I have written opinion columns for the Sentinel since January 2021, never missing a week.

Until now.

It’s not that I have run out of opinions — that will never happen, not in today’s political environment. And it’s not like I decided that readers needed a break from my personal views, my odd humor or my storytelling.

I just need a day off.

My siblings and their spouses are visiting this week from Denver and San Francisco. As much as I enjoy writing my columns and actually enjoy the occasional disagreeing email from a reader, I figure I need to spend my time making sure my guests enjoy their time in our state. I doubt they flew for almost six hours to watch me pound away at the keyboard, telling them to shush because I was on deadline.

Besides, I have copies of all the columns I have written for the Sentinel, and most every other newspaper I have worked at or owned over the years. If the weather is bad and they get bored sitting inside, I can fill their lap with my decades of writing.

I suppose, however, that the stack of newspaper clippings might drive them to change their flights and return home early, exchanging comments about their annoying older brother. If my mother were alive, she’d tell me to “knock it off.” That was when she was trying to be polite.

So, in the interest of family harmony and being a good host, I decided to park my opinions for a week, put away the keyboard, stifle my speeches and go shopping for smoked salmon and bagels for my guests.

Though I promise to keep the handy pad of Post-It Notes and a pen by my bed, jotting down ideas for next week’s column. Opinion writing is too much fun to stay away for long.