The Shippster

      You know, folks, it’s a funny thing about life. No matter how talented you are, how many degrees you’ve got hanging on the wall, or how many “World’s Best” mugs you own, if you find yourself in the wrong place you might as well be a cat trying to bark.        Take my cousin Earl, for instance. Earl could shoot the lights out on the basketball court. He had moves that would make Michael Jordan weep. But did he ever play on a team? Nope! He spent his weekends playing pickup games at the local retirement home. Now, don’t get me wrong. Those sweet old ladies could really throw down some serious bingo, but they sure weren’t interested in Earl’s slam dunks. He was a star in a place where nobody cared.       It’s like having a beautiful singing voice and only ever singing in the shower. Sure, you might bring down the house in your own bathroom, but the audience is just a rubber duck and a bottle of shampoo. You’re not going to make i...

      Well, here we are, folks. It’s January 4, 2025, and if you’re like me, you’re still trying to figure out what to do with all those New Year’s resolutions you made just a few days ago. I mean, who thought it was a good idea to resolve to hit the gym more often when your couch is so comfortably inviting?       I’ll tell you what, I made a resolution to eat healthier this year. But then I passed by the local BBQ joint, and let me tell you, those ribs were calling my name louder than any motivational speaker ever could. I don’t know about you, but when I see a plate of ribs, I can’t help but think that they’re just as good for my soul as any kale smoothie could ever be.       And speaking of resolutions, have you ever noticed how every year they’re always the same? People promise to save money, spend more time with family, and eat less fried food. But come July, we’re back to our old tricks. We’re spending too much, ignoring our f...

      Well, folks, I never thought I’d see the day when our beloved New Orleans, a city known for its jazz, gumbo, and Mardi Gras, would be in the news for something as dark as a terrorist attack. It’s a city that thrives on celebration, where the music flows like the Mississippi River itself. But even the most vibrant places can be touched by tragedy, and when that happens, we’re left to pick up the pieces.      You know, New Orleans is a lot like a good pot of gumbo. It’s got a little bit of everything. A dash of this, a sprinkle of that, and when you stir it all together, you get something magical. But when outside forces come in and try to spoil that mix, it’s a bitter pill to swallow. The resilience of the people there is something to behold, though. They know how to bounce back, and if anyone can turn a tragedy into a reason to celebrate life, it’s the folks in the Big Easy.      It’s hard to fathom why someone would choose to inflict p...

      Well, folks, here we are on January 1, 2025. I don’t know about you, but it feels like just yesterday we were worried about Y2K and whether our microwave ovens would turn into little robots ready to take over the world. And now, a quarter of the way through the 21st century and I can’t help but wonder if we’ve made any real progress or not. Are we just running in place? Sweating and panting, while the treadmill of life keeps speeding up.      I woke up this morning and looked outside. I saw the same old trees, the same old sky, and I thought, "Well, at least the squirrels are still nuts!" But let’s talk about resolutions. Every January 1, people make these lofty promises to themselves. "I’m going to lose weight," "I’m going to quit smoking," or "I’m going to be nicer to my in-laws." But by January 15, most of us are right back to our old habits. Like eating cake for breakfast and avoiding Aunt Edna's phone calls.      Now, I can’t help...