In a news video recently, I saw an anti-mask protester holding a sign that said, “My Freedom Doesn’t End Where Your Fear Begins”. While some of us may live in fear that we’ll contract the virus, most of us don’t fear the virus. We realize that risk is a part of life, and we should do what we can to limit it. His sign is correct, but not relevant. Wearing a mask isn’t about my fear or his freedom, it’s about protecting everyone’s freedom. It’s about our right to be free from risks to our life and health caused directly by another person’s selfish and disrespectful behavior. Continue reading
Caution: If you and your spouse have ever suffered a miscarriage, stillbirth, or loss of a child, this may trigger an overwhelming emotional response and you may not want to read it. Continue reading
I woke up this morning, looked over at my best friend of 53 years, life partner for nearly 49, and said to myself, “thank you Lord for granting my wish, one more day with her.” A Diamond Rio song ‘One More Day’ says it exactly right. You can see the lyrics below.
Then I begin my new normal routine: slip on the workout clothes, gulp my morning meds, lace up my hiking shoes, set my phone to workout mode, and head out the door for my 2.2 mile walk around the lake. Continue reading
It’s a new day, a new week, and soon to be a new month. It comes after a great weekend of reminiscing with lifelong friends about good times as kids and rites of passage, in a way. Continue reading
Seems as though I’ve done it again, taken an unintended long break from writing. Things got a little complicated at the beginning of the year as I found myself once again in caregiver mode. Continue reading
Being a Vet on Veterans’ Day is a humbling and emotional experience. To hear the expressions of thanks and appreciation while at the same time remembering those neighbors, those friends, those high school classmates who gave everything without ever hearing those thank-yous makes it a happy but hard day for those of us who served on the front lines or in supporting roles. Continue reading
Sometimes, in the deepest, darkest part of a long night, when the whole house is silent but for the breathing of Hunter, the big furry member of the clan, and the problems of the world are weighing heavy on your shoulders, (or the antihistamine you took a while ago is keeping you awake), something happens to bring clarity to your pondering and resolution to your frustration. Continue reading
After breakfasting with my railroading buddies Tuesday I was contemplating all the work on my task list, mostly related to prepping the house for a visit from our daughter and the grandkids later this week. My pondering shifted to my business and how my business plan will be changing as I move into “retirement”, and do more business writing. And then I thought about this blog. Continue reading
Last Saturday according to the calendar I became a senior citizen; I celebrated a major milestone, my sixty-fifth birthday. I have the Medicare card to go along with my AARP card. This was big. This wasn’t a tens digit. This was an event. Continue reading
I don’t know if I can lose 75 pounds, but I do know I can weigh less at the end of the year than I do now. I don’t know if I can exercise 150 minutes a week, but I do know I can exercise more than I do now. I don’t know if I can maintain a paleo diet for the year, but I do know I can eat more wisely this year. I don’t know if I can close $50,000 in new business this year, but I do know I can close more business than last year. I don’t know if I can sing in the choir for the whole year, but I do know I can sing in the choir now. Those were last year’s goals. Continue reading