PITSTOP PIONEERS

In a recent conversation, I reflected on my journey over the past few years, especially through the most challenging season of my life. Looking back, I realize how far I’ve come. Life is unpredictable, and none of us can fully prepare for dramatic changes, regardless of our strength, education, or circumstances. We must confront whatever challenges arise. I often wonder how people navigate these d...

Aging is part of life’s journey, and despite our efforts to resist it, we cannot escape its progression. This brings forth specific challenges, particularly when we consider the aging members of our family. The question often arises about who will provide care for them, and if we recognize that we too will someday be in their position, we may begin to view this issue differently. Depending on indi...

Just when you think the snow from the last storm is finally melting away, it returns, and this time, there’s even more of it. This winter feels like the longest and coldest I can remember. Despite the challenges of frigid temperatures and the endless task of shoveling snow, there’s a beauty in the serene landscape created by the thick blanket of snow, which transforms everything into a calm and pe...

In many places, nature is defined by four seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. These seasons often reflect phases in our lives, guiding us in understanding our current circumstances. Recognizing the season we are in can help us navigate life more effectively. Each season also brings its own unique foods, highlighting the different produce we enjoy throughout the year. From a commercial stand...

Like many of us, we often create plans for various aspects of our lives, which is generally beneficial. However, it’s common for some of these plans to face interruptions and not come to fruition as intended. How do we navigate these changes? Personally, I believe in the principle that having a plan is important, yet also remaining flexible to change the plan is crucial. Nevertheless, some adjustm...

I enjoy spending time outdoors, so when I received an invitation to dinner during a snowstorm, two thoughts immediately crossed my mind. First, I love food and didn't want to miss out on the opportunity, and second, when else would I have the experience of walking in a snowstorm to talk about it later? So, I decided to suit up, faced and braced the elements, and ventured out for an hour and si...

Life is unpredictable, much like the weather. Yet, there appears to be a recurring ten-year cycle for significant snowstorms in the Northeast. I remember the last major storm vividly, and as I write this, we are currently enduring another one. Amid the white powder that is falling down, cold winds and the ice that forms on the ground due to the frigid temperatures, along with the efforts of saltin...

Baking bread offers a unique experience that stands apart from regular cooking or baking. It has a primal quality that resonates deeply, requiring only four essential ingredients: water, salt, yeast, and flour. This simple process fosters a connection to the earth, reminding us of the origins of these basic yet vital components, and the result is not only delicious but also profoundly satisfying....

Good to be back! I know it’s been a while, but sometimes you need to take a break for various reasons, and trust me, I have have my own. Yesterday, I stepped outside, removed my shoes and socks, and placed my feet on the ground. It’s a wonderful sensation and quite humbling as it reminds me of my origins, formed from the earth and thus connected to it. As I sat down and surveyed my surroundings, I...

What’s important in life? This question came up during a conversation with a friend, and here is his response: 1. Peace and quiet. 2. Food, good food. 3. Friends and Family. I totally agree with these priorities, and I believe they align closely with the values of Hobbits. Thus, I can confidently say that I am a Hobbit. To illustrate this, I turn to a quote from Bilbo Baggins: “It has been remarke...

I recorded this a while ago and intended to share it sooner, but I needed some rest and more sleep. Having spent much of my life trying to change the world, I learned that I needed to slow down to foster change first within myself, which takes time. Life is a marathon, not a sprint, so rest is essential. Sleep, then, is not weak, but if neglected will make us weak! Join the conversation! Godspeed,...

Twenty Thousand runners for this year’s Rocky Run in Philly, and our team Double Soft & Sassy was among them. What an amazing experience it was, even though our main team member was missing. Yes, Billy Balboa was not able to make it, but we still made it all the way to the finish line because we ate lightning… Join the conversation! Godspeed, Tom #eatlightning #eatlightningcrapthunder #doubles...

Get out of your box, whatever box that is and go out there… because like JRR Tolkien said “The world isn't in your books and maps, it's out there”. And what a beautiful world it is! Join the conversation! Godspeed, Tom #itsoutthere #billysbox #getoutofthebox #outofthebox #outofcomfortzone #lovetheoutdoors #lovebeingoutside #aroundthetable #lifearoundthetable #homecookedmeal #stopandsmelltheflowers...

A team is only as good as its team members and let me tell you Double Soft & Sassy has it all. And we are ready to take it to the streets of Philadelphia for the upcoming Rocky Run, because we’ve put in the work; training, practice runs, yes, the whole 9 yards. Obviously, every athlete has his own personal training program and technique. Leading the pack with his unique and unconventional appr...

For those of you who have kids, you won’t be surprised at the creativity that they possess. And that creativity can come in many different forms. The one I want to point out is the creativity with words. There have been many made-up or created words that my kids came up with and maybe you are reminded right now by some that your kids came up with as well… However, the one I want to share with you...

Billy is getting ready for a run, and it’s not just any kind of run, no, it is THE run, the Rocky run. And let me tell you, he not only started to practice getting in shape for the big day, but he also actually started to like to run… matter of fact he loves running. So, if you want to come to Philly this November and see Billy Balboa flying up those stairs, come and join Double Soft & Sassy....

Sometimes you got nothing and in due time you got something… or even everything. And the trick is to wait for something or everything to come, because you can’t force it. It comes when it needs to come and that is not the way we like it. However, for me something came through a conversation, yes, a conversation with the one and only Bill Marino. Thanks for being an inspiration, Billy Boy Billy! Jo...

I am grateful for feedback and comments. Thank you, Tonya Myers, (@tonyamyers24354) for letting me know why fall is full of colors. However, what I forgot to add is, that I am all for hibernation during the winter season. Wake me up in the spring:-). Join the conversation! Godspeed, Tom #fallstruecolors #fallscolors #dontmissit #favoriteseason #favoritetimeoftheyear #fullofcolors #truecolors #chlo...

Words are quite something, I am telling you. I remember my kids coming up with new words when they were younger, words that I am still using to this day. Asshoke was not one of them. And even though I have no idea what an Asshoke is, it sounds… well, interesting and I think the word has potential. It remains to be seen what will become of it... Join the conversation! Godspeed, Tom #whatanasshoke #...

Pumpkins are everywhere right now. It seems like they just pop up before the summer is even over. Listen, I like pumpkins like any other guy, but some of the hype is a bit much for me. However, I got some pumpkins for decoration and thought them beautiful but had to come to terms with the fact that not everyone appreciates my style of decoration! Join the conversation! Godspeed, Tom #pumpkinsgalor...

If it would be up to me I would just love to jump from Spring into Fall and hit repeat. Fortunately where I live there are four seasons and I think that’s just the way it supposed to be. However, there are also seasons in life, that we just would love to jump, especially if we face a dry or unfruitful season, or when there is little; or simply nothing. And even that needs to be OK. Because if you...

Every year it happens and most of the time it happens too fast, and if we don’t pay attention then we’ll miss it… the changing of the seasons; from summer to fall. The trick is to do nothing else but watch and enjoy this beautiful transformation happening all around us. All you need to do is to go out there and see it unfold. Make sure you don’t miss it! Join the conversation! Godspeed, Tom #dontm...

For most of us life is busy and we tend to race through life, instead of just walking. Therefore, we should stop once in a while and take a step back before we keep going. Because if we don’t, we might miss a lot of things; little things, good things which enrich not only those around us, but us. So let’s stop and let God, who promises us to be with us in whatever we face and go through in life, w...

Time for another intermission, the stuff in between! And talking about stuff, well, there’s also some stuff in the pipeline that I am excited about and can’t wait to share with you. THANK YOU for watching and listening and for being on this journey with me. If a PITSTOP PIONEERS episode speaks to you, share it with a friend! Join the conversation! Godspeed, Tom #hello #intermission #inbetween #tak...

Stories are important, especially if they come from sources that lived through a time in history. What a privilege to listen to eyewitnesses who can give us an account of what happened years ago, which can help us to appreciate the freedom we have today. In this case it’s the account of a WW2 veteran, who flew 38 missions. Facing horror and peril, yet not once did he or his team complain about the...