Rhyme and Reason

Answers and insights. Those were the promises of search technology in the age of information. And the promises have been kept. But, at the same time, corruption crept in. Just like it always has in the endeavors of mankind.   Type in a word or phrase for instant answers and insights. Yeah, you can trigger ideas just by typing letters, words, and phrases into your search bar. Because Google (and ot...

Dobie Gray sang “Drift Away.” And it was a big hit for him back in 1973. I remember I liked the song, a lot, from the very first time I heard it. And I think it was Conway Twitty who did a country version of the song. But I disliked that one from the very first time I heard it. Sorry, but his voice and style go against the grain of my musical taste.   Anyway…Drift Away Yeah, that...

Well, it’s December 2020. And it’s the best month of the year to end 2020 with. And not just because it’s both national egg nog month AND national impaired driving prevention month. Even that alone would make it super duper unique. But also because of its historical significance. December is full of important days. Like today, the first day of the month. This is Eat A Red Apple D...

I read a headline, somewhere online today, that said Wikipedia has become another leftist so-called “source of information.” What?! I’m totally aghast. And in mind-blown shock. Not. And then, as fate, destiny, and kismet would have it, I saw a Wikipedia article on the old saying, “Might makes right.” And what a lot of hooey. So, allow me to shed some salt and light on...

OK. I’m gonna give you the keys to self-empowerment today. And they’re found in these four words. Forgive everyone for everything. Do that, and you’ll be a god. But… Forgive everyone for everything and you won’t be like God. Because, just in case you’ve read the Bible and somehow believe God forgives everyone, here’s news hot off the analog and digital pre...

I’ve always believed it’s a good idea to be nice to nurses. And doctors and other medical practitioners. Because they have to see and deal with a lot of the ugly side of life. And death.   But especially be nice to nurses. Just imagine having the job of caring for people who moan and groan. And complain and gripe. Sometimes it’s an 8 hour day. But other times the work days can be...

Liberty and justice for all. Remember those words? Yeah, they seem vaguely familiar. Oh yeah, I remember now. Aren’t they the last words in the American Pledge of Allegiance. But who is this “ALL” they’re talking about?   Liberty and justice for all means everybody. Not just the people who can speak the pledge. But even people who can’t speak. Or hear. Or see. And eve...

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...