Essay
Having To Go To School on Saturdays in the Winter
I grew up in the Appalachian mountains, so winter never left us wanting for snow. Most days in January and February brought at least a dusting, even if it was …
Articles by Mickey Lee
Essay
In Defense of American Defense Action Figures
Back in the early 1980s, when the world was still lit by the glow of Saturday morning cartoons and the hum of VCRs rewinding, G.I. Joe was king. I was …
Essay
Alf Hand Puppets From Burger King
Back in the late 1980s, when fast food promotions were practically a second currency for kids, Burger King rolled out something that wasn’t technically a kid’s meal toy, but felt …
Essay
Ringing in the New Year With MTV ’92: A New Year’s Special
In those years before I had a driver’s license, before I could pile into a friend’s car, blast the radio, and roam around town on New Year’s Eve like we …
Essay
College Football Was Better When Bowl Games Mattered
There was a time when college football bowl games were the crown jewels of the season. They were the reward at the end of a long autumn, and the grand …
Editorial
I Need to Lose a Few Years
I came home this afternoon from running those errands that always seem to follow a holiday…take off the trash, grab fresh bread and milk, and check the mail. When I …
Essay
Merry Christmas 2025
The picture above is of my mom and dad and was taken not long after they were married. Way back then, they had no idea that I would come along, …
Essay
Peter Come Home For Christmas
There are certain commercials that stick with you. Not because they’re flashy or clever, but because they tap into something deeper. Something personal. Something that lingers long after the jingle …
Essay
The He-Man and She-Ra Christmas Special
I was seven years old, and nothing in the world mattered more to me than Masters of the Universe. My bedroom floor was a battlefield of plastic heroes and villains. …
Special Feature
Highlights From the 1990 JC Penny Christmas Catalog
In my neck of the woods, the Christmas season always officially kicked off with the arrival of the yearly Sears Wish Book and JC Penny catalog, which was usually sometime …