One journal question I posed to my mom was, “What did kids do for fun living on the farm?” From Irene: I’m sure we had more fun than the town kids. That’s why they would stay with us on the weekends. We’d jump down from the haymow into the mangers below filled with straw for …
Shortly before my mom and dad died in 1999, I created tailored journals for them to chronicle their lives as children and young adults. I cherish their stories today as I match their memories with pictures I have of them back on their farms in central Iowa. Below are a few …
It’s challenging for me to figure out when it’s time to kick back or press forward. I’ll bet many of you are asking yourselves the same question. On some sunny days, I think I should spend the rest of my life frolicking with my dogs, going on leisurely hikes in the …
Experts say everyone dreams three to six times each night. I never paid much attention to my dreams until recently. For some silly reason, I’m trying to understand my inner self better as I get older. Carl Jung and other bright psychologists say the gate to your unconscious …
Sometimes I get hungry at night after Sherry goes to bed. The other day, I spotted a package of microwave caramel corn at SaveMart. I never had heard of such a thing. Since I was by myself, I slipped it into my basket along with the beets, asparagus and other healthy foods I …
I hope for all kinds of things for myself and for others. I hope to be able to take my mask off when I’m talking to a friend. I hope my grandsons find their way into adulthood without any major slip-ups (don’t follow your grandpa’s example). I hope there is less political …
As I went through my stack of Christmas cards for a second peek, one stood out. It really wasn’t a holiday card at all. On the front was a beautiful beach scene at sunset, with no mention of this jolly time of year. Inside, there was no inscribed message wishing me a joyous …
Sherry and I had a little spat today. No big thing. I was being a jerk again. Then, I failed to respond to a good friend’s request. It would have been so easy to make his day. This evening, I’m scratching my head while asking myself this question: “Do I give my …
As a young teenager, I remember getting caught – again – telling my mother, Irene, a big whopper. My response: “I don’t know why you can’t just trust me!” Recently, when I read Joel Peterson’s excellent business book “The 10 Laws of Trust,” I thought back on the many …
Willie Wilkerson was a real whiner. He wouldn’t last a day at The Change Companies®, where we’ve posted a sign promoting our solution to life’s little challenges. It says, “Buck up. Eat a banana. Walk around the block.” This message certainly could have helped my friend. I …
