Rhyme and Reason with Tony Funderburk

No, I haven’t taken up golfing. So, the one stroke I speak of is the kind of stroke you don’t wanna get even once. But on April 17, yeah, just last month, I had one sneak up on me and knock me down pretty hard. That one stroke, put me in the ICU and rehab for three weeks. It’s one thing to read about, or watch what someone deals with in a movie, or hear somebody tell a story abou...

It’s Wednesday. So, you know what I’m thinkin’ about. No, not burgers. Well, not JUST burgers. I’m also thinkin’ about being a wise guy. And I know you’ve heard what the first step is. Right? Yeah, wisdom is knowing when to speak. Well, that’s what “they” say. But I say, wisdom is also knowing when NOT to speak. Here’s an example of when...

A social media friend of mine shared a link to a video of John Wayne throwing a kid into deep creek. Actually it was John Wayne playing the title character from the movie, Hondo. And the movie was based on the book, by the same name, written by Louis L’Amour. His books were partly the products of imagination and largely a part of Mister L’amour’s exceptional ability to visualize...

All I said was, “Thank you for your help.” But I said it to a faker. An AI tool. And it took over 2200 words to figure out how it would respond to my thanks. Enjoy the full Vulcan journey. Or tldr it and skip to the end. The user’s question is “Thank you for your help” Which seems like a polite closing statement rather than a question that requires an answer. However,...

Back To The Future. I’d say there’s a good chance you saw that movie. So, you probably remember that certain song by Huey Lewis and the News. The power of Love. It’s catchy. Huey sings it well. And it’s got a good beat. But the Power of Love song is just a song. The real POWER of love I’m always harpin’ on is only found in one place. And that place is actually o...

I woke up this morning and saw the same stories in the news again. Too many fires. And too many people with questions. And not many who shared how Living Water is the answer. So, you know what that means. Too many more fires to come. But this ain’t about too many fires burning down forests, prairies, or houses. It’s about a focus on problems when you should be focused the solution. A l...

There I stood. In between the guitar player’s loud amp and the drummer’s crash cymbal. That’s where my equipment had been placed on a stage in front of business executives. Things had already fallen behind a bit. So, there was no time to rearrange anything. So, that’s where I was for an hour and a half. And take my advice. If you ever get the chance to be in that position, pass it up....

So, this catchy tune popped into my head this morning. And I thought, “Hmm, that might go real nice with some lyrics I wrote a few years ago.” Then, I sat down in my vocal booth and fired up the studio mic. And I hummed along with a salsa beat as pictures of avocado bliss danced in my head. If you never enjoy avocado bliss, you need a taste buds tuneup. And surely you’d like some...

This world is getting darker and meaner every day. And there are fewer kids doing wholesome kid stuff with each passing year. But I think you’ll find that the sights and scents of a flower garden can still attract kids almost as much as they attract bees. So, stop what you’re doing and make the most of it. So what if you had an appointment. Be a little late. So what if you’re on...

X marks the spot where I read what a homeschool mom said about the idea that homeschooled kids don’t get enough social interaction. She said: Homeschooled kids: leave their homes, talk to people, read books, play sports, go to dances, play instruments, debate, create art, work jobs, drive cars, build things, perform science experiments, and grow up to live in the real world. And then she fin...

There are lots of bad guys (and that includes the female part of “guys” too) out there everyday. You can’t swing a metal jump rope without hittin’ at least one. In fact, I could tell you a story, three stories in fact, that happened one after another on three consecutive nights way back in the 20th century. Well, I’ll just share the short version of the first one. I w...

Maybe you think of “A Christmas Story” when I share the term, BB gun. Or maybe you remember wanting one yourself once upon a time. Hopefully you’re not a scaredy cat who’s triggered (pun definitely intended) by any use of the word gun. Whatever you think of, I’ve got a funny story about a goofy BB gun. Once or twice upon a time Dad brought home a pellet rifle, he&#821...

Do these sound like masculine traits? Decisiveness, assertiveness, and confidence? I think they certainly SHOULD sound like masculine traits. And I believe those traits can be instilled into boys in ways that help them develop leadership skills. Let me ask you this? Do you think that’s happening in America these days? I don’t. At least not as a rule. Only as the exception. The general...

Faith over fear. Make that your motto. Your creed. Or the sticky note you put on your computer. Whatever works. Here’s one reason, I found in an article, about why it’s a good idea: Because faith over fear Promotes Positive Action Over Paralysis Hmm…sounds a little psychoanalytical. But here’s the rest of what they said: “Faith encourages proactive behavior and resili...

Ipecac. No, I’m not talking about the story of the headless horseman. I’m talking about syrup. And this ain’t from Aunt Jemima or even Cousin T’s. Ipecac syrup is some kinda tough stuff. In fact, ipecac is what they use in medical situations (poisonings, etc.) to induce vomiting. So, obviously it’s not something your body needs or wants. And yet, would you believe peo...

Here’s the three-step process a hypocrite uses to become one. Point finger. Say stuff. Play the sound of their own voice back in their head. Now. Who’s ready to start with step one? Point finger. Hmm. I see no hands raised. And, as Martha Steward used to say, that’s a good thing. Because I know you’re like me. We’ve all certainly done things, in this life, we’re...

Regardless of what happens today, this weekend, or ever, hold on to the Truth. And just in case you didn’t catch it (but I bet you did), I capitalized the word, Truth. And I just did it again. Because I’m not talking about the truth that can be so manipulated in this world filled with lies and AI’s. It’s crucial to hold on to THE Truth, now, more than ever. Because now, more than ever, that Truth...

Imagine yourself walking up to two big doors one cold morning in January. The door on the left is pure craftsmanship. It’s a rich, cobalt blue with pure silver handles and hinges. There’s a leaded crystal, mirrored window just high enough that you can only see the top of your head. The door on the right appears to be made of old, cracked, and peeling barn wood. The hardware is rusted,...

Anyone who truly knows me might tell you, if cornered, that I’m definitely anti touchy feely ushy-gushy stuff. So, I make it a point to write books for kids with a good balance of love AND strength. And I believe that’s the example you can see in the bestselling life manual of all time. Yeah, God overflows with both love and strength. And I’m confident I’ll be at my best wh...

You know the time between dates is measurable. So, I know you know those measurements are called days or weeks or months or years, etc. Because those are the words we use to describe measurements of time. Alright. I think we’re good on that. But wait. Some people think there’s not time between dates. Uh-oh. I think I just kicked my figurative toe on a figurative can of figurative worms...

Music isn’t the only thing that makes you human. And it’s not even the main thing. But music is real. And that’s true even though it’s totally invisible and void. You can’t hold it, touch it, or physically feel it. So, it’s an amazing and complicated marker, among many markers, for what makes us human. Music is real and everybody knows it. Unless you’re de...

He showed up with a servitude heart. And that was no small detail. Because he was actually a king. No, that’s not quite accurate. He was THE king. Of the whole universe, in fact. But He showed up here in our dirty, little world with a mission to make things right. And His actions, over and over, proved He came here to serve, not BE served. The ultimate model of a servitude heart. And it make...

A while back I shared some hillbilly ideology I found online. And it got some funny additional comments and feedback. Recently somebody asked if I would share it again. So, yeah, I’m glad to oblige. And the picture that went along with the text is a big part of what made me read through. Because it was an old guy with long and gray hair. He sat on a tree stump and held a large, single-shot r...

I hope you avoid the boomer pharmacy like the plague (How do you like my ironic twist of a phrase, there?). If you’re not a boomer, then obviously that reference doesn’t apply to you. But no matter. Because whatever Gen this or Gen that you are, I hope you also avoid the pharmacy trap. My guess is, you won’t. Tragically the boomer pharmacy already has too many members. And I say...

One week in (as of tomorrow). So how did 2025 start out for you? Has one week in been healthy? I hope so. Because you need your health. It’s not just something that’s nice to have around. It’s the core essential to anything you do. But, as I’ve said for decades, your health is best served by YOU. So, put down that diet cola (super awful for you) and repeat after me. I want...