http://blog.mlive.com/jo_mathis/Jo Mathis columns and opinionenThu, 16 Jul 2009 08:12:15 PDTMovable Type Enterprise 4.29-advance http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/noJo Mathis columns and opinionjo_mathishttp://feedburner.google.comhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/jo_mathis/~3/A4BukixyDyU/oganist_returns_in_concert_aft.htmljmathis@annarbornews.com (Jo C. Mathis)Thu, 16 Jul 2009 08:12:15 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/jo_mathis//2760.3250281 ]]>If there's one thing 90-year-old Rupert Otto loves more than teaching piano, it's opening his Chelsea home for free organ recitals. So when he ended up in the hospital after falling off his treadmill, Otto could think of only one...http://blog.mlive.com/jo_mathis/2009/07/oganist_returns_in_concert_aft.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/jo_mathis/~3/EdXxr-XyctI/lifetime_of_heartbreak_follows.htmllmonson@annarbornews.com (Lynn Monson)Thu, 16 Jul 2009 06:27:18 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/jo_mathis//2760.3225626 ]]>From Day One, we do whatever it takes to keep our kids safe....http://blog.mlive.com/jo_mathis/2009/07/lifetime_of_heartbreak_follows.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/jo_mathis/~3/_UPn1bV5S2A/the_saving_grace_of_family_rit.htmllmonson@annarbornews.com (Lynn Monson)Fri, 10 Jul 2009 09:23:52 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/jo_mathis//2760.3206227 ]]>One of the nice/scary things about having older kids is that you begin to hear what you've done right/wrong....http://blog.mlive.com/jo_mathis/2009/07/the_saving_grace_of_family_rit.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/jo_mathis/~3/CeL_O0ix-jc/exercise_for_your_brain_import.htmllmonson@annarbornews.com (Lynn Monson)Fri, 10 Jul 2009 09:17:56 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/jo_mathis//2760.3206041 ]]>Isn't it strange, writes Dr. Daniel G. Amen, that most people are focused on taking care of their skin, weight, job, and home while ignoring the part of them that matters most?...http://blog.mlive.com/jo_mathis/2009/07/exercise_for_your_brain_import.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/jo_mathis/~3/leJj6i9Ncws/tuesday_musings.htmljmathis@annarbornews.com (Jo C. Mathis)Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:53:00 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/jo_mathis//2760.3179270 ]]>Last year I was asked to consider becoming a full-time columnist, as opposed to writing one column a week along with news and features. I declined, noting that I preferred to write about other people, who are infinitely more interesting....http://blog.mlive.com/jo_mathis/2009/07/tuesday_musings.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/jo_mathis/~3/2ngzM2Su518/desperately_seeking_the_dress_1.htmllmonson@annarbornews.com (Lynn Monson)Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:44:17 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/jo_mathis//2760.3205783 ]]>It's Thursday as I write. And if I still do not have anything to wear to my daughter's fast-approaching wedding by the time this column comes out on Monday, get out of my way. I just might explode....http://blog.mlive.com/jo_mathis/2009/07/desperately_seeking_the_dress_1.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/jo_mathis/~3/hqNu_EfgKEc/tasered_dad_i_learned_to_follo.htmljmathis@annarbornews.com (Jo C. Mathis)Fri, 10 Jul 2009 09:00:47 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/jo_mathis//2760.3149210 ]]>If a police officer tells you to do something, do it. You may know you've done nothing wrong, but the officer doesn't know you. So comply first. Explain later. It's important. It's basic. And if you don't, you could end...http://blog.mlive.com/jo_mathis/2009/07/tasered_dad_i_learned_to_follo.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/jo_mathis/~3/1jmlz97VCAc/save_the_slow_stuff_for_home.htmljmathis@annarbornews.com (Jo C. Mathis)Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:43:30 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/jo_mathis//2760.3133304 ]]>My daughter's wedding and reception last month was practically perfect. The rain held off till the outdoor photographs were taken. Nobody was sick. And unlike what happens in so many romantic comedies, no former sweethearts barged in at the last...http://blog.mlive.com/jo_mathis/2009/06/save_the_slow_stuff_for_home.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/jo_mathis/~3/zCJY5lbF3oQ/owner_wont_give_up_trying_to_find_toto_dog.htmljmathis@annarbornews.com (Jo C. Mathis)Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:39:06 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/jo_mathis//2760.3133085 ]]>Imagine how you'd feel if your dog - the brown-eyed baby who loves you no matter what - had taken off and was out there, somewhere, vulnerable to cars and coyotes and dognapping.Skye...http://blog.mlive.com/jo_mathis/2009/06/owner_wont_give_up_trying_to_find_toto_dog.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/jo_mathis/~3/K9F5sm24eFk/community_support_keeps_family.htmljmathis@annarbornews.com (Jo C. Mathis)Tue, 16 Jun 2009 09:27:08 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/jo_mathis//2760.3015956 ]]>If you're looking for a column with a neat and tidy ending, you won't find it here. This story isn't over. And while it's going a whole lot better than many could have dreamed just a few months ago, it's...http://blog.mlive.com/jo_mathis/2009/06/community_support_keeps_family.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/jo_mathis/~3/iVc292NmDBA/dont_follow_your_bliss_follow.htmljmathis@annarbornews.com (Jo C. Mathis)Tue, 26 May 2009 10:51:28 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/jo_mathis//2760.2855069 ]]>When I was trying to choose a major in college, the going advice was, "Follow your bliss." So I did. And now I wonder: What was I thinking?? Follow your bliss on your own time. Follow the pension!...http://blog.mlive.com/jo_mathis/2009/05/dont_follow_your_bliss_follow.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/jo_mathis/~3/Qe2Txgt-_9s/happy_tears_shed_as_family_exp.htmljmathis@annarbornews.com (Jo C. Mathis)Tue, 19 May 2009 06:03:13 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/jo_mathis//2760.2794421 ]]>By the time this column goes to print, the bouquets will have wilted. The Raisin River Room will be ready for the next reception. And my daughter and her new husband should be sipping mai tais in Maui....http://blog.mlive.com/jo_mathis/2009/05/happy_tears_shed_as_family_exp.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/jo_mathis/~3/4VyiNNfkNw4/and_again_i_say.htmljmathis@annarbornews.com (Jo C. Mathis)Mon, 11 May 2009 06:47:22 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/jo_mathis//2760.2732828 ]]>When I was growing up, talking dolls were all the rage. You pulled a string, and a muffled little voice said one of a handful of pithy lines, such as "May I have a cookie?" Or: "Let's have a party!"...http://blog.mlive.com/jo_mathis/2009/05/and_again_i_say.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/jo_mathis/~3/McrR7LsrZbY/repaying_you_for_all_youve_don.htmlColumnjmathis@annarbornews.com (Jo C. Mathis)Mon, 11 May 2009 06:30:29 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/jo_mathis//2760.2732663 ]]>It's bedtime in Linda Kurti's comfy room where the walls are still decorated for Christmas, St. Patrick's Day and her birthday. Clearly, Linda hates for the fun to stop. Now it's her favorite part of the day: story timeElli GurfinkelHelle...http://blog.mlive.com/jo_mathis/2009/05/repaying_you_for_all_youve_don.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/jo_mathis/~3/19a268UXxu8/bus_driver_serenades_um_riders.htmlAnn Arbor News - FeaturesAnn Arbor News - NewsColumnjmathis@annarbornews.com (Jo C. Mathis)Mon, 04 May 2009 09:05:59 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/jo_mathis//2760.2677842 ]]>By Alan WarrenDaryl Cain sings as he drives. When Daryl Cain first started driving a University of Michigan commuter bus 11 years ago as a student, he decided he might as well sing while he was at it. "I sang...http://blog.mlive.com/jo_mathis/2009/05/bus_driver_serenades_um_riders.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/jo_mathis/~3/4LcVLbOfrjE/social_network_widens_concept_1.htmlAnn Arbor News - Featuresjmathis@annarbornews.com (Jo C. Mathis)Mon, 20 Apr 2009 11:11:55 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/jo_mathis//2760.2586595 ]]>All my life, I've done things I said I'd never do. And so I've done it again. I just joined Facebook....http://blog.mlive.com/jo_mathis/2009/04/social_network_widens_concept_1.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/jo_mathis/~3/81WBxSou6jA/a_long_wait_for_my_short_caree.htmlAnn Arbor News - NewsBlogColumnspepple@annarbornews.com (Steve Pepple)Tue, 14 Apr 2009 07:54:56 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/jo_mathis//2760.2503411 ]]>Jo Mathis writes about her 15 minutes of fame (that took all day) as an extra in the "Betty Anne Waters" movie, which was filmed locally.http://blog.mlive.com/jo_mathis/2009/04/a_long_wait_for_my_short_caree.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/jo_mathis/~3/vplGhbm-51Q/news_employees_grieve_worry_co.htmlBloglmonson@annarbornews.com (Lynn Monson)Sun, 29 Mar 2009 08:55:25 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/jo_mathis//2760.2459054 ]]>Editor's note: This column has been updated. If anybody out there sells Sominex or sedatives, you could make a killing at the corner of Huron and Division streets, where more than 200 stressed-out people aren't sleeping very well....http://blog.mlive.com/jo_mathis/2009/03/news_employees_grieve_worry_co.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/jo_mathis/~3/sAT3yhzoH7Q/a_column_i_never_wanted_to_wri.htmljmathis@annarbornews.com (Jo C. Mathis)Thu, 14 May 2009 13:43:06 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/jo_mathis//2760.2435877 ]]>On Sunday morning, I was visiting my mother in Saline when I remembered the big meeting scheduled for 9 a.m. the next morning at work. "It's not going to be good," I said. "The paper's been struggling. I think we're...http://blog.mlive.com/jo_mathis/2009/03/a_column_i_never_wanted_to_wri.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/jo_mathis/~3/CVa0zXRWAsw/an_ounce_of_prevention.htmljmathis@annarbornews.com (Jo C. Mathis)Wed, 25 Mar 2009 06:00:26 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/jo_mathis//2760.2435718 ]]>The 93-year-old driver whose car recently struck and killed a woman in a Meijer parking lot is a good reminder to the rest of us to make sure our aging loved ones are not dangerous behind the wheel. An investigation...http://blog.mlive.com/jo_mathis/2009/03/an_ounce_of_prevention.htmlnonadult