My childhood happened long before personal computers—before cell phones and before satellite TV. Heck, it was the 1950’s; there were no satellites because there was no space program! Dwight Eisenhower was the president and Detroit’s ‘big three’ dominated the automotive market and everything we had was made in the good ole’ US of A. But ...
Like you, I enjoy a good movie. Casablanca, for instance, I deem a really good movie. You’ve probably seen it but allow me to remind you of its basic premise. Leading up to WWII, the African coastal town of Casablanca became a toxic cocktail of westernized Africans, mercenary Americans and fugitive Europeans escaping Hitler’s advancing armies. ...
There are a handful of activities in which most every American kid participates during their childhood—like, ride a bicycle, make a snow angel, or blow out their birthday candles to name a few. And I can’t imagine an adult living today who hasn’t at one time or another captured lightning bugs in a Mason jar. ...
As perhaps you already know, Juno, NASA’s space probe, has reached the outer orbit of Jupiter. Launched in 2011, NASA spokesmen report the Juno space probe is the most complex and difficult space project they’ve ever attempted. I’m not a space geek, but I am quietly excited by their/our accomplishment. The radiation, however, is so ...
This past week as I drove east on main street, I smiled to see a long line of family filled automobiles waiting patiently nose to tail along the right side of the roadway. There was a Jeep with its top off; inside were two youngsters that straddled the roll bar waving as I passed. A ...
Marilyn and I have been happily married for over 47 years. Throughout our relationship, I’m the one who usually shakes things up with announcements like, “I’m thinking about starting my own business”, or “I believe we should start a new church in Lancaster”. Incredibly, as we discussed these “wild adventures”, Marilyn, after several days and ...
I recently visited a young mother with two children—a boy who I’d guess was 9 or 10 and a daughter who appeared to be around 12. It was a pleasure being in their home. The kids were polite—they looked me straight in the eye and answered my patronizing questions about school and sports as if ...
Marilyn and I are very proud of our two grown sons. They are close in age, only 18 months apart, yet have completely different personalities. We’re grateful they’ve maintained a wonderful camaraderie as they’ve grown into manhood. Like most siblings, they are completely unique of one another. When Jason, born with dark hair and dark ...
A modern-day parable… There was once an old guy named Marvin (the hero in this parable), who in his late 60’s, was terribly out of shape. Determined to recapture his youth, he followed his heart to the YMCA. Wearing faded sweatpants, a wrinkled tee shirt, and the only athletic footwear he currently owned (grass stained Adidas), ...
It was dinner time and the restaurant I’d chosen was teeming with hungry patrons. The din of clatter and conversation had reached full song. The corporate designers of this restaurant chain had intentionally chosen seating arrangements that allowed for an open line of sight across the entire serving floor—a feature I like for two reasons. ...