Category: Daily Life

December 28, 2015 The Christmas season is, without a doubt, my favorite time of the year. Despite the standard wars and violence always to be found somewhere on the planet, love, joy, and peace flourish during Yuletide as in no other season. Most everyone gets excited. Especially kids, merchants, and no one more so than Christians. No surprise since the birth of Christ is what started it all. Christmas lovers like me flash the Christmas message from our dwellings and anything else we can hang lights on. We go out of our way to spread …

December 28, 2014 Over the years I’ve lost a lot of my tolerance for discomfort, so I work hard at trying to control my environment.   I occasionally wonder how much life passes me by as a result. Especially at this time of the year. Yes, I’ll step out of the easy zone once in a while, but more and more it seems to take persuasion with brute force. That was never the case, though, when I got to go to the mill with my dad. I didn’t give comfort a thought when I climbed up …

December 8, 2014 This Christmas season we are taking down our tree. Not the evergreen in our living room, but the gnarled old silver maple that has stood guard in our front yard since the day we moved in. A tree so decrepit looking it could evoke a snarky comment even from Charlie Brown. Sometimes I think our tree is a sentient being, like when it tries to see how close it can drop its dead limbs next to the cars parked at the curb beneath it. It hasn’t hit one yet, at least that …

November 22, 2014 Thanks to all who have expressed interest in our book Hiking Without Dave. After three and a half years, Bonnie and I are ready to release it.  Be advised that when you open it things may get messy:  Bonnie and I will both come pouring out. If you want a head start, sample chapters can be downloaded on the Hiking Without Dave page. If you know Bonnie, I am sure you will whole-heartedly agree that she is a sweet and loving person. Here is a little secret just between you and me: …