Did you ever watch The Waltons? Either when it was a new show or in reruns? Either way, do you remember how the kids would run out the front door and the screen door would smack shut? That’s because those old screen doors were lightweight and had long snakey springs. And I remember both sets of my grandparents had screen … The rest of the story…
Category Archives: life is beautiful
I watched a well-made movie, starring Robert Duvall, the other night. And he’s a very good actor who can keep you engaged. I wish he’d learn how stupid he sounds as he takes God’s name in vain in just about every character he plays. But I’m not sure Mr. Duvall understands how that relationship is key. In the movie Mr. … The rest of the story…
Empty the ocean with a spoon? Yeah, that was a thought that rushed into my head one day back in the 1970’s. Because I was thinking about all the people in the world who give up too easily. And, at the same time, I thought about all the people in the world who would never give up. And I wanted … The rest of the story…
Back when I was about 12 or 13, in the mezzaluna phase of the twentieth century, my Mom forced me to endure unfathomable torture. She drove me to a quiet hillside, out on the backroads of Eastern Kansas. And she turned off the ignition to the ’48 Chevy pickup, opened the driver’s door, stepped outside, and said, “OK, slide over … The rest of the story…
Here’s a little something from nineteen ninety nine in nineteen eighty two. “Cuz they say two thousand zero zero party over, Oops out of time – So tonight I’m gonna party like it’s 1999.” Just in case you forgot, or something, I’m quoting from that famous philosopher, Prince. Or is it the artist formerly known as Prince? Or is it Skipper? Hey, … The rest of the story…
Back in the day (as they say) there was a short expression to describe somebody who could run fast. It went like this, “Man, he can really move it.” Do they still say that? I don’t know. But I probably do once in a while. Because when something works, you keep it. Despite the so-called trends and fads. And sometimes … The rest of the story…
I’ve mentioned before how I spent summers in Kansas after my parents split up. And I’ve shared how I worked hard, long hours bucking bales of hay. But my recent trip there, for my Mom’s memorial, reminded me how Kansas is awesome in the springtime. Elgielene and I drove through the countryside a few times while we were there. And … The rest of the story…
Life is full of up’s and down’s. But that’s part of what makes it so interesting. Because it’s not the easy stuff that makes you stronger. It’s the tough stuff. And if you’ve lived longer than a couple of decades, you’re at least starting to see what I mean. Right? Tough stuff is available everywhere. I remember way, way back … The rest of the story…
It’s been a weird April this year. And I’m in a particularly contemplative way as I think about what the past 7 days included. A second drive to Kansas, in the past couple of months. But not for fun. Because on April 17 a group of family and friends memorialized my Mom. And just two days later was the anniversary … The rest of the story…
In case you don’t already know…I’m gonna show you how to be happy where you are right now. How’s that for a pitch? Maybe where you are right now is a place full of anger, bitterness, and turmoil. There’s a way to be happy instead. Or maybe your life is going great, but you think something is missing, and you … The rest of the story…
When I was a little kid, not even in school yet, I lived with my grandparents for a while. And they didn’t have a box or bucket or even a bag of toys for my brother and me to play with. But I remember my Grandmother would bring out her bag of wooden clothespins, some empty thread spools, and showed … The rest of the story…