Darwin Slocum put up a hell of a battle. It was the early 1980s, and the tiny University of Wisconsin campus in Medford was attempting to stay open. It was the smallest campus of 27 that made up the University of Wisconsin system. I was dispatched from the central office …
“Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson Just a minute, Ralph Waldo. The universe has not been so supportive of me recently. Several months ago, I made the decision to be more social with my neighbors. After living on …
About 50% of total health care costs in the United States are spent on 5% of the population. As I’m aging, I fear I’m taking more than my share. Older adults eat up more health care costs than younger members of the population. Scott, my pal, says we’ve earned it. I’m …
Do you have an evening ritual that takes you from your daily duties to your nighttime bliss? I do. I take off my socks, and I’m a different guy. I wiggle my toes. My naked feet embrace the cool hardwood floor of my bedroom. I’m a free man, ready to do nothing …
Connie turned 80 last week. She’s my big sister, and I love her. When I was a grade school kid, Connie woke me up in the dark. We walked our golf bags a mile to the golf course before it opened. Nine holes later, Connie left for work. I went back to bed. Connie was …
Augie, my clumsy angel, was giving me another one of his lectures. He caught me “saying bad words” as I attempted to button my shirt – a real chore due to my severe carpal tunnel syndrome. Augie: “I taught you better than this. My Boss created pullover shirts that have no …
The South Skunk River flooded the driving range when I was 11. It took me out of my golf ball picker-upper job for six days. But it was grand. Floyd Penkhus, my boss, let Steve, the Hedberg boys and me use his red rowboat, and off we went. We took a left at the 225-yard …
One of the pleasant times of my life was in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. I had fled Denver, my failed sports magazine and my mismanagement of The Four Winds Hotel. It was a truly crazy and dangerous spot for me. In place of these ventures was a job at one of the little campuses of …
My friend, Merritt, thought I should get tested for COVID-19. I could have waved him off, but he’s my doctor, too. I tell him how good I’ve been with social distancing. I show him my red, rough hands from all my scrubbing. I say I’ve stayed home for the last four …
After many years, I figured out how to maintain a thriving company. Get a Susan. I started The Change Companies® 32 years ago. My wife and I poured our few dollars, our hearts and an abundance of energy into making a go of it. After a couple years, we moved the company …