When you put your all into something — when you really try your hardest — you want very badly to succeed. I think we can all agree this is true.

When you put your all into something — when you really try your hardest — you want very badly to succeed. I think we can all agree this is true.

After 50 years of either going to school, working, or going to school and working at the same time, I’m finally retired.

Growing up, my oldest daughter loved birthday parties. We tried very hard to make them fun and exciting for her.

When I was a kid in Brooklyn, some of my wise-guy friends — comic wise guys, not criminal “wiseguys” — would often tell stories that would get you going, only to have them say, “only kidding, haha”

After 50 years in the workforce, I’m finally approaching retirement. It took a very long time for me to get comfortable with the prospect of not having a place to go on Monday mornings.

I love meeting new people because all people are interesting in one way or another. Truly, meeting new people adds spice to life, just like hot sauce on chili.

We haven’t heard from my alter-ego, the always helpful and understanding advice columnist “Cranky Frankie,” in a long time. Let’s see what’s in the mailbag:

Dear Cranky Frankie:

When my parents and later just my father were living in Guilderland, my little brother from Florida visited many times, spending thousands of dollars on plane tickets and hotels.

After I complete my morning ablutions, the first thing I do is turn on the TV to see if there have been any new mass shootings, COVID outbreaks, or freak storms since I went to bed.