http://creators.com/ Creators Syndicate is an international syndication company that represents cartoonists and columnists of the highest caliber. en Sat, 17 May 2008 14:42:47 -0700 eb6373bedf9eea064cef30fbf9f510bc http://creators.com/lifestylefeatures/mimi-kopulos/a-grill-like-dear-ol-dad-s.html Fri, 07 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0800 One evening I craved something rich in omega-3 fatty acids: fried catfish. And I knew just where to go to satisfy my craving: Romanelli Grill. <p> I grew up a few blocks from Romanelli's. It'd been years since I'd eaten there, so the moment I walked in the front door I was struck by nostalgia. I'd usually gone there with my parents. <br /> </p> <p>My dad was a fish salesman, and every day after wo ...<br> <br/>Updated: Fri Mar 07, 2008<br/><br/> a51985bec2557b46db42eecf2ea6af19 http://creators.com/lifestylefeatures/mimi-kopulos/mr-postman-is-there-a-card-for-me.html Sat, 08 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0800 Every year my husband asks, &quot;Are we sending out Christmas cards?&quot; <p> &quot;No,&quot; I answer. <br /> </p> <p>&quot;Eventually our friends will scratch us off their lists,&quot; he gripes.<br /> </p> <p>Compiling a list of names and addresses for holiday-card sending is right up there with cleaning out the hall closet. My uncle Bud's home address is still in my address book, and he died ...<br> <br/>Updated: Sat Mar 08, 2008<br/><br/> 3ddcedb0e462ff3158c7fa836ed56deb http://creators.com/lifestylefeatures/mimi-kopulos/man-vs-bat.html Sun, 09 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0800 Behind every great man is a great bat story. Those gray beady-eyed creatures have been around since prehistoric times. And man today, perhaps as in prehistoric times, will go to great lengths to protect his family from these fearsome mammals. <p> I have listened to my girlfriends tell grand stories about how their homes were under siege by the nocturnal creatures, and how their valiant men won the ...<br> <br/>Updated: Sun Mar 09, 2008<br/><br/> b4974b0885e59ab8008e5691e3a3d760 http://creators.com/lifestylefeatures/mimi-kopulos/no-one-s-writing-songs-about-i-my-i-derriere.html Mon, 10 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0700 We were at a party. My husband, laughing and talking with friends, was clueless that his homeland security rating was about to jump from green to red alert. <p> His golf buddy had just walked up to me and said, &quot;I heard about what happened.&quot; <br /> </p> <p>At first, I didn't know what he meant. Then he said, &quot;You don't have a big butt.&quot;<br /> </p> <p>From across the patio, my h ...<br> <br/>Updated: Mon Mar 10, 2008<br/><br/> 781cf7d38e0c27a314fdbd9d7cd42826 http://creators.com/lifestylefeatures/mimi-kopulos/cootie-shots.html Sat, 19 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0700 <p>First, I would like to apologize to anyone who, at one time or another, might have gotten cooties from my family or me. I grew up during a time when staying home from school because you were sick was not an option. My mom's Momometer only measured serious maladies &mdash; puke and blood. She never authorized sick-day passes to her kids for runny noses, coughs or fevers. So when my kids cried, & ...<br> <br/>Updated: Sat Apr 19, 2008<br/><br/> bba1388186e681139dcdb5533b6725e9 http://creators.com/lifestylefeatures/mimi-kopulos/tempted-by-the-sun.html Sat, 26 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0700 <p>We hadn't taken a family vacation in a long time. I'm embarrassed to admit that we packed our bags one week before we left and placed our luggage at the foot of our beds like expectant mothers-to-be. The night before we left on our trip, I awoke every two hours worried we'd miss our 6 a.m. flight to Phoenix.</p> <p>From the plane's window, I felt the warmth from the Arizona sun on my face. I'm ...<br> <br/>Updated: Sat Apr 26, 2008<br/><br/> 20582f3dae1e5f55594402c45f12bb2b http://creators.com/lifestylefeatures/mimi-kopulos/when-the-wall-comes-crumblin-down.html Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700 <p>My husband thinks a screwdriver's a drink. So when it comes to home repairs, I phone Dan the handyman, or I put on a toolbelt and do the work myself.</p> <p>We live in a 100-year-old house built from true masonary construction. The walls in the house are 12 inches thick, and made of lath and plaster. Over the years the house has settled, causing some of the walls to dilate like varicose veins.< ...<br> <br/>Updated: Thu May 01, 2008<br/><br/> 22a8d8046b10a6b6c264c362c6709abc http://creators.com/lifestylefeatures/mimi-kopulos/mother-s-day-festival.html Sat, 10 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700 <p>The ancient Greeks first celebrated Mother's Day by having a spring festival. They dedicated the festival to Rhea, the mother of the gods &mdash; she was also known as the Great Mother. Apparently, my Greek husband knew nothing about this tradition: &quot;There's so much hype about Mother's Day. Do you even remember what you did last year?&quot;</p> <p>&quot;Yes, I remember what I did last year ...<br> <br/>Updated: Sat May 10, 2008<br/><br/> 8328986761c45b79a95f3da849d65cf7 http://creators.com/lifestylefeatures/mimi-kopulos/cold-case.html Sat, 17 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700 <p>Warning: What you are about to read contains unpleasant graphic material. This column is not intended for men with weak stomachs.</p> <p>I received a phone call from my friend Rhoda. &quot;What are you doing?&quot;</p> <p>&quot;Grocery shopping. What's up?&quot;</p> <p>&quot;I need you to come to my house right now.&quot;</p> <p>&quot;Why?&quot;</p> <p>&quot;I'll tell you when you get here. Hur ...<br> <br/>Updated: Sat May 17, 2008<br/><br/>