Category: Life Lessons

I met Eric just like I met a couple hundred teenagers over the past several summers.  He was interested in a summer program I ran as a part of the Michigan Works system.  He heard about the program from one of his high school teachers, completed an application, and I went to the school to …

The C. V. Whitney Farm in Lexington, Kentucky was a very successful thoroughbred horse farm.   I lived there for two weeks the summer of my thirteenth year.  My friend, Bill, invited me to go with him and his family for two weeks in July.  His maternal grandfather was the supervisor of the farm’s operations, and …

During the pandemic, Ruth and I, like most, hunkered down and watched more TV than usual. We limited our viewing, as best we could, to a couple hours each evening. We like different things, so finding a happy medium was sometimes a challenge. I gave up most shoot-em-up, action flicks, and she didn’t insist I …

The first time I recall using a squeegee, I was working in Royal Oak at the National Food Store on Stephenson Highway just off 11 Mile.  I was hired as a stock boy in the fall of my junior year. One of the jobs the stock boys were assigned was cleaning the giant front windows …

I was talking with a friend of over forty years the other day.  He asked if I was having any problems remembering things. He shared he was having issues and wondered if I was experiencing anything similar.  I told him, “I have some problems with my nouns.  I sometime forget the names of things.  My …

I’ve played poker with a group from Lake LeAnn since 1977.  Bammer and I are the lone original members.  The group has played every two weeks since its inception.  We’ve had guys move away, get jobs that required them to work evenings, and a couple “just quit”.  A few substitutes became regulars.  A couple guys dropped …

I received a book in March of 2005 from my daughter, Elizabeth.  Courage was written by Bernard Waber.  It’s a picture book which explains there are all types of courage.  She received a copy from the vice-president of the company she was working for at the time.  During a presentation to his employees, he asked …

I received a Kindle Fire for Christmas about ten years ago.  Its proven to be a great gift.  I enjoy downloading books and movies.  I watch most of the movies while flying with airlines that offer no such option.  It’s a good way to pass the time.  Ruth doesn’t care for adventure films with a …

I wrote stories in February and April of last year about my friend, Chuck, and a lot we owned in Rotunda West, Florida.  We purchased it over fifty years ago as an investment.  We were young entrepreneurs who knew nothing about real-estate investing but took the plunge anyway. We made a plan to sell the …

Over the years I’ve learned one of the best ways to teach something is by example.  Doing a good deed demonstrates more than talking about one.  My dad taught me a lot without telling me he was teaching me.  He did things, and I imitated him.  I don’t recall a time when his actions contradicted …