A space for observation, discovery, and growth
A Mixed Collection Today: Celebrate Some, Worry Some
Today is D-Day
On this date in 1944, the Allies bet it all on an important event that could be the beginning of the end for the war in Europe. And so it was to be. A good date, perhaps, to reflect on what assaults and defenses we need to mount in the common interest. A few events and mindsets rise to the surface.
Some Good News to Share & Reflect Upon
How The Country is Doing: By almost any measure (economy, alliances and security,
How We View This Day Depends Greatly on What Experience We Bring To It
A Lot is Written and Spoken About Memorial Day
As well it should be. This is about as solemn a memorial service as we have for this country, and it deserves our attention. Still, as a veteran with more than a little bit of combat experience, I have always been a bit cautious about the day.
Seeing people who never served make pompous and bellicose speeches does not ring my bell. Neither do the machinations of those I think of as “professional veterans,” who seem unwilling to turn the page in life,
Join the discussion at: Two Rather Different Thoughts on Memorial Day
Yes, Indeed. Today We Share a Sample of Worthwhile Reading
A Lot of People Are Writing Well, About Important (and/or Fun) Matters
I invest more time than I probably should reading the work of other writers, particularly bloggers and columnists. Part of this is a desire to learn more, part of it is admiration of good writing. Some readings are like a hot fudge sundae – completely satisfying.
I thought you might enjoy a few of such outstanding examples that have come across my computer screen in recent days. I hope you enjoy them and learn from them as much as did I.
Join the discussion at: Hey, Is Anyone Else Writing Some Good Stuff?
More of the Good Stuff – A Bit Deeper
Now, Where Were We?
We started this conversation back in March with a short list of things that make one feel good. The plan is to divide that list into three levels – the easy everyday stuff, which was titled The Light Stuff. You may recall that my Light Stuff list included an eclectic but not unusual mix. It included:
Many of you wrote to concur with parts of that list,
Join the discussion at: The “What Makes You Feel Good” Parade – Part II
Nature’s Metaphor
We had a remarkably mild winter in my area of the Smoky Mountains. We had one cold snap, around Christmas and New Year’s Day. It was a short but ferocious cold snap. A lot of trees, shrubs, and small critters did not make it. It led me to a hard late winter. In short order, an early spring seemed to arrive. But too late for those who could not survive the earlier snap. In a sense, that is a metaphor for life more broadly. Expect the unexpected and be prepared to deal with challenges that seemed unimaginable just days earlier.
The Man Left Us a Good Idea
Think Much about Information Technology?
Sure, of course you do. We all do, pretty much daily. Let us take a quick look at what has us fired up/afraid/hopeful in the world of information technology. It is an odd list of things that have long driven us nuts and some new stuff we are still trying to figure out.
We have long worried about security, ranging from loss of personal information to loosing control of our hardware. Social media is a two-headed entity, opening the world to us but also deluging us with lies and conflict.
Join the discussion at: Martin Luther and Information Technology
An Assortment of News and Views of the Day
The Passing of a Founding Father
Gordon Moore, as in Moore’s Law, has died at the age of 94. Moore posited the theory, way back in the 1960’s that computer circuits would double the number of transistors in such a unit every 18 months. Many thought that was absurd and would run out of possibilities shortly.
Moore was, of course, more than right. When he wrote his idea, the best circuit around had 50 transistors. Today they have billions. And we are not done yet.
A Few Things to Contemplate in This Time of Warning
Beware the Ides
Most of us, even those who were not literature majors nor regular readers of Shakespeare, remember the phrase “Beware the Ides of March.” Well, that time on the calendar is almost here. Let’s look at a couple of things that are indeed worthy of our wariness.
The Havana Syndrome
A report is in from an interagency intelligence task force on the mysteries set of symptoms that have beset American diplomats and others overseas with a baffling and debilitating set of medical problems.
Presidents, Trains, Insurrection, and Talking to the Animals
President Carter
As this is being written, it has been announced that President Jimmy Carter is going home for hospice care. It appears we will lose him in the near term. Always sad to note a death, even for a long life of contributing and living values, but at 98 all indications are that he has decided it is time leave this realm.
Carter is a most interesting person. I voted for him, and glad that I did, but his administration had a good dose of errors,
Same for Me, Pretty Much. But Here are a Couple of Stories for Us All
The Fall of Sports
There was a time when I was pretty interested in sports. That is true for a lot of people, especially guys. But the last couple of decades have left me cold. It seems that professional sports consist mostly of millionaires (players) arguing constantly with billionaires (owners) and neither group cares much about the fans or the communities that host teams.
It’s all about money, power, and fame. Far too many players reject their roles (and obligations) as role models.
Join the discussion at: Say You are Not Interested in Sports?
