Category: Everything Else

December 2, 2025

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A Cold, Hard Month is Coming In Many Ways

In terms of the actual weather, it has been all over the scale of severity around the country. My neck of the woods has had a pretty mild, if brisk, winter approach, while much of the country has endured really cold, tough weather. But the weather provides a good metaphor for the “climate” we humans construct- lots of turbulence, many storms, some rays of hope. Let’s take a look at some of the current sightings on our “weather map.”

How Could the Shooting of Two National Guardsmen Be Made Worse?

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A Seasonal Break From Politics

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Make A Wish…

Tis the Season

This time of year, from November through January, is full of holidays and commemorations, most of them originating in one religion or another, but mostly more cultural than religious at this point for most people.

In the midst of all this, we also find the tradition of New Year’s resolutions. I remember for several years when I was a member of a commercial gym, we all tended to stay away from the gym in January, since the facility was overrun with people who made resolutions to get fit.

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You May Ask Three Questions…

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A Little Break From Politics

What Happens After Death?

I have long been interested in the widely differing views, beliefs, and expectations people have about death and what comes next. Some base their views on religion, most often one they grew up with or are surrounded by culturally. Others base their views on long and deep thinking about the subject, trying to apply reason, intellect, and spiritual aspects – not an easy task.

I’ll share my views sometime in the future in another post (one sure to agitate a lot of folks, one way or the other).

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Take A Deep Breath, Take A Short Break

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As I started to prepare the posting for this week, I thought a lot, of course, about all that has happened in recent days, and all that’s coming in the next few days, perhaps including the shut down of our government.

I find myself reminded of some good advice I heard from a number of sources when this administration started. I think it was Michael Beschloss who said it best. This is going be a long fight, with many fronts engaged at the same time. We’re just in the early stages.

We don’t really have an option to give up.

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The Very Best Season Is Almost Here

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For Me, Fall Tops Them All. Cannot Wait for Its Arrival Every Year

The Power of Seasons
It is hard to overstate the pleasure and power of seasons. For me at least, this is the benchmark by which time, nature, and life mark passages and progress. We lived for several years in Hawaii; a beautiful place for sure, but one lacking in seasons. There were rainy and dryer times of year, but nothing like a real passage of seasons. We found we really, really missed having them. The weather report on local news was about 30 seconds every day – “No change from yesterday.”

When one grows up with seasons,

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Artificial Intelligence: 1 Step Forward, 1 Step Back?

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Image produced by Myshoun, using AI. Found on Pixabay. 

We are at an interesting but predictable point in time with AI. Are we on the launch ramp or on the edge of the cliff? Yes.

What We Heard and Saw in Recent Months

It seems like only yesterday that Artificial Intelligence (AI) popped up into popular consciousness. In fact, it has been around for a few years, with remarkable growth in popularity, utility, and dangers. As Bill Gates has said, everything you hear about the promise and potential of AI is true;

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Adventures of Americans Abroad

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We Visited Several Countries Last Month. What Did We Find?

Our First International Trip During This Administration

And so our latest international adventure we mentioned a few weeks ago has concluded. Six countries (Canada, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Scotland, and Iceland) over a couple of weeks, and I promised to share with you what it was like being an American abroad these days, and to let you know how a few travel technology items worked out.

Facing The Politics

As noted earlier, we were a bit apprehensive about travelling just now – likely not the best time to be an American travelling almost anywhere.

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What Is It Like To Be An American Overseas Now?

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I’ll Let You Know Shortly

By the time you read this, we will be several days into a trip into 6 different countries. To say it is an interesting time to be a traveling American is likely an understatement for the ages.

We have friends who have been traveling since the election last November. Most tell us they get sympathetic exchanges more than anything else, but not always. After all, as a nation, we made this choice twice. You can get a pass on the first one – the second time is a responsibility one has to accept as a nation.

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Talk To The Animals

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 And Listen When They Talk To You

A Lifelong Fascination

I admit that the idea of communicating with animals, at the level we communicate with each other, has been a lifelong fascination for me. Who would not give a lot to be able to do this with all sorts of creatures? IMany of you feel the same, and perhaps feel you come closer to this than do most people. As for me, well, my favorite hat says “I like dogs, and maybe 3 people”

Part of this, I suppose, is the human desire to connect and our love of animals.

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The Republican Budget is Crystal Clear

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Image by Dee from Pixabay

This Has Nothing To Do With Traditional Conservative/Liberal Arguments

Remember the Old Days?

Once upon a time, our political debates pretty much revolved around two sets of priorities/belief systems, both seeking a better America for all, but choosing different paths.

Republicans were generally thought to be pro-business, but that included small business. They sought smaller government where feasible, sought to minimize taxes, and expected America to be a leader on the world stage. Republicans abhorred deficit spending at any level. They emphasized a moral code of traditional values.

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