An Ounce - For Your Consideration

Every child probably has a favorite toy. For each child, this may be different based on their circumstances and the culture they live in. What’s your favorite toy? When I was young, one of my favorites was Billy Blast-off. Billy Blast-off was an amazing toy set. The central piece was Billy. He stood about 4 inches tall, had arms that articulated at the shoulder and legs that articulated at the hip...

There was once a solitary man who purchased a farm. It was many years ago, and his new land was remote – far away from everyone. But he was happy with this. He had a good mule, a wagon, a rifle, and enough simple hardware and supplies until the seeds he planted were ready for harvest.  The solitary man was very capable. He knew how to plant and tend crops. He knew how to hunt for game. He looked f...

Jim and his twin brother Charlie were born on May 28th, 1888, in what is now Oklahoma. Just like everyone else his life was touched by joys, successes, defeats, and disappointments.  But, this young boy grew to greatness.  Jim spent much of his youth hunting and fishing with his dad and brother. He lived outdoors, observing, and learning to appreciate nature. He worked hard with his father, Hiram,...

A surprising story including horrific challenges and an unexpected twist. This story begins in Dutch town during world war 2 not long after the Germans invaded  Corrie ten Boom had become a well-respected watchmaker living a very quiet life. A self-described spinster in her 50’s lived in a 2-story home with her sister and elderly father. Life was good. It was simple, uneventful, and happy.  Find o...

You never know how people are going to react in times that are dramatic or shocking. Media and Movies show us expectations that seem legitimate, however, reality can be a bit different. When dramatic things happen, people don’t react the way you might think. At the moment or after they have a chance to process what happened. It's OK. And, it is important to let someone (including yourself) de...

This 'Bonus Episode' is a telling of a personal experience. Kirtley Freckleton relates her own story about how she created a vision for herself with a half-sized posterboard and a picture of a princess standing next to a regal horse. Well, anyone who knows Kirtley will probably already know she loves horses, so having a picture of a girl and a horse seems like a no brainer - 'of cou...

This famous story is incomplete... 'Listen, my children, and you shall hear Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere, On the eighteenth of April, in Seventy-five… ...Hang a lantern aloft in the belfry arch Of the North Church Tower as a signal light, - One, if by land, and two, if by sea;…   A fun story to hear written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow of the heroic adventure of the Famous Revolutiona...

Jim was a tall lanky young man, well-liked by everyone who knew him. Ever since he could remember he wanted to fly. In his younger years, he spent endless hours in the basement of the family home working on model airplanes, mechanical drawings, and chemistry. All with the aim of someday, becoming, a flyer. With his father's encouragement, he began to let go of his dreams of flying and applied...

We live in a restless world. Everyone moving so fast, working, carting the kids around, keeping appointments, earning, building, growing. Finding a way to move ahead, and get maybe get rich. Here’s a simple little story that will help us change our perspective a little. What is it to be 'rich'?

There is no doubt that showing off and having fun can be a thrill. And, sometimes there no reason not to.  But, Just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should.  Listen to a fun story about a couple of pilots and a vintage car enthusiast.

When he was born his mom and dad could immediately see he was different. Life for their son would be harder than it was for other boys. They may have mourned for him a little, and wondered what kinds of challenges they would have to see him face. They may have been concerned about how he would deal with being different. 

Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States of America. He led the nation through the perilous civil war and was re-elected to a second term.  Today, he is one of the most admired and popular presidents we’ve had. But, following the civil war about half the nation didn’t feel that way. The feelings of those in the south were still very raw, and some of them were not at all ready to...

Here’s the story of one seriously surprised mayor of Argonia,  Kansas. Elected mayor and the candidate didn’t even know their name was on the ballot. In 1887, the rules for elections did not require that the names of those on the ballot were made public until Election Day. The inclusion of this surprised candidate's name was done a prank, a joke, if you will, by political rivals trying to mak...

On October 8th, 1871 the Great Chicago fire took place. The blaze started sometime that evening on the cities southwest side. The area of origin was in or near a barn owned by Patrick and Catherin O’Leary. Legend says the fire was started when Mrs. O’Leary’s cow kicked over an oil lamp. This was denied by Mrs. O’Leary. The true cause of the fire has never been determined. Yes, October 8th was a bi...

COVID-19 Got you stuck in the house? Looking for something to do? Looking for something yummy to eat? You need to try this (truly) simple recipe for some super good 'sink-your-teeth-into-it -crusty-yummy-bread'. You probably have the ingredients in your pantry right now! You'll get a lovely and delicious round artisan loaf of bread that goes good with spreads, soups, salads, meats,...

Back in the early 1980s, I began training as a firefighter. A training session on searching buildings taught me a great life lesson. The scenario put two firefighters together to search a home and find the victim. My partner in this experience was a big Texan with even bigger feet. This exercise was meant to be as authentic as it was strenuous – and it succeeded on both counts. And, it is one of t...

This world has been blessed with some amazing talents. People who have had an incredible genius for science, leadership, and the arts – who have changed the trajectory of our world. Names like Einstein, Hawking, Churchill, The Beatles, Rembrandt, Shakespeare, and others. The hidden lives they lead, and the sometimes impossible challenges they face, are often something we never have in full view as...

You think you know people, and then, you learn stuff about them that changes everything. Be careful about what you choose to believe. That character you might label a cad might be a hero. That hero you thought you knew might be a real jerk – or might be both.  For example, I was rummaging around the internet and found a set of fun and amazing historical insights into the lives of former Presidents...

In 1937 Napoleon Hill published “Think and Grow Rich”, which includes the story we’ll cover in this episode. Napoleon Hill’s book, and his thesis, were groundbreaking at the time – and became a foundational document for the Self-improvement movement we are familiar with today. There are several lesson’s to learn from Mr. Hill’s little vignette about R. U. Darby beyond the obvious and powerful prin...

The purpose of this quick podcast is to separate fact from fiction and to give some useful prevention technics to avoid infection.

Our story this time is a surprising one about a man who in some ways a very unlikely hero. Wiley had a dream. He wanted to fly. in 1930, when Wiley was about 32 years old he finally owned his first plane. Most men might have felt they had finally arrived with wonderful little family, famous friends, and the ability to enjoy his dream of flying in his own plane.  Not Wiley. The indifferent student,...

This episode covers how to deal with and prevent emergencies related to locking yourself out of your car or home. Jeremy, the owner of Zippy Locks, is interviewed about relatively inexpensive preventative actions you can take to prevent emergencies that can be very costly and dangerous. He discusses why you should call a locksmith when you are locked out, why you should get to know a locksmith bef...

This time we’ve got an amazing story about a repeat competitor in the Boston marathon with an almost 40-year uninterrupted streak of participation. His name is Rick. But this man is unique because of more than his longevity on the running circuit. Along with his loving father, Eugene, who never wanted to be a runner. But, this father could see how much his son loved the experience. And, he was mot...

Agnes was her parent's choice of name for her when she was born to a Kosovar Albanian family in the summer of 1910. Little Agnes, who became Mother Teresa, worked tirelessly in the slums of Calcutta serving and loving those who were considered the worst and lowest of society. Her efforts inspired thousands. This woman so committed to peace, and to loving and serving the poor, was once asked t...

Who is smart, capable, wise, and loyal; and what works and what doesn't - based on past experience and generalization, you might guess. Our brains use generalization and stereotypes for a reason. These can be very helpful in guiding us through our lives. Our brains recognize patterns and help us make snap decisions and judgments constantly, sometimes without even realizing it. Best be careful...