I have hope within. But not for cliché things like “world peace” or “random acts of kindness” or how we can all “coexist.” No, my hope is for the Creator God of the universe to one day return to earth … Read the rest
Nations and empires fall because of it. Governments become tyrannical and then crumble because of it. And families are torn to shreds because of it. And it’s something you can’t detect with your five senses. But you WILL still suffer … Read the rest
“Who is creating the conditions for people to find hope and possibility?” That was a question Seth Godin posed to the person who interviewed him for her podcast audience. The two of them were talking about AI (for those of … Read the rest
She said, “Life is screaming at me.” And I thought to myself, “Hmm, I think there’s a song in that.” Elgielene and I had one of those “long distance romances” you’ve heard about. You know. The kind that never work … Read the rest
A long time ago isn’t worthy to be compared to a long time to come. Unless your future depends on you. Ok. I should probably explain that. Because, on the surface, it might sound like philosophical silliness. And I certainly … Read the rest
It’s truly your lucky day! Because, even though I didn’t think I’d ever share this secret again, I’m gonna show you the main ingredients you need in order to be master of the universe. And despite what you might have … Read the rest
Maybe you’re familiar with the expression, “It was a real red letter day.” But just in case you’re not, maybe you’ll find this next part interesting. Current usage of “red letter day” is like decaf coffee. You get the flavor. … Read the rest
I gotta share this story I just saw again today. Maybe you’ve seen some version of it. But it’s about what happened when a young cashier told an older woman “you should bring your grocery bags next time. Because plastic … Read the rest
Wild animals and other creatures breathe. But the breath of the wild things isn’t the same as the breath that goes in and out of you and me. And by “breath of the wild things” I don’t mean plain ol’ … Read the rest
Sure, you could say Tino loves music. If you’re trying to win the “understatement of the year” contest, you could say that. Or another “understatement of the year” could be… “He’s no quitter.” Boy oh boy, is THAT putting it … Read the rest
Over ten years ago I wrote about what it takes to be a healthy, happy human. And I said, “First, you have to be a human. Next, you need to be healthy and happy.” Sounds sensible enough. Right? And I … Read the rest
The anchors, the weather and sports reporters, the investigative reporters, and the editorialists all talked a blue streak night after night. So, it was ironic when Theo felt something like the stroke of a paintbrush across his heart. Because it … Read the rest
Mateo walked through the shin-deep snow on that cold February night in 1996. And one thought kept echoing through the dark chambers of his mind, “I can hear my heart, but I just can’t feel my life.” But he couldn’t … Read the rest
You’ve heard how there was no joy in Mudville when Mighty Casey struck out. Well, I assume you’ve heard that or read it. And I know what happens when you assume. So, maybe I should have given a spoiler alert. … Read the rest
So you see the title, Typhoon Tycoon, and you think to yourself, “Self. That’s obviously the most important thing I’ve got to read today. So, read it NOW!” Am I right? Yes? I knew it. Because who wouldn’t wanna know … Read the rest
OK kiddos from 3 to 103. I’ll just let you know, right up front, that I’m here for you. Because I know that you fit into one of these categories. You are the: Cream of the crop Top of the … Read the rest
Once upon an old West morning, in the little town of Glenwood Springs, the scent of freshly baked bread and coffee wafted through the air. And it woke up one of the most famous young doctors ever. He got up, … Read the rest
Kris and Themum woke up to a thunderstorm filled with bright flashes of lightning. Thank goodness they had taken extra time to secure their tents and position them for protection. Because the thunderstorm turned into what Uncle Paulo would describe … Read the rest
Finnar and Sami were what you might call “fast friends.” Well, I certainly would anyway. Because that’s an old and established way to describe a solid friendship built on mutual trust. And only a solid friendship could have done what … Read the rest
It probably wasn’t on your radar. Nope. You probably weren’t wondering about my process for stringing words together to create the rhymes and reasons I share with you. So, when I say I started a 3-verse rhyme with the phrase … Read the rest
“Maestro, a little night music, please.” And with that one command/request, the young songwriter retreated to his chamber to compose himself. Oh yeah, and also to compose the music. By some accounts it was a warm summer night in Vienna. … Read the rest
Oliver Treze was born to write bright. And that was his answer when anyone asked what he did for a living. He’d smile a quarter smile and reply, “I write bright.” So, every morning, he sat in the shade of … Read the rest
Theo loved drawing and coloring from the moment he could hold a crayon. And his bedroom walls were papered with creations straight out of his wild imagination. Just about every other day he’d ask his mom or dad to get … Read the rest
If you’ve never met the Icle family, you’e certainly missed out on a special treat. First, there’s Grandpa Icle. But most people know him as Pops. Then there’s Uncle Bice Icle. And cousin Trice Icle. Then, there’s King Lear Icle. … Read the rest
Elara lived in the star-island village of Millezza (pronounced milletsa, with the accent on the et). I’m sure you never heard of her or her hometown. Because they’re located at the Northwest corner of the Milky Way Galaxy. Of course, … Read the rest
OK, you’ll enjoy this story much more if you use your best Irish or Scottish accent as you read. Even if you read it to yourself and you don’t read it out loud. You’re already doin’ it. Aren’t ya? Yeah, … Read the rest
Amelia sat by the window. And the soft glow of the evening sunset shined warm shades of orange and yellow across the nursery. As twilight settled on the crib, she hoped tonight would be different. Because her baby, Lily, had … Read the rest
What’s with all these hypnic jerks who bug you just when you’re drifting off to sleep. How incredibly rude! And embarrassing. Sort of. Maybe it’s just me. Have you ever had to deal with ’em as you’re drifting off to … Read the rest
I’m not a fan of hot weather conditions. Yeah, there’s a pun hiding in plain sight, there. But I’m not gonna pun-ish you, more, right now. If you’ve been staying inside to lounge in the coolness of air conditioning, believe … Read the rest
Wow. August the first. And this month started out the same way July ended. HOT! Blazing, triple digits hot. A/C running almost continuously all day hot. And did I mention it was hot? I just looked at my weather app. … Read the rest
I remember learning the Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep prayer way before I “went to school.” Naturally, I didn’t get the full meaning of it, at the time. Because I was a little kid. I just loved the … Read the rest
It’s triple digits temps around here again. Multiple triple digits already. And multiple more to come. As a next-door neighbor used to say, “It’s brutal.” And if you don’t have the convenience of modern air conditioning, I can’t imagine you’ll … Read the rest
If you’ve ever seen the movie “Forrest Gump” you might remember seeing a feather dance around him and his surroundings at the bus stop. Of course, I’m sure you’re all savvy enough to know that little feather didn’t make all … Read the rest
Red and white. Red is a bold, beautiful primary color. And white, as I learned in art class (but isn’t absolutely scientifically true) is the absence of color. Put the two of them together, in stripes, and you’ve got a … Read the rest
I never raised any kids of my own. And, for that matter, I never raised anyone else’s kids either. And some people might say that disqualifies me to write songs for kids. But I disagree. Because I WAS a kid. … Read the rest
There’s old-fashioned. And there’s new-fashioned. And sometimes they might be the exact same thing but they don’t sound alike at all. For example, the expression “holding fast” to something. I bet you don’t many, if any who say that. No, … Read the rest