Category: Life Lessons

My first day as a teacher took place fifty-one years ago.  My first as an elementary school principal was forty-three, and I started my superintendent gig twenty-nine years ago.  All were memorable, but I expect none will be as memorable as the first day of school for students this year. My first day of teaching …

My sister, Jackie, has a friend, Ted, that’s been a salesmen for the 30 plus years I’ve known him.  My first recollection of him is as a medical supply salesmen.  During that run he also sold shoes on Tuesday evenings.  He’s a few years older than me, but he’s still hitting the bricks.  Medical supplies …

A couple of weeks ago while playing golf with my league partner, Bruce, I  was faced with a difficult shot.  I could attempt to hit the ball over a swamp or play a fade around the danger (a fade flies left to right for right handed golfers).  I don’t always get the carry I need, …

During my teaching years several of my teaching friends and I went on “adventures”.  Most were not well thought out.  We got an idea and put it into play without considering the consequences of our actions and the difficulties that might present themselves.  One adventure involved two poker friends and the reading of a short …

I read the latest edition of my AARP magazine the other day.  I focused on an article regarding scams and the elderly.  Seems my age makes me highly qualified in this department. Scammers might call me “essential”.  The author outlines a list of several  pitfalls that scammers use and the scammed fall for.  According to …

The move to Lake LeAnn was huge. Not only did we purchase a house on a lake, it had two fireplaces. Living on a lake, and having a fireplace, were big parts of my “dream house”. I thought both would provide great enjoyment for a number of years. I was right. Many years passed before …

Ruth and I had our first run in with varmints the first year we married.  We lived in our house on Stockbridge in Kalamazoo.  It was a two story Victorian, with a third story attic, that had been retrofitted into two units.  We lived in the lower unit and rented the upper. The exterior needed …

While I was going through physical therapy for my knee surgery, one of the therapists suggested that I purchase a new pair of shoes.  “Your shoes look good, but they are not supplying the arch support that you require.”  She went on to recommend a store and a brand for me to consider.  I took …