Category: Society

The Joy of Flying

7 Comments on The Joy of Flying

Life is More Three Dimensional Than We Acknowledge. Here is a Way to Regain That Perspective.

By the time you read this, I will have finished a couple of days of commercial flying with one of the three remaining large airlines in this country. Rest assured, this blog post is not being published to sing the praises of commercial flight as we know it today.

We could talk about that, but why do that to our blood pressure?

No, today I want to encourage you to listen to the siren song of flight on a small scale.

Join the discussion at: The Joy of Flying

What Invisible, Unfair Taxes Are You Paying?

2 Comments on What Invisible, Unfair Taxes Are You Paying?

Everyone Complains About Taxes – There Are Some You Might Even Know You Are Paying

First, a word about taxes in general.

The political discourse in this country about taxes is generally a waste of words. Sure, everyone would like to pay less in taxes, but that is only half the question. The other half, what would we want to give up in return for lower taxes, is seldom addressed.

We saw this mindless approach to taxes carried out full scale in Kansas. Governor Sam Brownback came into office on a Trickle Down,

Join the discussion at: What Invisible, Unfair Taxes Are You Paying?

Mr. Trump Hits the Trifecta

2 Comments on Mr. Trump Hits the Trifecta

It Was a Challenge to Squeeze This Much Bad Judgement and Childish Behavior into One Week – But He Did It

Donald Trump went out of his way last week to show once again why he is hopeless as a President. This was a record week of making bad situations worse and debasing the office he holds for the moment. Let’s take a look at three examples from the week:

John McCain: Let us start with the simplest, and in so many ways, the most egregious. Mr. Trump presided over the signing of the Defense Authorization Bill.

Join the discussion at: Mr. Trump Hits the Trifecta

Why Is the Connection between People and Dogs So Strong?

2 Comments on Why Is the Connection between People and Dogs So Strong?

And What Does That Mean About Our Relationships with Other Animals?

A lot of people, most people I expect, like animals a lot. I know I do. Over the years I have enjoyed the company of dogs, cats, fish, and other assorted critters. My devotion to and affection for them all was genuine. But the dogs were, and are, in a category by themselves. I know a lot of us feel the same.

Time magazine has recently published a special edition about this very question. In it, Jeffrey Kluger laid out the framework nicely:

“… about the bond that humans and dogs share.

Join the discussion at: Why Is the Connection between People and Dogs So Strong?

Can Your Watch Save Your Life?

4 Comments on Can Your Watch Save Your Life?

We Might Want to Pay Attention to That Question

In the last few weeks I have seen 3 more stories of people’s lives being saved by their Apple watches. The impressively accurate watch detects heart beat irregularities and pressure changes. It even measures some effects of blood clots.

In each of these cases, as in others, the individual would not have known there was a problem without the watch. In each case, they trusted the watch, sought medical care, and lived to tell the tale,

Kudos for Apple. No doubt others could offer such technology,

Join the discussion at: Can Your Watch Save Your Life?

What do Alex Jones, Laura Ingraham – and YOU – have in Common?

2 Comments on What do Alex Jones, Laura Ingraham – and YOU – have in Common?

You have at least one important thing in common.

Relax, I am not about to compare you to Alex Jones, Laura Ingraham, or their fellow travelers. If you like those folks, you likely are not a reader of this blog. But if you do happen to find them agreeable, you are still welcome to stick around and see what we have to say today.

The last few days have been banner days for showing the ugly side of our species, and some hopeful signs as well.

  • Alex Jones finally is purged from most social media.

Join the discussion at: What do Alex Jones, Laura Ingraham – and YOU – have in Common?

Quotes to Carry Around

8 Comments on Quotes to Carry Around

Here are Some Thoughts to Carry You Through the Weekend

I confess to being a collector of quotable phrases. I have pages of them at this point. I enjoy reading them and sharing them.

I offer you today a baker’s dozen from my collection.

Some are profound, some are funny – some are both. They all seem timely. They are food for thought and an antidote to mundane thinking.

I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. More of this to come in the weeks ahead.

  1. Hold your heroes to a high standard.

Join the discussion at: Quotes to Carry Around

History Is About To Come Calling

2 Comments on History Is About To Come Calling

checkmate-1511866_1920

Events are About to Catch Up with Trump and Company. History will Not be Kind.

In a sense, many of us alive today have been here before. There came a time in Watergate that the weight of evidence and history would no longer be denied. It was an amazing thing to observe. Two things stood out in particular.

One, when the time came, a handful of people made a difference. In the right place and with the right amount of authority, they stood up and did the right thing.

Join the discussion at: History Is About To Come Calling

The Large and Small Joys of Paying It Forward

Leave a Comment on The Large and Small Joys of Paying It Forward

Turns out there’s something to that whole “Do Unto Others” thing

I don’t know exactly when the term Pay It Forward became an established part of the American lexicon. I remember a movie by that title a few years ago. But it was riding popular consciousness rather than starting the conversation.

Well, whoever started this ball rolling, we owe them a debt of thanks. Few approaches to life carry such value and power, on so many levels.

We can see examples of it everywhere. Even better, we can provide examples everywhere.

Join the discussion at: The Large and Small Joys of Paying It Forward

Carl Sandburg Was Right- We Need Loneliness and Wilderness

8 Comments on Carl Sandburg Was Right- We Need Loneliness and Wilderness

A  Visit to Sandburg’s Home Brought a Valuable Lesson

I have the good fortune of living not far from the booming (NOT) metropolis of Flat Rock, NC. Not a place on many bucket lists, but it should be. It is the rural home of the excellent State Theater and home to some exceptional BBQ.

But the real attraction is the country home of Carl and Lilian Sandburg. They lived here for many years, until his death in 1967. I feel an extra connection to Sandburg. He was America’s voice in so many ways (prose, poetry, music).

Join the discussion at: Carl Sandburg Was Right- We Need Loneliness and Wilderness