An Ounce - For Your Consideration

Did you know that the driest desert on this earth has not received any precipitation for as long as 2 million years?  You’d think it must be hot, and dry, and oppressive.  And, well dry – yes. Oppressive – maybe. Hot – not even. The driest deserts on earth are found in Antarctica. Ice and Snow cover about 98% of the continent,  leaving 1-2% permanently ice free. These ice free spots are dry valley...

Everybody love’s bunnies. Rabbits are ubiquitous. Soft, Cuddly, Cute.  But is it possible to have too much of a good thing?  Rabbits are found in multiple environments – from desert to mountain… or as a stuffed plush, may be snuggled up tight to a sleeping child.  On another - they can be great sport to hunt, and can be prepared to be downright tasty. Just ask Elmer Fudd (and if you don’t know who...

I have observed as many of us participate in one of the biggest, and most well know, consumer events in the United States. That magical Friday after Thanksgiving when folks line up in the early morning hours outside their favorite stores to get a shot at amazing deals on the newest hot toy, electronics, and other items with prices cut to the bone.  Retailers in brick-and-mortar stores, and online...

The heart of a human can – and sometimes does – just stop. It can be a chronic condition that worsens over time; or an acute event that suddenly, catastrophically, just happens.  Its potential causes are legion. Some we can take precautions against – some strike out of the blue.  When heart failure happens, it is possible to recover. But recovery is certainly not guaranteed, and it is not easy; no...

The date of the release of this episode is Friday, December 2, 2022. In 5 days, December 7th, it will be 81 years since the attack on Pearl Harbor. This surprise attack was the impetus that pulled the America into World War 2. When considering the history of The United States of America, December 7th, 1941, like September 11, 2001, is a day that can never be forgotten. Within the conflict of World...

 I’ve got a familiar story for you. Yes – familiar, but not the one you might be thinking of as you hear the tale.  Back when the rich took time to ‘dress’ for dinner, when no female would ever consider wearing pants, and long before air travel was practical. Back in the glory days of trans-Atlantic travel - there was a ship. A ship built bigger and grander than any other. It was an engineering ma...

Ever heard the old saying lighting never strikes twice. A phrase, that I suppose, was meant to covey that extraordinary things only happen once. That rare circumstances and happenings just don’t repeat.  And, if you ask the odds makers, they’d likely agree. There are plenty of things that, if they ever do happen, will probably only happen once. In fact, I suspect there are many who would tell you...

A story told by Maria Jackson, about a family trip to the Redwoods, of California, USA.  Maria briefly recounts the trip, the sights, and the three lessons - or ounces - she and her family took from the experience. This episode was recorded through Zoom, and some of the audio quality is not up to par. My Apologies - But, the story is worth a listen!

This is a bonus episode, practical Bit 3, an interview with Wil Becker. The interview introduces a resource that I think this audience will appreciate.  Wil Becker is promotes books and other media from which we can learn lessons and gain wisdom. In the interview, Wil shares some of his favorite books, and explains why they had an impact on him. He also recounts an experience where he used the kid...

Life in the United States is amazing. I know that in this day and age, there are many who might disagree for one reason or another. And, it is true that this society falls short of perfection.  There were times in the past when things were different. When the culture was different that what we know now. When things happened in the past, that we might look by today's norm’s with amazement or d...

 Not every detail matters.  The subtle difference between the fire brick red, and chili red, isn’t much.  The difference between lukewarm, and tepid, probably not perceivable.  And the difference between 20 and 21 miles an hour – hardly worth noting – unless you are doing 21 in a school zone.  Yes, there are instances where very small things make all the difference. What we might perceive as a tin...

 Like most humans, I am a creature of comfort. I love to be in an environment that is familiar and secure. My backyard. On the couch watching a good show with my wife snuggled in at my side. Laughing at my grandkids as they run around willy-nilly laughing at each other and playing. I take great comfort and joy in good, savory snacks, and sweet deserts.  I’m guessing almost everyone can relate to t...

A part of the human condition is that there will always be something with which we will struggle. It is common to all, rich and poor, those with privilege and those without. Even in the lives of those who seem to have the perfect life – there will be struggle of some sort. Internal, or external and visible to all. Things that seem, in our perspective of another life, as small. Or challenges that a...

While living in a rural section of the Northern Shenandoah Valley, my family occasionally had the chance to see the beauty of an ice storm. The way the sunlight would stream in and bend color around the trees, fences, and every other surface was breathtaking.  However, it wasn’t all beauty. Ice storms were commonly accompanied by power outages and a large number of auto accidents. During and after...

A shocking tale about 2 rather outstanding characters who lived during the 1800s. One hailed from New England – The other all the way across the continent in the west.  This Two Tale’ed legend begins with the romance of gunslingers, outlaws, and lawmen in the untamed west. Among characters like Butch Cassidy, Jesse James, and Wyatt Earp, there was one known as One Eyed Charley – Some preferred to...

Have you ever considered how the things we do, the choices we make, and the experiences we have tended to follow us through our whole life.  Experience informs the perspectives we have, and the choices we make.  And in most cases, the path we’ve taken illuminates our presence. When we meet folk’s, there is always a first impression of who they are. Sometimes we’re wrong, and we have to allow our u...

In an interview with Susan Meehan a discussion about the deeper meanings which are found in a few profound words. Short phrases from literature, conversation, and in this case scripture. Those potential 'deeper meanings' are discussed and considered in the episode with an eye to listening more completely, looking past just words, to what those words might imply.  It's a fun, but imp...

Susan Mehan shares an amusing family story. It is about something that happened when here kids were a bit younger. A story they often re-tell when they get together and always laugh at. The ones that begin with, "Remember that time...." Every family has a few stories about improbable events. Some that were funny from the start, and some that might have been a rough at the time. But, eith...

Have you looked around you lately? Our world is a mess!  I don’t know how anyone can watch the news anymore. In the picture painted there, it seems like the world is on a path of self-destruction. We are exploding with religious, political, and cultural differences. There are riots. Churches and Court houses being set on fire.  There is another vision available. A perspective that is powerful and...

NO! If you want to get a Boo-boo face from a young child, that’s the word you use – NO.  To the child it means they are not getting what they want, they’ve done something wrong, and they might even be in trouble.  NO – whether we like it or not, we are conditioned from infancy to feel that the word NO like it’s a club smacking us over the head. Nobody ever wants to hear the word NO, nyet, uhn ah,...

You know, those moments in life. The one’s where you can just stop, be in the now, and soak in the joy. No troubles, no pain, no loss, no worries. They don’t seem to last more than a moment or two. And then, in a twinkle, we are back in the real world.  Wouldn’t it be nice if we could just stay there, in that instant, where everything seems right. If we could just make it last. If we could just ha...

 There are times when what we see right there in front of us tells a simple and clear story. The evidence in front of us is so certain, so obvious, it is easy to understand. But, it’s always a good idea to look a little further. It might be the things you haven’t seen – that are very much a part of the story – that will complete the picture, and give you real understanding.   Sometimes the hidden...

 Things change as we grow.  The perspective and innocence of a child progresses to the all-knowing confidence of a teenager. And from there, the confusion of the 20 something trying to find a purpose, a career, a family, and a direction. In middle age, we seek that deeper peace and a meaning for life, as we look over our shoulders at what came before. Finally, we get to a point where - either ever...

Two similar events occurred, separated by over half a century. Both were devastating. In one case, folks were just trying to go home. They didn’t want to hurt anyone.  In the other, there was evil intent. This story will leave you questioning the old adage which states, 'the road to hell is paved with good intentions'.

Commitment is an interesting thing. One can be “kinda” committed to a cause, and might even show up to be involved sometimes – if it’s convenient. But such is not real commitment.  However, real and complete commitment is a dedication that just keeps trying. It never stops, it gives everything it has, there are no excuses. Being totally committed to something is powerful.   Until you dedicate your...