Category: Everything Else

Is Nature Striking Back? Are We Getting a Message?

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Some Interesting Things are Happening on This Planet.

Those of a certain age will remember a very popular TV commercial some years ago. In that commercial, a man offers Mother Nature a taste of something. She tries it and says, “Ah, yes, that is my natural, sweet butter.” To which the man replies, “Fooled you, Mother Nature. It’s [Brand X] margarine.” An angry Mother Nature says, “It’s not nice to fool with Mother Nature,” as a terrible storm begins.

A Warning?

Sometimes it seems like we are living in that commercial.

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D Day – The Power of Planning, Commitment, and Courage

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Few Events in Human History Call Out to Us with Such Clarity as What is Important

The 70th anniversary of D Day is almost upon us. The celebration that occurs every five years will take place this Thursday in France. I cringe at what Donald Trump may do or fail to do at this most sacred of human consecrations. I take comfort knowing the examples of D Day will long outlive this human aberration in our history.

D Day has a special meaning for me. I was the coordinator for airborne operations at the 40th anniversary of D Day.

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Thinking About People Who Are Thinking About Mount Everest

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Perhaps It is Time to Rethink the Mountain

The Mountain of all Mountains

Recent days have brought us stories of people dying on Mount Everest in near record numbers. It usually takes an avalanche or a major storm to cause so many casualties. What got them this time? Standing in line.

The Nepalese government issued close to 400 permits this season. By all accounts, that is more than the summit approaches likely could handle. And so, it has come to pass. We have seen what seems to be remarkable photos. Dozens of people standing in lines just short of the summit,

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“I Think That I Shall Never See…”

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There might be something more wonderous on this planet than trees, but I haven’t seen it.

Trees Are The Best

Longtime friends of mine know that I think pretty strongly that Joyce Kilmer got it right with that poem we all learned in childhood: “I think that I shall never see a poem as lovely as a tree….” I don’t connect to the theological elements of that little poem, but as for the sense of wonder and joy about trees? Count me in.

I have long thought that if an alien space craft were to scoop me up and demand that I show them one wonderous thing that made our planet worth saving,

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Dunn vs Ray is a Low Mark, Even for This Supreme Court

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Common Compassion and a Modicum of Decency Would Have Gone a Long Way

The Background

There have been a lot of high visibility news stories in recent weeks. Perhaps lost in the din of events, a legal case was settled in a result that is unworthy of us as Americans.

In February of this year, the US Supreme Court ruled on a freedom of religion case, Dunn vs Ray. The issues were narrow as these things go, yet this case should go down as one the court will carry with shame.

To be clear,

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There is a Killer Out There, Stalking Us All

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The superbug MRSA is killing patients in American Hospitals. In Europe? Not So Much

 

We are at Risk

By now, most have heard of MRSA, or Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus.This is a bacterial infection, most commonly referred to as a staph infection, that is often fatal. It is highly resistant to the drugs we have available to us and is getting more so over time.

How bad is this? Take a look at the numbers. Each year, about 90,000 Americans are infected with MRSA. Many are children and others with weak immune systems.

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It’s a Grab Bag Blog Today! Something for Everyone

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Enjoy a Collection of Assorted News, Human Interest, and Other Tidbits. Part of our Hey, Look at That! Series.

Today I am pleased to share an assortment of articles and information that I have come across. I found them fascinating. Sometimes fun, sometimes infuriating, but consistently good to know. This like going through your garage to organize a yard sale. I found some items to share.

I am constantly collecting bits of information and entertainment. Every once in a while, its’ time to share a few. Today is such a day.

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It’s Frivolous Friday! Let us Speak of Tattoos and Travel

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As we do from time to time, let’s take a Friday to step back from serious subjects for a little weekend fun.

Today, I pose two questions for you to consider. I am speculating most of us have likely not considered, at least not often, the first one. The second one may have more of a track record with the group. We will see.

You may consider these rather outlandish questions in the privacy of your mind, of course. But this is one post that would be fun for a lot of us to share.

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Want to Try Time Travel? Go to Cuba

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Cuba is a very different world. It is a land of contrast, prospects, and lost opportunities.

 

We have just returned from a week in Cuba. Like many Americans, we were curious about a place so long hidden from us and we wanted to see it before too many changes took place. With the death of Fidel Castro and the first openings by the Obama administration (since tightened a bit by Trump), we expected change was coming fast.

Not so fast, actually. For reasons discussed below, any meaningful change on a wide scale is likely years,

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Quotes & Quips – Don’t You Wish YOU had Thought of These? Me, too

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Humorous or insightful thoughts to help start the New Year

 

As regular readers know, about once a quarter or so, this site provides a short list of quotes that I find really good, worthy of sharing. Some are profound, some are funny, some are both.

Herewith, the latest offerings to help launch your New Year.  A baker’s dozen for your edification and reflection. Enjoy!

  1. “In our democracy, we govern either by leadership or by crisis. If leadership is willing to take the risks that come with the responsibility of power,

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