When a boy, I wanted to be a great basketball player. I was tall and rapidly growing taller, but I was lanky and uncoordinated. My father played varsity ball and from what I gathered in listening to his friends, he was quite good. At young age, and not possessing much in way of physical talent, I [...]
I believe we were eleven or twelve when friend and his neighbor, another boy of similar age, conceived a practical joke which still brings smile. The “Candid Camera” type plot was simple, obtain spare garage door opener and wait for older brother to return home. Our perch was ideal. We were situated across street behind living [...]
Some years ago, I traveled to China on business. I was there to see that a cut and sew program my company was initiating got off on the right foot. In total I was on the mainland for three weeks. The company for which I worked permitted me to invite my girlfriend on trip if I [...]
My parents were careful in monitoring what my brother, sister and I observed on television, yet on Saturday afternoons we watched horror flicks. They were also broadcast on Friday and Saturday evenings, but we were sent to bed before they aired. Mom and dad were busy people, and I don’t believe they were aware how intense [...]
coincidence [kōˈinsədəns] A remarkable concurrence of events or circumstances without apparent causal connection. As you know, if you’ve read previous posts, I hold there is no coincidence. Those expert in the mathematical sciences could apply numbers to formula to refute my contention, but I’ll stick to my guns. As example I submit the following [...]
I like to consider time, from time to time. When a child I didn’t think much about time, other than penalty paid for arriving late or lamenting its rapid passing when engrossed in summer evening’s game of tag or kick the can. Despite my indifference, Mom emphasized its importance, and in a principally analog world taught [...]
I don’t recall the genesis of my desire to purchase mountain bike, but I believe initially the intent was to cycle railbed that, in times past, had been base to tie and steel. Indeed, I started there, and enjoyed those rides, although I found myself leaving safety of gravel surface in favor of hardpack when opportunity [...]
Over the years I have driven many miles and though I’ve done my best to avoid collision with wildlife it has occurred. I wonder why squirrel reverses course or sparrow swoops just when vehicle’s proximity matches theirs. I don’t know what crosses gap between synapses of God’s creatures, but unpredictable behavior, in my opinion, is particularly [...]
A divorced dad, I would meet my ex midway between residences to exchange our little ones—two girls. It was an hour to and from the rendezvous point and I would frequently tell stories to make the trip pass. The tales told were of magic places with creatures of all sorts; leprechauns, fairies, pixies, ghosts, and such. [...]
Finding silence has been a challenge for me, and I think for others as well. I remember, when in the waning days of seventh grade, our teacher asked that we all be completely quiet. The windows were open as we had no air conditioning and it was unusually hot. She repeated her request several times and [...]
