Jim Willard

Fortune favored me recently. I have had two individuals ask me​ about the ring on the ring finger (where a wedding band would be) of my left hand.

Norman Corwin. There I said it again. From the moment I read (and listened to) his work I became an unabashed admirer. He was approached to create a special program celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Bill of Rights. Then on the way to…

Glancing at the Willard TS (that’s “Trivially Speaking) Index, I see that it’s been a good chunk of a year since last we played “Guess That Year.” So, dust off the old brain cells — figuratively, not literally …

The CEO’s cooking processes frequently use the spice for flavoring so in the summer months there’s typically a basil plant on the deck of Stately Willard Manor.

Regular readers will note that all of my columns are G-rated — as will be this one — but it’s about one of Bernard Shaw’s addressing the scourges of late Victorian society. Younger readers may want to discuss this with their par…

The first regular publication for spreading the news was the old Roman gazette Acta Diurna (Action Journal). The Diurna was controlled by the government and had its “news” heavily censored — perhaps preceding “alternative …

I read an article in the Reporter-Herald — of course, I still subscribe, it’s critical to support independent journalism — that struck me with potential. The headline screamed, and I paraphrase: Diesel prices have hit a record high. I…

The woman looked at me and said “You’re Jim Willard.” I’m known in The Village (so couldn’t deny it) so I responded “Yes, I am.” She said “I have a picture of you on my refrigerator.” I’m certain my jaw dropped and w…

The temperatures of the last week — as I write this — have been cold enough to force me out of my shorts into long pants. While it’s not been cold enough to … you fill in the gap … it did drive me to my references and a pl…

I don’t believe it’s fair to blame it on the two mammals that represent the major political parties — I don’t know if the minor political parties have representative mammals. So, let’s tiptoe back in time to how the …