Do you hope inside your heart that there’ll be better times ahead? And maybe, despite that hope you still have a foreboding sense of dread. I’d say those are both legitimate perspectives. And I’d also say you could legitimately feel … Read the rest
OK, a few years ago I shared a perspective on American independence that I connected with the political environment at the time. In case you hadn’t noticed, we’re in the throes of another political storm. So, I figured this would … Read the rest
Pete Rose died recently. I’m sure you know he was a famous baseball player who committed the cardinal sin of betting on baseball even as he managed the Cincinnati Reds. And if you know that, maybe you also know that … Read the rest
For several years I wrote a lot of short tunes that became jingles in advertising. And I wrote for all sorts of companies. If you lived in Colorado for any time during the past 20 years, and if you listened … Read the rest
For some reason I’ve seen several articles and memes, recently, with the same theme. Moderation is key. They seem to believe it’s the key to happiness. But I say moderation is key if you take it moderately. I know. Clever, … Read the rest
A Harvard Health Publishing report from back in 2011 said “one out of three senior citizens suffers at least one fall during the course of a year.” I know you’re too young to be the one out of three. But … Read the rest
Your government’s budget (and every other part) is NOT operating on or in a just and wise system. And if you ran your household like politicians run this country, you’d be a dead duck already. Dead duck. That’s kind of … Read the rest
Love when you can, cry when you have to. Be who you must, that’s a part of the plan. Await your arrival with simple survival. And one day we’ll all understand. One day we’ll all understand. Those are lyrics from … Read the rest
I doesn’t matter what I wish. What matters is what’s actually doable, possible, and true. And that’s not to say I’ll never wish for better things for our world. Because I’m sure I will. In fact, I have. Many times. … Read the rest
A huge amount of people (maybe the majority), on social media, aren’t listening to music. Well, maybe that’s not the best place for research. Even though social media IS the source of all truth. But here’s why I mentioned it. … Read the rest
There’s no safe haven on Earth. ”Uh, gee Wally. Why you gotta be such a Donnie Downer?” Look. I’m just sayin’. This planet ain’t no safe haven. Sure, there ARE safer spots than others when it comes to crimes like … Read the rest
A lot of people, especially Christians, feel that Christmas is a time for giving. And I’m not here to tell you anything different. But if giving is the (or even a) measure of giving, then think about what an amazing … Read the rest
Imagine, if you will, you’ve just spent the last 8 years studying to become a scientist. You attended a college and grad school with enviable credentials. And you passed all your courses with very high marks. You received your diploma, … Read the rest
Miss El and I are certainly a couple of cornballs. Because we truly enjoy watching TV shows that started even before we were born. And that’s a long time ago. One of the shows we’ve been watching, on YouTube recently, … Read the rest
Ocean waves and temperatures and levels are the key to your survival. Yeah, if they change, you might be doomed. Doomed I tell you!! And you thought ocean waves were just for surfing. You silly ninny. Have you ignored all … Read the rest
You might believe what I’m about to share with you from an American food ingredient checker. You might, but I think most Americans won’t believe it. Here’s some data the ingredient checker discovered. ~ These ingredients are banned in Europe. … Read the rest
There are obese Americans everywhere. All around in just about every situation. Miss El and I have noticed this epidemic especially in the heart of the heartland. And it’s an avoidable travesty. But it appears that obese Americans everywhere just … Read the rest
Have you heard any of those marketers who talk about working on your laptop on a beach? Of course, that’s just so much hype and silliness. I’m not saying it can’t be done. But most hard-working entrepreneurs don’t live that … Read the rest
I crunched my thumb in the door of our van this morning. And that’s how my day started. But my day is blessed. And I can always say my day is blessed. No matter what happens. And no matter how … Read the rest
Trivium. No, it’s not a new antidepressant. At least not yet anyway. The word, Trivium, is Latin for “the place where three roads meet.” And it’s also what they call the three stages of classical homeschooling. The Grammar Stage. The … Read the rest
My mother’s mother, also known as Grandma, spent the last few years of her life in a nursing home. She lived to be 91. And my mom said one of the few things Grandma could remember in her final months … Read the rest
My brother and I got an Aiwa reel-to-reel tape recorder for Christmas one year when we were pre-teens. And that might have been a Christmas that helped shape the course of my creative life. You’ve probably heard of an Aiwa … Read the rest
A few years ago I talked about sad conversations I had with friends, from my past, who were atheists. And I said those conversations were sad “because so many (if not all) atheists believe when you die, that’s it.” Darkness. … Read the rest
Since it’s now illegal to prevent crime in a lot of places in the USA, I’m guessing that must be true in even more progressive places. Like say, Europe. Or Australia. Or South America. So, I’m conjuring up a way … Read the rest
Some people, even some Christians, say that what’s going on, in the Southeast, is God getting our attention. Or maybe that He’s sending down some wrath on haters. Have you heard anything like that? I even watched a young woman, … Read the rest
Here’s a quick reminder. Back in 2009 I was in the middle of my three years as a music leader for a small Denver area church. The pastor did an excellent job of equipping the saints. And it was a … Read the rest
Before I share the key to success, let me assure you that my guess is you already know this. And I think it would be a good idea to define success. Don’t you? After all, if it’s only a vague … Read the rest
Allegory. Metaphor. Simile. I enjoyed learning about those words, and what they meant, in high school English composition class. And I love to find ways to use each one. It was mostly allegory that helped me tell the following story … Read the rest
The Hollies sang about the symbiotic relationship between humans and plants. What? You didn’t know that? Well, then you obviously never heard them sing, “All I need is the air that I breathe” in one of their hit songs. Sorry … Read the rest
I’m a big fan of a popular singer named Nilsson. Well, he’s a former popular singer because he’s no longer with us here on terra firma. Anyway. Nilsson (aka: Harry Nilsson) understood that independence is an illusion. And he sang … Read the rest
It was once a larger than life, imaginary-like concept. But now it’s a reality. No, I’m not talking about cheese crust pizza! C’mon, get your head in the game. This is WAY more fun than pizza. OK, so maybe that’s … Read the rest
Twenty-six years ago I remember hearing somebody say how corrupt our government has become. And they said it felt like people who want to stand up for truth, justice, and the American way (to quote from the old Superman TV … Read the rest
I bet you can think of more than one example of when somebody used roses in a song. Right? Yeah. There are plenty of songs where roses play a big part. Because there’s just something about that one flower. And … Read the rest
The world is a very serious place to me now. I wrote that on my blog over 11 years ago. And, as you might imagine, it’s an even more serious place now. But I don’t wanna finish this last Tuesday … Read the rest
She played the song many times on that Hi Fi record player from the 60’s. And she said it was one of her all-time favorites. I was a young whippersnapper. So, I had no idea that the piano instrumental of … Read the rest
Sunday. A day of peace and quiet. Yeah, maybe that’s true for you. But the world is filled with horrible, terrible things that humans are doing to other humans even as you read this. So, still ready to enjoy some … Read the rest