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By Susan Harper

Along with my resistance to such politically overused phrases as “with all due respect” and “at the end of the day” — which seem to have an almost viral presence in public speech — I find that I have a towering and still-growing resentment of the new favorite buzz-phrase among politicians: “ordinary Americans.” Depending on how much and how carefully you listen to what passes for news these days, you will hear those two words paired up and uttered 10 or 20 times a day. [Full Story »] 

By Susan Harper

As my retirement date approaches, I have this increasingly odd sensation, as if I’m a fish who’s about to leap out of the fishbowl. Last week a visitor to the library learned that I was retiring and said, “What? How can you leave this beautiful library?”

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By Tricia Massey

In previous columns, I have mentioned to you that the reality television show “Survivor” is my all-time favorite show. Three years ago I submitted an application and video but never heard from the producers.

Recently, a friend e-mailed me the link to an announcement about an open casting call for “Survivor.” I was so excited I could hardly contain myself. The CBS station in Greenville, SC, hosted the call Jan. 21 in Travelers Rest, SC.

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By Susan Harper

After a week of creeping around huddled in jackets with hoods, and so swathed in scarves that I probably looked like a potential terrorist, I stepped out the door this morning dressed for the worst (from sheer habit), and voila! — the worm had not only turned, but had been eaten by a broad-breasted robin. Spring had somehow sneaked in while I slept. Daffodils were blooming in my yard, and boy did I feel silly in my terrorist garb now that the temperature had gone up by 50 degrees.

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