One of my freelance gigs I have is covering the Chicago Cubs in spring training and it involves being at the ballpark early enough to see infield practice.

Superintendent of Public Instruction John Huppenthal responded to a letter I wrote to the AFN (“Huppenthal’s money plea off base,” Feb. 17) criticizing him for pleading with the Legislature for $35 million for a computer system for the Department of Education when I’ve never heard of him making a plea to them for money for something that would actually benefit students. In his guest commentary (“Barlam continues to hold long-time political grudge,” AFN, Feb. 27) he states that in the past I have criticized him for his support of charter schools, and then goes on to chastise me for working in one.

How many times has this “Medical Advice” column reported a change in prevailing medical recommendations? Here we go again. Humpty Dumpty could certainly identify with the angst a humble egg currently has to deal with. Talk about self-esteem issues. For years, eggs have been slashed from “healthy” diets because they were considered too loaded with fat and, therefore, a leading contributor to heart disease. The general recommendation was no more than two eggs per week. Even yours truly ascribed to that theory and personally was responsible for instructing her patients in that direction.

As Valentine’s Day approaches, some individuals reflect on the questions: “Why am I alone?” “Why can’t I make a relationship work?”

As we consider New Year’s resolutions, I gladly share a story of Violet Jerome, a family friend who knew the secrets of keeping the Christmas spirit alive, year-round. Come to think of it, with our nation trapped in moral chaos, her story needs to be shared across the land.

Marilyn Monroe. The Rolling Stones. And Bond — James Bond. What do they have in common?

PHOENIX - Coming to you live from Moon Valley.

"The Beautiful Ruins” started off as a little frivolous and fun — a nice break from a serious novel. How wrong could I be.

Arizona's 11 Republican electors formally cast their votes Monday for Mitt Romney -- but not before three of them, including the state party chairman, said questions remain about whether Barack Obama is a natural born citizen.

Are you as depressed as I am? No, not about the D-Backs’ up and mostly down season and not about the Cardinals’ inability to find a quarterback or a line to protect him. No, I’m depressed about this year’s election, the most disturbing election in my memory.

I need to start out with a big apology. In last month’s article, I inadvertently credited Jason Gray with “I Refuse,” but that is really Josh Wilson’s song. I was made aware of my mix-up by a kind woman who graciously pointed out my mistake and then shared a few things that I hadn’t known. I learned that Gray has a speech impediment and stutters when talking, but it isn’t noticeable at all when he sings. Amazing.

If you haven’t read it already, do pick up a copy of “The Day You Were Born” by Debra Frasier. My daughter’s godparents gave us the book when she was born, and it is sweet and awesome and makes me cry every time I read it.

 Mitt Romney’s tough talk on foreign policy shows why we should always check the military service records of self-proclaimed superpatriots. Like Dick Cheney, John Bolton, Paul Wolfowitz, Rush Limbaugh and other Republican chicken hawks, Romney was a Vietnam draft dodger, whose five sons have similarly avoided military service.

From the MIM: Due to unforeseen circumstances, this week's performance by the Leipzig Quartet has been postponed until March 6, 2013. We apologize for any inconvenience. If you have questions, please contact MIM Guest Service at (480) 478-6000 or guestservice@theMIM.org.

Dear Mikey,

My wife and I have lived in Ahwatukee for nearly 27 years. About 8 a.m. on the morning of Friday, May 31 my wife, Barbara, and I stood in our driveway on Cherokee Street when our Yorkie spotted a man on a bicycle with two leashed mid-sized dogs on the street in front of our house. “Tootie,” our Yorkie, which I had just unleashed, ran toward the dogs. One of the two dogs broke his leash and took off after our dog, on to our property. Our dog ran for her life! The dog owner chased after his dog and tried to get our puppy out of his mouth. He managed to get to his dog once and then his dog ran away and attacked our dog again, swinging her around like she was a rag doll. We all screamed and hollered. After the dog owner got his dog to drop our dog, my wife and I took her inside and Barbara gave her a bath at which time injuries were discovered on her body. Barbara took our dog to a vet who treated her with stitches and antibiotics. Friday evening through Saturday Barb held Tootie. On Saturday afternoon Tootie took a turn for the worse. She was rushed to a pet hospital in Gilbert where doctors tried in vain to save her life. She died in my wife’s arms on Sunday morning.

My wife and I have lived in Ahwatukee for nearly 27 years. About 8 a.m. on the morning of Friday, May 31 my wife, Barbara, and I stood in our driveway on Cherokee Street when our Yorkie spotted a man on a bicycle with two leashed mid-sized dogs on the street in front of our house. “Tootie,” our Yorkie, which I had just unleashed, ran toward the dogs. One of the two dogs broke his leash and took off after our dog, on to our property. Our dog ran for her life! The dog owner chased after his dog and tried to get our puppy out of his mouth. He managed to get to his dog once and then his dog ran away and attacked our dog again, swinging her around like she was a rag doll. We all screamed and hollered. After the dog owner got his dog to drop our dog, my wife and I took her inside and Barbara gave her a bath at which time injuries were discovered on her body. Barbara took our dog to a vet who treated her with stitches and antibiotics. Friday evening through Saturday Barb held Tootie. On Saturday afternoon Tootie took a turn for the worse. She was rushed to a pet hospital in Gilbert where doctors tried in vain to save her life. She died in my wife’s arms on Sunday morning.

Curiously, in an election year that was supposed to be about jobs and the economy, social issues with a religious and spiritual dimension have played an important role. Observing the annular solar eclipse last month, I had a little fantasy about what it must have been like to be Giulia Ammannati, the mother of Galileo. So imagine if you will, that the year is 1616.

Tom Succow is one of the all-time greats.

Tom Succow is one of the all-time greats.

Dear Mikey,

Dear Mikey,

Well folks, the campaign has fully begun, launched by female drama; one woman publicly attacking another. However, it didn’t turn out quite the way Democratic strategist Hilary Rosen apparently hoped. Some say she got her talking orders directly from the White House when she attacked Ann Romney Wednesday night on CNN. But my guess is she didn’t need directions, she seemed comfortable in her strident remarks.