One Logical And Powerful Word

Of all the wonders of life, few can top the stories every human being can tell about what has happened to them.

And so it was during a recent morning walk that I met a man who was putting the final touches on his new self-designed street-side mailbox. After I told him how good it looked, he introduced himself as John, and we drifted into the subject of our respective pasts that brought us both into the latter stages of a good life. That’s when he told me a story.

He was born, raised, and educated in Chicago. His first … Read the rest “One Logical And Powerful Word”

When More Of Everything Means Less Of Anything

A sing-song play on words? No, it’s the more serious matter of us being close to having exhausted all the logical superlatives in describing an object, happening, or situation.

The trend never had an identifiable beginning. It just sort of happened. Still, you might remember when such words as “nice,” “wonderful,” and “terrific” did most of the heavy lifting.

Then along came “super” and “shocking” plus such compound descriptors as “jaw-dropping” that reference the human body, and “earth shaking” and “out of this world” that suggest far larger dimensions.

More recently, however, we began reaching even higher to include such … Read the rest “When More Of Everything Means Less Of Anything”

Searching For Perfect

Having already brought the iced tea, she was now ready to take my order — the cheeseburger special with fries and slaw on the side. I said it right and she wrote it down right. “Perfect,” she said with a smile, then she was gone.

What went on between her and me was, indeed, perfect. Beyond that, however, was another story. The place was packed so we were lucky to get the high table with the potentially dangerous high stools. After all, an extra powerful sneeze, a reach too far for a lost napkin, or simply attempting to maintain balance … Read the rest “Searching For Perfect”

The Magic Of Winter Light

There was no refusing my friend’s invitation. 

He and his wife were about to take their brand new to them 38-foot motor yacht from their home on the Tennessee River in northwest Alabama to a boat repair facility in St. Petersburg, Florida, a run of about seven hundred miles. 

The boat was in excellent condition, but because it had logged only a few miles during the previous two years, it would also be a shakedown cruise. That was part of the main reason he wanted me, an experienced boater, to come along as an extra hand. I had cruised that … Read the rest “The Magic Of Winter Light”

Be A Lover Of Life

She was a follower on Twitter, but as so often happened, she was nobody I knew. So I did some checking and it revealed that her name was Andrea and that she was living on a farm in Alberta, Canada.

In a quick scan of her bio, my eyes locked on these words: “Making mediocrity fabulous one day at a time.” Those words weren’t the ordinary kind that merely talked. They yelled, almost screamed: “Look at us real close. We are expressing something profound, a great thought to live by, an even greater one to wake up to every morning.”… Read the rest “Be A Lover Of Life”

This Is About You And Me

Now that I’m well into my fourth year of writing these columns, I should already have shared with you the information that appears here. So I’m doing it now as if you and I were visiting and I was answering your questions.

Why did you decide to write this column?

Most book authors have a website for promoting their books and some write a blog for that site. I wanted to do the same except instead of a blog which usually concerns recent personal happenings, I decided to write a column of possible help to readers.

How did you come Read the rest “This Is About You And Me”

Then There Were Warren And Jimmy

It wasn’t unexpected that in the recent passing of Jimmy Buffet, many would wonder if he and Warren Buffet were related. Well, to answer that question, they weren’t. They did, however, meet and become good friends.

I took that even farther by wondering what Warren, the quiet and highly disciplined investor, might have in common with Jimmy, the always buoyant and outgoing entertainer.

That led to me imagining what it might have been like for these two highly-successful men to get together in a quiet place, maybe sitting on the porch of a farmhouse atop a high hill from which … Read the rest “Then There Were Warren And Jimmy”

Sharing The Spirit With Strangers

It was a usual humdrum coffee break in the company snack shop. The only bright spot in the plain and all too familiar surroundings was a small and scrawny but brightly lit Christmas tree. As intended, it reminded everybody it was time to get into the spirit.

As for me, I didn’t mind all the rushing around and wondering what presents to buy for whom, or even the challenge of finding the time to get everything done before Christmas Eve.

It was writing the Christmas cards that got to me. They were nice to receive, but a chore to get … Read the rest “Sharing The Spirit With Strangers”

It’s All About Money

Money is so important it’s no wonder it and love are often uttered in the same breath.

We need it and never seem to get enough of it. Some people marry for it, are willing to break the law to get it, or even kill themselves if they lose all of it.

On a more positive note, we are forever challenged in deciding the best way to get more of it, save it, invest it, and spend it. For every person who believes in the old saying that money is the root of all evil, there are at least a … Read the rest “It’s All About Money”

Giving’s Other Bright Side

It happened only an hour ago, a bit of small talk while we were ordering.

The server said she had been working for her parents, but four months ago decided to take a job here, one of the area’s best restaurants.

When she brought the check, she added that although she regretted leaving the family business, all had gone well. She not only liked her new job, she loved it. The owners were “so nice” as were most of the patrons.

After mentioning a couple of proven pointers for creating a good working relationship with an employer, I explained what … Read the rest “Giving’s Other Bright Side”