Celebrities malign the Midwest with condescending wisecracks about people who think Tater Tots are a food group. But we should know Tot Casserole just begins to hint at the richness of life here.tag:Bradosphere