Rhyme and Reason

My eloquence is subdued, tainted, and watered down by the second law of thermodynamics and a public school education. But I take heart in knowing that so is yours. Just kidding (a bit). But it’s true that we’re generally all less hearty and amazing human specimens than our ancestors. And I bring this up because, this morning, I’ve been thinking about the “Give me liberty&#8...

For some, the name Paul Revere might conjure up a band from back in the 60’s and 70’s. But it should bring to mind a great American and his famous “midnight ride.”   Paul Revere’s famous ride started at 10 p.m. And he didn’t actually ride alone. But those are minor details when it comes to spotlighting a true patriot. Because when you consider how the British ha...

They might not be household names you’ve ever heard. But if you’ve lived more than a couple of decades, you’ve probably heard them. And is it just me, or do those old Motown songs still make you wanna dance, too? Yeah, just play the first few bars of “I’ll Be There” and watch out. Feet don’t fail me now. And that’s just one of the awesome songs by La...

Today marks the 157th anniversary of a speech President Lincoln gave. So, I’m gonna share that whole Gettysburg Address with you with only a couple of comments.   Gettsysburg Address was short. And Lincoln was tall. Ok. So much for my couple of comments. (rimshot) But seriously. Honest Abe was able to sum up a whole lot of feeling and meaning in only 271 words. And I read that it only took h...

Just because it’s already been done doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t do it. And maybe you could even do it better. “It” isn’t the same thing for everybody. But “it”, for me, is music. So, I love to hear stories about people who took a song and made it their own.   This hit song, from 1956, had already been done. And imagine you wanna record...

Little kids can be so cruel. Makes you wonder where they get it. Right? And it’s always been that way. In fact, I remember, waaayyy back in the 20th century, when I was but a wee lad, kids would taunt other kids who cried about something. And if you listen real close, you might even hear ’em. “Crybaby crybaby na na na na na naaa.”   Wow. I bet you won’t find a crybaby...

When I was a full time road musician, I had to include country music in my repertoire so I could get more bookings. And I’ve never made it a secret that country music isn’t my favorite. But there are classics I’ve always enjoyed.   I remember it often surprised audiences when I would sing a hit song from a female artist. And I guess they thought guys were supposed to sing guy son...

Georgia seems to be on a lot of people’s minds right now. And by coincidence and chance, the song “Georgia On My Mind” (sung by the incomparable Ray Charles) went to number 1 on the charts on this day (November 14) back in 1960. Life is full of little twists and turns and coincidences like that. And it’s cool when they pop up. At least I get a big kick out of it. But lots o...

I just read a funny and coincidental story about a band named Johnny and the Moondogs. And I know you’ll get a kick out of this when I share the whole thing. Because it’ll give you some ammo for making fun of me. But I’m totally confident in my own skin. So, get ready to load up because here’s the rest of the story…   Johnny and the Moondogs lost a star search competi...

Happy Friday the 13th. And it’s another lucky day (in a long line of lucky days) for me. Because I get to just sit back, watch all the amazing sporting events on TV, drink lots of beer, and toast the power grid. Yeah! Ask anybody. And they’ll tell you. Oh yeah, that Tony’s a beer guzzling, sports watching couch potato.   Friday the 13th is a silly superstition. I mean…if it...

I remember a line from a movie, but I don’t remember which movie, that applies to current events. And if you remember which movie this came from, let me know, and I’ll be sure to share that update and give you credit for it. But anyway…in the movie, which was set back in the pioneer days, the main characters had just gone through enormous challenges. And endured terrible losses....

How can you decide to end the life of an entirely innocent human being and call that a pro choice? Because that’s not even a good amateur choice. And regardless of what any laws or policies or statutes say, it’s not right to have that power over someone else’s life. In fact, it’s immoral, immature, and immensely foolish. Plus, it’s a choice with eternal consequences....

Way, way back in the twentieth century, I attended college in the rural countryside of Kansas. And have you ever watched the episode of The Waltons where John boy finally got to go to college? Well, watching him is practically like watching me show up for my first day. Because the halls of higher learning held that same mystique of hopeful anticipation for me, too.   Higher learning ain’t al...

During this past week I read lost of news stories and social media posts about the way our American presidential election has progressed. Or should I say regressed? And it struck me how many people, on both sides, were surprised at what’s happened. But there’s a certain group of people I’d say this to: you should have known this could happen.   You should have known this could ha...

Life sure is full of weird and wonderful stuff. And I mean stuff you’d probably never make up on your own. At least, not if you don’t let your mind wander off to the dark side all the time. Like for example, through a series of links, for some embryo info, I saw a thumbnail for a horror/sci-fi movie on YouTube. It starred Rock Hudson. And it was called “Embryo.” So, that wa...

You could say it came to me in a dream. Because I woke up with this brilliant thought in my head. And before I could turn over and go back to sleep it formed into a brilliant strategy. And then I couldn’t go back to sleep and take even the slightest chance of forgetting it. Plus, this tiny voice kept whispering in my ear, “Tell the world. The answer is equal pay.” Why didn’...

Anyone who didn’t see this coming hasn’t been paying attention over the last several decades. And you know what I’m talkin’ about. Yeah, the price increases on sparkling water at 7 Eleven. How much does it cost to put some bubbles in the water? Are you kidding me?! OK, seriously. Of course I’m talking about the mixed up results of the American presidential election. W...

There’s a fast-growing cancer just under the surface of this world. It used to be held in check by a country known as the land of the free and the home of the brave. But the cancer is spreading like the western wildfires even in America. And there seems to be no cure. But I’d like to suggest that maybe God is the answer.   It sounds old-fashioned. But maybe God IS the answer. And when...

Hey ladies and gents. Kids of all ages. It’s time to play Beat The Clock and make your mark for all time. And this is the game where the stakes are high, the prizes are free, and losers never get another chance. Are you ready? Let’s Play!   But remember Beat The Clock doesn’t mean you’ll Beat The World. If history teaches you anything, and for most people it doesn’t,...

I got a real nice note, in the mail, from my cousin, Becky. She lives in Texas. And she was here in Colorado, with her family, a couple of months ago. But we didn’t get together because she thought I still lived in the Denver metro area. And Elgielene and I moved to Colorado Springs a few years ago. Oh well. That’s life sometimes. But the part of the note that really stood out to me wa...

Did you see the movie “Ghost”with Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore? The silly plot to the movie was that Patrick’s character was murdered but he didn’t immediately leave the planet. And he didn’t go to Heaven or hell. Because, according to the plot, he had to make sure his true love, Demi’s character, would be safe. But one thing that stood out, to me, was how when...

Some say the way you write says a lot about you. And I don’t mean the words you choose. I’m talking about the way you push your pen. I recently read an article that said if you write with an irregular style, you’re dealing with chaos in your life. And if you use a lot of circles, you’re feeling defensive. But I didn’t find anything in the analysis charts that talked a...

OK, I’ll admit it. I’m human. And at least a part of me doesn’t like to be told I’m wrong. Sure, I’m the only person in the world who feels this way. Yeah, right. But the truth is…Truth needs to (and will) win out over feelings. Even mine. If and when they disagree with Truth. So, that’s why it’s crucial to be able to take criticism and rebuke. Other...

There’s a reason food tastes better when it’s seasoned with salt. Because salt is tasty. And it’s the most versatile seasoning on the planet. And it doesn’t hurt that it’s essential to your health. Wow, is anybody else getting a hankering for some sea-salted snacks right about now?   When your snacks are seasoned with salt, make sure it’s good salt. “Oh br...

Let’s jump into my virtual time machine and zoom back to the third quarter of the twentieth century. As the years zoom past the concave, heat resistant time machine windows, notice the fashion and hairstyle changes. And the cars starting to look bigger, wider, and boxier. And, then we slow down and ease up to our destination. A large, secular high school at the north edge of Pasadena, Texas....