Once in a while this column gets a tad philosophical. Not a lot, but a little. Not textbook theory, but just thinking out loud,

or rather on paper, about experiences and life and their meanings.

Just a warning this might be one of those times.

Many may have wondered (yet no one ever asked) why this column takes the main title “The Dash.” Well, put to rest all your predictions, the betting pools and the tarot cards, I’ve decided to tell you in honor of the belated one-year birthday of this column. And I know I missed some weeks, or a month, in there somewhere.

Shocked was I to hear that I  was not the first to title something with this name? Yes.

I recently read a poem called, you guessed right, “The Dash,” by Linda Ellis. She has a book and everything. She’s a motivational speaker. Well, I aspire to no such speaking schedule.

I first heard a quote, which obviously relates to her poem, about the dates of birth and death on a gravestone and the dash in between.

Ellis’ poem talks of the time represented by that dash. How precious it is and the importance in making your time worth while. I wholeheartedly agree, although my take, in giving this moniker to my column, was just slightly askew from her version, maybe.

While her poem, (set to music and gorgeous scenic photography if you search for it on the internet), is very moving and inspirational, I don’t think of my musings here as such.

I like to think of this place at the bottom or side of our illustrious and re-arranged Opinions Page as a spot for observation and sometimes friendly advice with a little bit of sarcasm for good measure. A touch of occasional satire, far-removed from an SNL skit, and sometimes funny only to me, I’m afraid.

It’s about life’s small moments that people are often too quick to dismiss, or simply topics you wouldn’t normally think to discuss. It is often said that there is nothing more interesting than real life some days, even in a small town.

Most of all, this is a space to ponder the meaning of those moments. Is it a gentle nudge toward a memory, a smile of happiness or a catastrophic realization minutes too late? Hopefully it’s not the last one.

You’ve heard about pink sandals, famous photographs, sandwiches and volunteering. All have meaning, even if only to me.

I take in conversations and see the sights everyone else sees from day to day and hopefully an idea will spark in a column.  Fitted sheets and hero capes come to mind from a conversation around a dinner table. Not every meaning is great and should be disregarded, however, with others you should take great care.

History repeats itself and it has shown that small moments, almost missed in time, can bring about great change or alter events, like a free throw at a basketball game or responding to a fire. Major and minor consequences result.

And here ends to philosophizing. My next column is going to be about cookies.