An Ounce - For Your Consideration

 I had a conversation the other day with someone. We spoke of our concern over the rising generations, and their inability to socialize. Everything for them now is online. It's virtual. In fact, in today’s world, if you’re not virtual, you’re not real.  Well as a benefit to the socially handicapped, and a reminder to everyone else, we (my wife Tish and I) thought we’d share a few ideas on how...

 We used to sardonically say, it’s all fun and games until somebody pokes an eye out.  I suppose it was an unintentional nod to the fact that fun is often associated with the thrill of taking a chance, and facing danger, while protected from the real consequences. Otherwise, why do some of us love haunted houses, roller coasters, skydiving, and so many other sports and diversions that involve a pe...

 In observing the situation, it was clear that the passenger was unhappy, but certainly not a threat. After all, how much fight could there possibly be in this little lass? The fact that she had already proven to be fiery was no longer evident. However, it quickly became clear that she knew how to take care of herself in a brawl. As all of a sudden what had appeared to be nothing more than a simpl...

 Maine Native, and Ship's Captain Hanson Crockett Gregory was a man’s man.   As a very young man, he worked as a cabin boy, and in time became a well-respected Captain of his own ship. He sailed routes all around the world, from New England to California during the gold rush. And even around the infamous Cape Horn and the southern tip of Africa.  Captain Gregory was notable as a hero for savi...

 Being misunderstood is pretty easy in this world. Even when we are clear and speak the same language.  I don’t know, but if you are a politician, you might be doing this on purpose, and counting on having people hear a clear message you didn’t actually give.  No matter what you say, or how ‘accurately’ you think you say it, even using mathematical precision. Someone will miss the point – hear som...

 What is paradise to you?  White sands and a blue ocean – Mountain peaks, pine trees, and smore’s – A quiet library surrounded by great books.  Life can, and does, turn from one to the other – and contains both at the same time.  So, what are we to do?   The only thing we can – as a society and as individuals - Doggedly focus on the good that is, the possibilities of greatness that can be, and get...

 At the end of the battle of Shiloh, a legend was born. A folk tale. Some might call it a miracle. The battle was fought on April 6th and 7th, 1862, when the confederate army launched an attack on the Union army. The confederates attacked from out of the woods, near the Shiloh church in Tennessee. And they just kept coming.  The carnage continued for 2 days. Over 20,000 were killed or wounded. And...

 We go through life trying so hard to get things right.  For example, you’d never want to confuse salt for sugar in your chocolate chip recipe.  And, forgetting to tighten up the lug nuts after changing a tire could be catastrophic as well. Or hitting the send button on that caustic email you composed out of frustration – it wouldn’t be the first time someone regretted that move.   But, not all mi...

As a passenger on the rapidly speeding, express train of life, are we aware of the sacrifices that were made to benefit our lives? By soldiers, pioneers, and countless other committed souls who came before us, and choose to commit their honor and their lives to do what needed to be done. There will always be ample reason for gratitude.

Ever heard of Shavarsh Katapetyan?  You might have. Shavarsh is a champion swimmer from the 1970s. His sport? As an athlete, he started as a gymnast then transitioned to Fin Swimming.  Fin Swimming – I know – there are several sports we’ve perhaps never heard of that are quite popular elsewhere in the world. (Such as the rather ancient, but recently rediscovered sport of curling)   In 1976 Katapet...

None of us is going to escape facing things that will mightily try us. But, if continue to breathe through them, anger, disappointment, broken hearts, frustration, and overwhelming disappointment, can all be overcome – in time.  How do we go on when disappointment, despair, and anguish of so many kinds can - and do - find us?  Along with whatever else you do may I suggest these four steps: Step on...

As babies, many of us had the privilege of being completely unaware of the efforts of others to keep us alive. Our understanding of dangers, political intrigue, war, and natural disasters, betrayal, was absolutely non-existent. It took us years to mature and grow to the point of understanding the currency of the world – the currency of love was hopefully all we knew – and it was more than enough....

This is a reformatted version of a story used in Season 2, Episode 13, I Don’t Know.  I was sweating profusely. I couldn’t see a thing. My hands could feel the difference between rough or smooth, hot or cold. My heart was racing, breathing was hard – like sucking air through a straw. My ears were full of so much noise I couldn’t hear what was being said – let alone say anything anyone could unders...

Something that seems to pervade almost every culture - and personality on this earth - is how much we hate to make mistakes. Reactions to ‘getting it wrong’ can go from completely ‘losing face’ to simple embarrassment or ridicule, loss of credibility, or standing with piers. Sometimes, I fear it may be unfortunate we treat mistakes this way – as folks tend to have a hard time owning up to them. Th...

If you can believe it - there are a whole lot of folks in this world who’ve never tried baseball. Even in a place like the US where we’ve been playing for years. Really. Hitting a baseball is pretty simple. All you have to do is swing a baseball bat in a manner that places the bat at the precise location, and at the precise moment to cause the bat and the ball (which is moving very rapidly through...

Humans and animals have always had a relationship of some kind. Domesticated animals are trained to work and be companions, or as pets, and they fill many other roles as well.  And baboons have a documented history as far back as the ancient civilizations of Egypt of being adopted by humans, and then trained to be ox cart drivers and herdsmen. And in this case, as a railroad laborer.

Dale lived a very uncomplicated life. He never married and didn’t have any children. He grew up poor. Dale worked for 67 years for the same company. He was a carpenter. Dale was a regular churchgoer. And, Dale Schroder was a very frugal man, a blue-collar guy, with very simple needs. He was not highly educated. He was not all that sophisticated. And, he was certainly not famous. Most humans will a...

Here in the desert southwest, around the end of February and early March, as the sun lasts a little longer in the sky, the lizards begin to spend more time in my backyard. I’ve got a story to tell you that may well have happened right there, as I soaked in some warmth on the back porch swing. We have a block wall fence the lizards seem to enjoy crawling up on top of to take in the warmth. I watche...

I have an experience to share. One for which words will be a poor substitute for reality. Yet, it was so amazing we’re going to give it a shot. Back around 2010, I had the chance to travel to Peru for about 10 days. The trip was with my brother and a group that provides training for pre-hospital and hospital professionals and volunteers. While there, our little group had a chance to make a trip to...

Because we all have different experiences, genetics, predispositions, history, fears, values, and objectives – you and I, we all will at some point act in a way that others will see as a bit nuts. And, they may be right, So remember the next time you see somebody do something stupid – They probably had a completely rational and reasonable reason for doing it.

Life today seems to be ever-changing. Things constantly shifting. Society changes constantly. Values, ethics, and even interpretations of history. Heroes are portrayed as villains. Scoundrels are represented as virtuous. In some cases, even the truly evil is twisted to embody good. Big cities shrink, small ones grow. Technology, so-called “settled” science transforms. I’ve got a little story that...

Our world today is filled with so much information. Broadcast media, the internet, and books are everywhere. There is more information at our fingertips today than ever before. But, it might be a mistake to mistake a plethora of information for facts or truth – “Not everything you find on the internet is true” – I believe that’s a quote from Napoleon Bonaparte that I found on the internet. I’m sur...

William decided he needed to be tough enough to take care of himself in a fight. As a teenager, he became involved in golden gloves boxing. And he excelled in this effort. His record on the circuit was 22 and 1. On his 24th match, he got his nose broken, and decided it was time to find something else to do. His passion lay elsewhere. Though he was plenty bright and his teachers described him as a...

The dreaded ‘Love Triangle’. Absolutely no one ever wants to be caught in a Love Triangle. Wisdom and time have proven that the Love Triangle always ends badly.  According to recent surveys, it is a situation considered even worse by 9 out of 10 hopeless romantics than finding out there are murder hornets in the neighborhood. And 98.7% of all relationship counselors contend a Love Triangle should...

Have you ever watched the actions or behavior of someone and thought to yourself, “that’s is so wrong”?  It’s likely that you don’t really understand where their perspective, or perhaps the context of the act. It may be what you saw is perfectly justified by what you didn’t see – and didn’t know. I can say with confidence that making assumptive judgments based on uninformed guesses can get you int...