Rhyme and Reason

I get regular emails from a guy who knows a thing or two about emails. And he often mentions another guy who the FBI describes as the most feared negotiator. So you’d probably want that guy on your team if you got into a hostage crisis. Or prisoner exchange. Or some sort of armed standoff. Yeah, I’m guessing that negotiation day would go more your way if this guy was on your team. But,...

“Blinded by the light. Revved up like a deuce, you know a runner in the night.” I remember listening to Manfred Mann’s Earth Band sing that song way back in the 1970’s. And I didn’t learn, till later, it was written by Bruce Springsteen (I’m not one of his fans). But it’s one of those songs that partly sticks in your brain because of the catchy phrase&#823...

A few years ago I felt like a man of dust. Because I did some handyman work in addition to my ad writing, copywriting, and website building business. I was getting established in a new city after living in another city for over 20 years. And the client connections didn’t materialize fast enough for me to rely on what I’d been doing for a long time. So, being the handy kinda guy, I book...

Yesterday was that day. Today is that day. And tomorrow will be that day. And by “that day” I mean the day somebody was talkin’ about when they said they’d do, be, or try something. You’ve said it. I’ve said it. Most everybody has. Does it sound familiar? “Someday I wanna try (fill in the blank). Or how about, “Someday he/she will be sorry.” Ye...

Ever since the Donald left the white house, some guy named Joe has been there. And he’s doin’ a good job. A mighty good job. So, I just wanted to touch base with you and let in on the latest political news. See ya later. (*needle scratch sound) Yeah, you know what’s dripping, don’t you? But I’m only being a little sarcastic. Mostly I mean it. Some guy named Joe, who p...

Mountain goats. Awesome animals that live high in the mountains most of the time. Mountain Goats…a stupid band from North Carolina who probably wouldn’t know truth if it zapped through their instruments, traveled up their fingers, and stimulated whatever brain cells they have left. But I don’t know them. So, maybe I shouldn’t get started on what I really think. Besides, I&#...

Even if you’re not familiar with the world of copywriting, you probably read some every day. Because copywriting is the act of using words to sell. That’s the simple definition. And a guy I’ve been following for over 30 years, Bob Bly, wrote the book on copywriting. Several books to be more accurate. He and I connected on a business social network. And this morning I saw a post,...

“Alright. We ain’t talkin’ no politics or religion around here. See? And I better not catch you playin’ the stool pigeon, or you’ll be wearin’ a pine overcoat. See?” Yeah, those gangsters, from the movies of the 30’s and 40’s really knew how to get their points across. And that’s back when men could be manly in movies, and audiences ate i...

Hate is push-button easy these days. And the mask mandate, that somebody named Polis living in the governor’s mansion in Colorado keeps extending, is proof of this. First, here’s why a mask mandate is a form of hate. If you love your fellow human beings, are you gonna force them to breathe bad air? No. And if you love your fellow human beings, do you want them to deal with extra fatigu...

Which is more important? More essential? And more vital to human endeavors? Peace or liberty? If you chose peace, go sit down in the back of the class and think about what you just did Mr. Man. Or Missy Miss. Because when, in the course of all human events, did peace throw off the shackles of tyranny? Now, it would certainly be primo if we didn’t have to choose between peace and liberty. But...

One of my biggest honors was sharing the stage, at a pro-life event in Denver, Colorado, with Alan Keyes. In case you’re not familiar with him, he’s the former ambassador to the UN under former president, Ronald Reagan. Mr. Keyes gave his speech through my Bose sound system. And I sang some original music before and after the dinner. Yes, meeting him was one of my biggest honors. But n...

Freedom is a right. That should be self-evident (as somebody once wrote). But apparently, for a lot of knuckleheads, that information just can’t make it past the knuckles in those heads. So, they toss freedoms out just like they toss their fast-food trash out their car windows. And that means freedom is a right you gotta fight for. Uh-oh…did I just end a sentence with a preposition. We...

Horse songs tend to have catchy rhythms. I guess it’s because of the hoofbeats. *rimshot* Thanks folks. I’ll be here all week. Be sure to tip your bartender and waitresses. Yes, I said waitresses. Don’t git yer stirrups all tangled up, pawtnuh. So, here’s the reason I brung up horse songs. Yesterday, Elgielene and I watched a video of Kristi Noem speaking. Regardless of how...

Opinions count. Not all of them, of course. But the ones that are tantamount to truth…those count. And, sadly, there are fewer and fewer of those kinds. Because there’s an assault on truth the likes of which America has never seen before. And people who are in rebellion against God attempt to blur facts and figures as often as they stir the synthetic cream into their coffee. But Truth...

I’m a word nerd. And I’m certain I was born that way. So, you need to just love and understand me. And accept me for the identification I choose for myself. OK, now that I’ve gotten that heated rant off my chest…I only brought it up because of an online dictionary. I just got off the Merriam-Webster website where I found the word of the day. And I wasn’t even looking...

When I was somewhere around 5 years old, I went on a long walk with my Grandmother. And we left her house totally out of sight as we journeyed to the grocery store. In my mind it was easily a walk between countries. Or at least to another state. But, as it turned out, the little mom and pop grocery store was only about 4 blocks away. And I remember my Grandmother telling me to stand up straight or...

It’s true. We Christians have a different perspective on life. So, we think different thoughts from the rest of the world. And that’s because we know ideas can have eternal consequences. So, we should think a different way. With a clear head. And with wisdom. Because it’s for sure that so-called “intellectuals” are constantly on the lookout for ways to trip us up. Way...

Even in this ridiculous and weird time in history, dreams come true. Not all. But enough of them that it still counts when somebody says “if you work hard, you can still achieve your dreams.” But right now you might be making someone else’s dreams come true. And that’s OK if you’re serving your fellow man. Because when you serve your fellow man, you can pursue your dr...

I remember studying America’s founding documents when I was in school way back in the twentieth century. And I remember something called the “Bill of Rights.” It must’ve been a big deal. Because teachers and politicians always talked about the freedoms it “gave” all Americans. And one of those was the freedom to assemble. Something about people freely getting to...

Check out this list of synonyms. P ublicity , advertising , promotion , marketing , puff , puffery , propaganda , exposure ; boost , push , fanfare , buildup ; informal plug , plugging , razzmatazz , and  ballyhoo . And I shared them with you because they’re all synonymous with moronic politicians. Because they want you to believe the hype that the world, as we know it, is gonna end in just...

This Magic Moment, a song written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, was a big hit for Ben E. King and the Drifters back in 1960. And I’ll bet they had no idea they actually created one of the billions of micro moments where certain demographics spend their time.  Yeah, I’m gonna call short, catchy songs what they are. Micro moments. When you listen to a song like that one from Ben E. Ki...

I enjoy watching Ray Comfort , from Living Waters, talk to people he meets “on the street.” Because he has an easy-going way of disarming them in order to share God’s love. He lives in California. But he’s originally from Australia. And I think his accent helps a little, too. Ray actually helps people understand they’re not all that and a bag of chips. But he does it...

31 years ago, today, a beautiful, petite, slender, tan woman said one word that changed my life. Of course, I’m sure I don’t have to tell you what that word was. But I’ll share it anyway. The word was “What?!” Just kidding. The word was “Yes.” Because I had just asked her if she wanted me to stop bothering her. Sorry, just kidding again. No, I had just ask...

We just watched an old Joel McCrea western last week. And that’s for one reason. Because there are no new Joel McCrea westerns. Joel moved on to that big ranch in the sky many moons ago. But that’s not actually the reason we watched the movie. It’s because we like his movies. And we like the good ol’ westerns. Because they remind us of how awesome America used to be. And co...

1938. It was a cold day in January. In rural Oklahoma. FDR was in the first year of his second term as president of the U.S. And a second daughter was born to a young couple named Lee and Syona. But it was also a time when America was still struggling to recover from the Great Depression. So, when the little family was ready to travel, they piled into their sedan and headed west to California. The...