Timing is Everything

We watched it snow this morning while making coffee and feeling a bit nostalgic for mountain weather of years gone by. The birds are busy maneuvering for position at the one feeder still remaining. This is the sacrificial feeder, a cheap $14 model from Walmart that the bear will soon pull down to announce that … More Timing is Everything

A Dog’s Life

“It’s a dog’s life” comes to us from the 16th century, when the expression referred to the general misery of the canine clan at the hands of their human masters. The idiom evolved into a proverb, “It’s a dog’s life – hunger and ease” a century later. Today the phrase continues its semantic odyssey, and … More A Dog’s Life

Staying On Target

Whether we want it or not, we’re going to be hearing about guns and gun control for some time to come. There is a better than average chance that you already have a strong opinion on the subject, and there is a less than average chance that your opinion will ever change. Nevertheless, in keeping … More Staying On Target

Letting Go

We hear a lot about the wisdom of letting go. Letting go is often recommended by daytime television hosts and their guests. It’s almost a panacea for all the ailments of modern life. There are, of course, many things that should be let go, and some of them the quicker, the better. There is nothing … More Letting Go

In Their Own Words

We watched the State of the Union address last night.  We watch those speeches no matter who occupies the White House, and though the words rarely move the needle for change, there is still a sense of watching history unfold. Whether we’re standing in ovation or scowling in our seats (like some of our celebrated … More In Their Own Words

Commitment

The making and keeping of commitments is a basic requirement for a civil society. Civilization falls apart when people stop keeping promises. On a personal level, keeping commitments is necessary for self-esteem. In addition to keeping the promises we make to others, we need to keep the promises we make to ourselves, like sticking to … More Commitment