The only one vice I never indulged in, ON PRINCIPLE, is gambling. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve no objection to people gambling, or to gambling itself, or to any victimless crimes — especially not on moral grounds. People have always indulged in those behaviors, they always will, and ...

As a kid, I was as big a jabber-jaw as I am now. Talking was (and if you’re keeping count, still is) my favorite hobby. And why wouldn’t it be? It costs nothing and requires neither formal training, tools nor materials. And best of all — especially in light of today’s status quo — no ...

If there’s any group of people I can’t stand, it’s Faux Connoisseurs. I have no problem with true connoisseurs because they know what they’re talking about. For example, the chef instructors at Paul Smith’s College: They were all experts in their field; in fact, Paul Sorgule, the ...

Last week’s column elicited some readers’ comments that I have to respond to. The column was about suspenders. It focused on why men who are adipose-endowed should quit wearing belts, and switch to suspenders for their sole source of support. The reason is simple: No matter how tight ...

“Whole country’s goin’ to hell in a handcart,” said Iroquois Red. “They can’t even make a good belt anymore.” “Oh?” I said. “Yeah. This is the third one I’ve bought since summer ...” he said, pointing at a chrome snap-on buckle as big as a hubcap, “... and ...

It should come as no surprise when I tell you that over the past half-century I’ve read scads, oodles, and even buttloads on the fine art of writing. From how-tos to Who’s Who’s, from interviews to the latest news, from teaching ‘bout it to preaching ‘bout it, I may not have heard it ...