The first day of school was always a time of great excitement sprinkled with a bit of low—grade fear. There was the pride of having a new “Big Chief” tablet and perhaps some new jeans and tennis shoes, and the smell of the class room and meeting a new teacher and classmates. It was my… Continue reading

On August 18, 1984, Mary Kay and I brought together four kids, two cats and our dog Smiley, to begin 40 years of marriage. Today I want to give an honest thanks to this journey we have shared. When two people start a marriage with just the two of them they create a dyad (I… Continue reading

I am just finishing day 14 of my 2024 Olympic binge watching. I truly can not get enough. Currently I am watching … believe it or not… Break Dancing. Yes, a demonstration sport, and I am totally amazed at what I am seeing. Heck, if Curling can get one to the Gold Medal stand, why… Continue reading

When we moved out to the west end of the metroplex, I soon began to realize that this was as close as I would ever come to living in the mountains. In seven minutes I can be in Coal Creek Canyon, and pushing right into the heart of the Rockies. Exploring my surroundings has taken… Continue reading

I am writing this a day late. I want to blame it on the weather. Well, that’s in part the case. The real reason is poor planning, and the realities of trying to do too many things. I had set aside two hours on Saturday evening and then I got to spend time with daughter… Continue reading

I have invented the word that describes my current state of being. I am conflicted. I don’t want to sound ungrateful, or go full—on curmudgeon. Today I was able to drive 22 miles each way to go to an “in person” 12-step meeting. I need people. For most of my life I have lived in… Continue reading

In ninth grade we had to run a mile in under eight minutes to get an A in Gym. That meant four laps around a 440 yard track. I remember vividly staying with the pack of reasonably fit classmates. Then came the forth lap. Mr. Clay shouted out “You are about six seconds off the… Continue reading

Two days ago I took my first real shower in a month. By real I mean—I got to stand underneath a perfectly nice warm shower and put on peppermint shower gel. Whatever they call a shower in the hospital, is not. It’s sort of like a partial “hose down” while you sit in a chair.… Continue reading

I am writing this 12 days before my seventy-fifth birthday. I have reasonable confidence that I will be there for this turn in to my own run at a century. Three weeks ago today I was admitted to “Good Sam” as it is nicknamed by the hospital personnel who work there. To say I got… Continue reading

Yesterday I drove out to Cherry Creek State Park. I love taking that drive through neighborhoods and back roads. In doing so I go by a number of schools. Quite a few grade schools, a middle school and one high school. All of them had signs celebrating the last day of school. On my return… Continue reading