Columnists - The Durango Herald

Romance grows in blended family

DEAR ABBY: I have been dating my boyfriend, “George,” for 17 years after our divorces. I have three grown children. He has four – two of whom are still at home. We have never lived together....

DATE: Dec 12, 2023 | CATEGORY: Dear Abby

Childhood friend knows whole truth

DEAR ABBY: Forty years ago, a neighborhood boy fathered a child with a neighborhood girl. “Billy” was 17 at the time, and “Becky” was 14 or 15. Both were friends of mine. They were not a ste...

DATE: Dec 12, 2023 | CATEGORY: Dear Abby

No more whining. Who’s in?

There was one hard and fast rule in my household growing up: No whining. What exactly is whining? Miriam Webster tells us that it is a raised, nasal, unpleasant tone of voice that generally ...

DATE: Dec 10, 2023 | CATEGORY: Opinion

The Hermit Monk of New Mexico’s Organ Mountains

The Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument in southern New Mexico has unique geology, birds, reptiles, plants, and human history – including a murdered monk. As we approach the Chris...

DATE: Dec 9, 2023 | CATEGORY: Gulliford's Travels

Can we clear the flame-broiled air? Maybe not

Dear Action Line: I drive by Burger King almost every day on the way to work and I’m always confused when I see the train plume in the middle of the day. … Then I realize it’s the restau...

DATE: Dec 9, 2023 | CATEGORY: Action Line

Being well-prepared is integral to SJMA’s success

During a week in late July, it dawned on me that even if I could carve out a full week to venture away from my desk to see the SJMA staff in action, I could not actually get to all of them, ...

DATE: Dec 9, 2023 | CATEGORY: Stewards of the Land

Catadioptric telescopes for Christmas

Greetings, stargazers. I hope you are enjoying the change in weather. My December column has occasionally been used to list some things you might want to put on your astronomical observing w...

DATE: Dec 9, 2023 | CATEGORY: What's up in Durango Skies

Embracing change for a healthier future

As San Juan Basin Public Health prepares to permanently close its doors on Dec. 31, our community is presented with an opportunity to reflect with gratitude on past efforts and with optimism...

DATE: Dec 8, 2023 | CATEGORY: Creating Community

Conflicts over wolves mostly ‘social, governance issues’

The restoration of wolves to Colorado is an historic conservation effort to return and preserve the integrity of wild ecosystems in the Southern Rocky Mountains. This is why I feel compelled...

DATE: Dec 8, 2023 | CATEGORY: Opinion

‘When, in what areas can we recreate shared experiences’

A chance encounter brought up some of my happiest memories, while at the same time tying into a series of conversations I have been party to about what we are missing as a society. It was a ...

DATE: Dec 8, 2023 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Christmas goose isn’t only one getting fat

We are in the midst of the great Caloric Festival that occurs between Thanksgiving and New Years, followed by often ill-fated resolutions. And, now, this annual time period has gotten worse....

DATE: Dec 8, 2023 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Apollo Suns is a collective ‘band that jams’

They’re “kind of” a jam band. Like Frank Zappa or Return to Forever are “kind of” jam bands. But for the jam-band naysayers don’t let that descriptor dissuade you from the Canadian instrumen...

DATE: Dec 7, 2023 | CATEGORY: Downtown Lowdown