On Immigration

After all there is but one race – humanity.
––     George Moore
From: “The Bending of the Bough:  A Comedy in Five Acts“
I am a man;  I count nothing human foreign to me.
––     Publius Terentius Afer (aka:  Terence)
From the play:  “Heauton Timorumenos, The Self-Tormentor“
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On This Day In:
2023	Speaking Of Death
	Still Praying
2022	Is Normal Just Routine?
2021	The Rush Is On
	Another Rerun  (How Many Tears)
2020	It Is Still About Sharing And Cheering
2019	Sounds Like #LyingDonald
2018	Start Building
2017	Woof! Woof!
2016	Cast Out
2015	Small Pieces
	Happy Father’s Day!  (Love Without End, Amen;  My Dad;  That’s My Job)
2014	Uncertain Work
2013	Unpatriotic And Servile
2012	What Price Freedom?
2011	Particular Importance
	Three From Bette…

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What If?

“Can’t Hurt Me” (2018©) — book review
Today’s book is an autobiographical / self-help / inspiration book written by David Goggins.  Mr. Goggins is a former Navy SEAL (SEa, Air And Land) team member AND a U.S. Army Ranger school graduate (honor graduate).  (Note:  Mr. Goggins graduated Ranger training and is entitled to wear the “Ranger” Tab, but he never served in a Ranger Unit.  Technically, he is Ranger “qualified” but he was never an “actual” Ranger.)  He is more famous (world-wide fame) for his exploits as an “ultra”-athlete.  He has competed in many ultra-distance running and cycling events and won several.  At one time, he was the record holder for most pull-ups in a 24 hour period (although he stopped after breaking the prior record in just under 18 hours).  He is currently a professional motivation / inspiration speaker.
The book covers the author’s abusive childhood / family life, through his high school years and into his military service and then some of his post-retirement years as a fire-fighter / fire-jumper.  I believe the author is strictly a professional motivational speaker now, but he continues to train / workout.  (‘Cause that’s what he does…)
Background:  I first read about David Goggins when I was getting into ultra-distance running.  I’ve had a bad heart (AFib) for almost 20 years now and back in the late 2000s I imagined I could train my way out of my heart issues.  That never happened, but I did log a couple of thousand miles jogging in the attempt.  Elite ultra-athletes (David Goggins, Dean Karnazes and Scott Jurek) became my “new” athletic heroes.  I’d seen this book around in book stores, but after heart surgery and continuing “issues”, I didn’t really see much point in buying a copy.  My daughter had a copy given to her, so I borrowed it…
Is the book interesting?  Informative?  Entertaining?  Inspirational?  Is it worth the time to read it?  To be honest, the answer to all five of those questions is mostly so-so…
I found it a fast read because it touched on several common personal experiences, so I felt like I had a bit in common with the author.  The problem is I “really” don’t have ALL that much in common…  (LoL)  The author wants to be considered the best of the best of the best.  I don’t and I don’t believe I have ever wanted to be.  I’ve always just wanted to be “good” at whatever I do.  I’m a bit of a loner – like the author – but I don’t particularly wallow or glory in that introvert status.  It merely is what it is…
Goggins repeatedly discusses how he pushes through injury to do what others find unimaginable – like running on broken legs / feet.  I’m more of a “never do anything today, that’ll prevent you from doing your workout tomorrow” kind of person.  As such, I compete with myself (what’s my personal best) and not against others (“stealing the others soul”).  Don’t get me wrong.  I’m used to be as competitive as the next person (on average), but I’ve mostly outgrown my egotistical need to prove my “value” by killing myself to win.
The author had a terribly abusive childhood (physical and emotional) and he doesn’t seem to have overcome it.  Instead, he has channeled childhood abuse into an adulthood based around proving his “manliness” to himself (and others) by abusing himself under the belief this toughens his mind so he can do more and better than anyone thinks possible.  I’ve known a few obsessive people in my life, but NOBODY at Mr. Goggins level.
What about interesting and entertaining?  Again, so-so…  The book is interesting as a psychological study in personal motivation / obsession, but I can’t say it was “entertaining”.  How the author continually challenged himself and found ways to deal with his personal difficulties – mental (dyslexia, fear of water, fear of public speaking) and physical (taping broken bones, preparing for ultra-events and training for flexibility) were very interesting, but of very little entertainment value.
I had two “real” problems with reading this book and they both centered around language.  The first was probably the most trivial.  The author likes to use the “f**k” word – a lot.  I normally don’t mind swearing when it’s in context and / or used for emphasis.  I find it distasteful when used because you know how to pronounce it and / or just feel like saying it.  How “bad” is it?  Well, let’s just say it’s bad enough the publisher has come out with a separate edition which is advertised a “Clean Edition”.  LoL
The second language issue is the author’s assertion that male weakness makes you female – more specifically a portion of the female genitalia anatomy.  Give me a break!  I’ve known women who were smarter than me and some who were “better” athletes at some sports.  …Just like men are.  The ability to endure physical pain is not unique or specific to the male of the human species.   I think Mr. Groggins recognizes this (at some level) because he admits to modifying his own running style from being a plodder to being a graceful “floater”.  The “floater” kicked his butt in their competition.  He also states (near the end of the book) that some of the female fire-jumpers were every bit as tough as he was – endurance wise – when battling mountain fires for multiple hours over multiple days.  They (the women) were just as “hard” as the men.  Would it have been harder to just say:  “committed, dedicated, and tough”?  (pun intended)
Well, is this book worth your time, then?  Yes!  It is easy to see why some “wanna-be” tough guys (men and women) would want to hear the author speak and / or read this book.  At a certain level, it is an inspirational story – very inspirational.  If that’s what you are looking for, you’ll find it in this writing / life story.  It’s just a shame and a missed opportunity that the author was not able to demonstrate where the line between compulsion and normalcy is drawn and if it is possible to have one foot in both camps.  There is nothing inherently wrong with striving to be the best or world class at any endeavor.  The problem I have is there “really” isn’t ALWAYS a next challenge.  (IMHO) You can be the greatest warrior in the world, but if you never took an instant to enjoy the past or a poem or the sight of cherry tree blossoming, you have still missed the “best” from living life to the fullest.
The few brief paragraphs about the author’s reconciliation with his estranged brother was a hint there is more to the author’s life.  It’s a shame he didn’t feel confident enough about himself to go THERE.  We might have learned a lot more of value for the time we invested in sharing his pain.
Final recommendation:  Moderate to Strong recommendation.  In spite of my (somewhat) less than positive comments, I enjoyed this book and am not ashamed to admit some of it was vicarious admiration.
Disclaimer:  I did not purchase and do not own a copy of this book.  I borrowed my daughter’s copy.  Read it.  And have since returned it.  I believe she received it as a gift from a friend.
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On This Day In:
2023	New Challenges And New Opportunities
2022	But Don’t Be A Rocking Horse
2021	Be Interesting
	Wonder What Is Wrong With Me (Here Comes The Night)
2020	To Our #IdiotInChief: Wear A Mask!
2019	Silent Purpose
2018	Just Bake The Cake, Man
2017	Visible Proof
2016	Poor Enough Means
2015	Still Standing
	Follow Your Heart
2014	Just Reminded
2013	A Fine Balance
2012	One Measure
2011	Seeking The Common Ground
	In Brightest Day…

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MAGA’s Continuing Faith And Support Of #DonTheFelon

Those who trusted at the wrong time and place will in turn mistrust at the wrong time and place.
—     Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach
It’s easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled.
—     Mark Twain
(Frequently attributed to Twain, but there is no proof he ever wrote / said this.)
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On This Day In:
2023	New Challenges And New Opportunities
2022	But Don’t Be A Rocking Horse
2021	Be Interesting
	Wonder What Is Wrong With Me (Here Comes The Night)
2020	To Our #IdiotInChief: Wear A Mask!
2019	Silent Purpose
2018	Just Bake The Cake, Man
2017	Visible Proof
2016	Poor Enough Means
2015	Still Standing
	Follow Your Heart
2014	Just Reminded
2013	A Fine Balance
2012	One Measure
2011	Seeking The Common Ground
	In Brightest Day…

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Predicting Chaos

A cause so tiny as to escape us results in a considerable effect which we are unable to predict;  we then attribute this effect to chance.
—    Henri Poincaré
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On This Day In:
2023	I’m Rarely Charming (Unfortunately, I Think)
2022	It Worked For Me
2021	It Doesn’t Stop
	I Feel Like I’m Winning (Sundown)
2020	#45: 14.81 Lies Per Day
2019	Less Miserable Now
	So Near And Yet So Far
2018	I Doubt #45 Is Listening?
2017	Life’s Oddity
2016	Just Asking…
2015	Two Thoughts On Thinking
2014	From The Top, Please…
2013	You Are The Stars
2012	Just One??
2011	Anything But

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#24: RIP – Willie Mays

RIP – The “Say Hey, Kid”
It was with profound sadness that today I learned of the passing of one of my childhood heroes:  the great Center Fielder for the San Francisco Giants, the “Say Hey Kid” – #24 – Willie Howard Mays Jr.
Most will talk about your speed, your running grace, your hitting, your fielding brilliance…  I will remember you for your contagious love for the game of baseball.  It was a privilege to be able to watch you play.
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On This Day In:
2023	Goals / Test (2023 Update)
2022	Goals / Test
2021	Waiting For The Sting
	Right From The Start (Don’t Go Breaking My Heart)
2020	Reward Truth In November
2019	Prepare For The 2020 Election
2018	Why #45 Is Uncivil And Sinking
	Ole! … Ole, Ole, Ole
	Is This Still The United States Of America?
2017	Go Where?
2016	Returning To The Same Box
2015	The Hunter’s Music
2014	Dedication
2013	Unhappy Alternatives
2012	Implications
2011	Never Let Us Down

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Goals / Test (2024 Update)

[This is a LONG post, so if you’re not interested in my musical / guitar progress, stop here and come back another day…   You’ve been warned!    —    kmab]
The following is my “goal” for learning / playing guitar for the remainder of this year (2024).
	Guitar Test
1.)	How much do you practice  —  # of Day (7) / week (52);  # of Hours (1) – due to health issues, I missed more days last year (2023) than in the prior two years (total).  I started in January 2021.  In ’21 and ’22, I was mostly practicing an hour a day, six or seven days a week.  Several months I only missed one day of practice.  So far (in 2024), I’m averaging about 4-5 days per week and 45-75 minutes per day.  Most days about 1 hour.  Most weeks, 5-6 days.  But, of course, life gets in the way…
2.)	How well do you know the fretboard  —  progressing, but not fully “under my fingertips” memorized, yet.  Still making progress, but not instinctive except for “A” and “G” which are pretty much muscle memory.
3.)	Knowledge of major & minor scale for natural notes —  good on all single strings and making progress on six-string scales.  I know the shapes, but can’t call out the notes or go to each simply by name (except “A” – which I can do, but not at a “full” playing speed).  I’ve spent a lot of time this year (2024) practicing major and minor on single strings.
4.)	Knowledge of major & minor chords  —  open & barred.  Forms are good, but still poor on naming the notes (as in letter / name of “1”, “3” and “5”) while playing.  I have a physical issue of my fretting fingers being too large for most barred chords above 6-fret “A” in “E” shape barre, so the “CAGED” system doesn’t really work for me – despite spending a considerable amount of time trying.  “A” shape barre is okay (more or less) full neck length.  “E” and “D” shapes are so far impossible past 6-fret.
5.)	Perform three:  Maj7, Min7 & Dom7 chords — little to no progress.  I “looked” at them, but haven’t practiced them.  (2024)  Still virtually no progress.
6.)	Playing & modifying a chord progression  —  making progress.  Best with (most practice of) “G”, “C”, “D” and “Am” or “Em”.  Also working on adding walk-ups and walk-downs.  I’m much improved on changing chords, but it’s still nowhere near instinctive.  I constantly have to “think” about which is the next chord.  Walk-ups / downs are now fun to incorporate, but still too easy to forget.
7.)	Perform three different Arpeggios  —  anywhere on the fretboard;  no “real” progress.  I can hit individual notes in a chord all the way up the neck, but it’s not “really” informed arpeggiating.  (2024)  Arpeggios aren’t the problem.  Inversions are the problem.  Even with regular practice, it is too much thinking and not useful / practical.
8.)	Build a Major scale (at least 3)  —  demonstrate a knowledge of scale formulas (along 1 string)  —  done for Major and Minor for all six open strings.  I still need to work on major and minors from string notes further up the neck.  (2024) Considerable progress made here on both Major and Minor and single string and across two octaves (six strings) – pentatonic and full scales.
9.)	Name the tones of four major key signatures  —  work in progress.  (2024)  No progress.
10.)	Name & explain three time signatures  —  count, beat, stresses & accents;  I can “explain”, but don’t have this under my fingertips.  (2024)  LoL.  I’ve forgotten all about this and anything I did know.  I have not been practicing reading sheet music, so all of this has gone by the board.
11.)	Explain note duration  —  whole, half, 1/4th, 1/8th, & 1/16th  —  explanation is the easy part.  Playing the notes consistently is a work in progress.   The exception is the 1/16 notes, which I am just not fast enough in my picking to play.  (2024)  Getting better in spurts.  Not able to sustain over the course of many bars and certainly not for an entire song.
Comments:  (Original)
Of course, the object of “learning” these things is not the inherent value of knowledge.  It is the ability to put the knowledge into use why playing the guitar.  Some of the items on the list are things I already “know”.  They are just (still) not yet under my fingertips.  That will come with time and practice…  Inshalla
Comments:  (2023)  (2024)
(2023)  Progress is slower than I thought it would be, but the process (practice) is still very enjoyable – so I continue.  (2024)  I’ve started coming to the conclusion I will never be more than a “dabbler”.  I’m simply not practicing any one thing long enough or consistently enough to establish core muscle memory.  I still look at my fretting hand for chord placement and note placement (although less so when freeforming on scale riffs).
Issues:
(2023)  I am still quite bad at reading standard music notation.  I am making progress with reading single notes, but cannot / do not recognize chords well enough to play them.  (2024)  I started to make a lot of progress towards the end of 2023, but then fell off on the practice of using sheet music to play from.  I “may” be able to pick it back up faster than originally learning it, but it does require fairly consistent work – which I simply do not put in.  Mea culpa, mea culpa…
(2023)  I still have terrible (no) rhythm / timing.  This makes playing songs problematic.  (2024)  Every so slightly better, but still bad / poor.
(2023)  The rhythm issue is compounded by inability to change between chords smoothly.  I am MUCH better, but not anywhere near a playing ability.  The pauses are simply too long and when I try to speed up, my fingers mute or buzz adjacent strings.  (2024)  This issue is compounded by my frequently switching between guitars.  The recommendation is to practice on one at a time until you get good with it.  I’ve yet to take this advice.  (LoL!)
(2023)  I can’t hear the notes in my head (from reading tab or normal notation) in advance of playing.  The only note I can hum with any consistency is “F#” on the sixth string.  (2024)  No change.  I can hear different tones while playing, but I cannot (still) hear them in advance of playing the note.  Also, my “F#” is actually a little sharp, so I can tune a guitar to itself, but every string is slightly sharp when verified with an electric tuner.  I am mildly surprised this tuning “error” doesn’t seem to effect the guitar’s harmonics.
(2023)  Because I use each of my guitars on a rota, I am not developing a player’s instrument expertise with any single one of them.  In other words, I am constantly learning (and relearning) the very minor physical changes required to get better on any individual instrument.  The flip side to this is I’m getting a much better physical exposure / expertise to (and with) the range of guitars:  neck and body shapes / sizes / weights;  frets and sound holes (if any);  and, comfortability of playing the different instruments.  (2024)  Every one of my guitars is slightly off somehow.  Either physically (neck shape / width) or structurally (body resonance).  My first guitar (steel string acoustic) was my favorite, but now I’m even getting nit-picky about how it sounds (brassy) / feels (neck is too thin).
(2023)  I am spending almost no time on the luthier side of guitar.  I need to work on this aspect without reducing my playing / practicing.  I also need to spend more time investigating the use of amps and pedals.  (I STILL play my electrics almost exclusively without plugging them into an amp.)  Time keeps on slippin’, slippin’ slippin’…  (2024)  Virtually no change on this.  I did some fret leveling / polishing / rounding on one guitar, but this can be time consuming and it is sometimes difficult to feel like there’s a benefit.  Perhaps I am getting closer to the point of “investing” in a single “better” (ie. more expensive) guitar and gifting the rest to other folks.  (Naaahhh!)
(2023)  The “secret” to getting better remains:  each day, learn a little more about guitar / music, and continue to practice consistently.  Try to get to a playable level at each skill before trying to add another skill (or nuance of that skill) – but continue to practice the prior skills, too.  And, of course, all of the above is difficult when I (you) MUST practice slow to get to a high enough skill level to begin practicing faster.
(2024)  I am getting better (slowly), but I doubt it would be very perceptible to others – particularly other musicians.  I am still almost always enjoying my hour a day practice and that is enough for me to keep at it.  I wish progress was faster, but it is what it is…
I have gotten okay (committed to memory) at parts of four songs:  “Happy Birthday“, “God Save the King” (“My Country ‘Tis of Thee“), “Ode To Joy“, and “Praise To The Lord“.  I am trying to add:  “The Star Spangled Banner“, “The Ballad of Paladin“, “Drunken Sailor“, “Ring of Fire” and the theme of “Star Trek (TOS)“.  The first two by sounding them out (very slow “ear” training) and the latter three by using tabs (much faster progress).
My wife finds it very annoying that I play the same songs over and over and over again.  LoL!!  Actually, I don’t.  I practice each bar individually.  I add one bar at a time.  I get better at the song.  I move to different tones for the same notes (different frets and strings, but the same notes).  Finally, I practice the same tone (interval) structure, but in a different key.  I do this to help me hear the differences (tones in keys) and to help me memorize the locations of the various notes.  Eventually, I hope to be able to play alternating verses in various (progressive) octaves and / or keys in a single song.
Last, but not least, I’ve started playing with finger-picking (Travis, classical, and Spanish) and adding percussion effects.  Just messing around, but it’s tremendous fun…
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On This Day In:
2023	Goals / Test (2023 Update)
2022	Goals / Test
2021	Waiting For The Sting
	Right From The Start (Don’t Go Breaking My Heart)
2020	Reward Truth In November
2019	Prepare For The 2020 Election
2018	Why #45 Is Uncivil And Sinking
	Ole! … Ole, Ole, Ole
	Is This Still The United States Of America?
2017	Go Where?
2016	Returning To The Same Box
2015	The Hunter’s Music
2014	Dedication
2013	Unhappy Alternatives
2012	Implications
2011	Never Let Us Down

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Are You Watching Faux News?

If you’re not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing.
―     Malcolm X
[The quote should be updated to include cable “news” sites and internet blogs.    —    kmab]
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On This Day In:
2023	Goals / Test (2023 Update)
2022	Goals / Test
2021	Waiting For The Sting
	Right From The Start (Don’t Go Breaking My Heart)
2020	Reward Truth In November
2019	Prepare For The 2020 Election
2018	Why #45 Is Uncivil And Sinking
	Ole! … Ole, Ole, Ole
	Is This Still The United States Of America?
2017	Go Where?
2016	Returning To The Same Box
2015	The Hunter’s Music
2014	Dedication
2013	Unhappy Alternatives
2012	Implications
2011	Never Let Us Down

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Just Humming Along…

Control your vibrations and you are the master of your own harmony.
—     Suzy Kassem
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On This Day In:
2023	If #TrumpTheTraitor Wins The 2024 Republican Nomination…
2022	A Very Few
2021	Or Blog Every Day
	Every Woman Should Have One (Long Cool Woman)
2020	Where Are We Going?
2019	One Before I Go
2018	And Blog Posts, Too
2017	Just Doin’ It
2016	Definitely Not Bell Shaped
2015	Dreadful Pity
2014	Worse Than Useless
2013	Personal Prisons
2012	So, Not Yet Then
2011	Real Love

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Why #45:DonTheFelon Can Never Act Wise

A wise man can play the part of a clown, but a clown can’t play the part of a wise man.
—     Malcolm X
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On This Day In:
2023	Just Ask Speaker Kevin McCarthy
	It’s Lonely Out There
2022	Sources Of Enthusiasm
2021	Start Reading / Start Building
	I Headed On Alone (Roll Me Away)
2020	Nurturing Trees And Plants
2019	Seeking Needs
2018	Not Sure Anyway…
	All Clear Nuclear And Burn
2017	Forms Of Conservation
2016	Oh, So Lacking
2015	e pluribus unum
2014	Nothing So Far Removed
2013	Positions
2012	Two Errors
2011	Long Live The King!

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I Hope We Choose Survival

The choice is with us still, but the civilization now in jeopardy is all humanity.  As the ancient myth makers knew, we are children equally of the earth and the sky.  In our tenure on this planet we’ve accumulated dangerous evolutionary baggage — propensities for aggression and ritual, submission to leaders, hostility to outsiders — all of which puts our survival in some doubt.  But we’ve also acquired compassion for others, love for our children and desire to learn from history and experience, and a great soaring passionate intelligence — the clear tools for our continued survival and prosperity.  Which aspects of our nature will prevail is uncertain, particularly when our visions and prospects are bound to one small part of the small planet Earth.  But up there in the immensity of the Cosmos, an inescapable perspective awaits us.  There are not yet any obvious signs of extraterrestrial intelligence and this makes us wonder whether civilizations like ours always rush implacably, headlong, toward self-destruction.  National boundaries are not evident when we view the Earth from space.  Fanatical ethnic or religious or national chauvinisms are a little difficult to maintain when we see our planet as a fragile blue crescent fading to become an inconspicuous point of light against the bastion and citadel of the stars.  Travel is broadening.
—     Carl Sagan
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On This Day In:
2023	Get Bigger
2022	Map Or GPS?
2021	Spending A Lifetime Learning To Draw
	Go A Little Slower (Low Rider)
2020	Light And Dark
2019	My Dog Scratches At The Bedroom Door
2018	One Person Can
2017	Been There, Thought That
2016	Diligent Students
2015	Unanswered Prayers (Unanswered Prayers)
2014	Pray, v.
2013	As I…
2012	But We Need Room
2011	A Definition Of Leadership

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Humming Along (While Blogging)

God gives us each a song.
––    Ute saying
Each bird loves to hear himself sing.
––     Arapaho saying
[Singing can be praying when your song praises God.    —    kmab]
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On This Day In:
2023	A Second Time
	Luke, I AM Your Father
2022	Someone’s Calling
2021	Is There A Devil In There?
	Until I Knew Her (Tough)
2020	The Other 1%
2019	Where Does This Leave Us?
2018	Or A Small Blue Planet
2017	To Infinity And Beyond
2016	And Some Unawake, Too
	Winds And Reign
2015	Natural Shapes
2014	Seeing The Light
2013	Requirements
2012	Tricked Again
2011	Liberty And Justice For Earth
2010	Home Again, Home Again, Jig-A-De, Jig…

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After Joining…

Lakota Instructions for Living
Friend do it this way – that is,
whatever you do in life,
do the very best you can
with both your heart and mind.
And if you do it that way,
the Power Of The Universe
will come to your assistance,
if your heart and mind are in Unity.
When one sits in the Hoop Of The People,
one must be responsible because
All of Creation is related.
And the hurt of one is the hurt of all.
And the honor of one is the honor of all.
And whatever we do affects everything in the universe.
If you do it that way – that is,
if you truly join your heart and mind
as One – whatever you ask for,
that’s the Way It’s Going To Be.
Passed down from White Buffalo Calf Woman
Found at:   https://www.legendsofamerica.com/na-proverbs/
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On This Day In:
2023	Just Wondering While Wandering
2022	Be More Cattle, Less Hat
2021	Why Republicans Are Failing America
	Dreams Come True (A Wonderful Dream)
2020	Normal Scientific Assumptions
2019	Close Change
2018	Don’t Break It
2017	Representative Government For The 99%
2016	Trying To Ignite Ice
2015	Or Increasingly Unwilling To Pay For…
2014	Returning Time
2013	Gentle Invitation
2012	Pleading The Insanity Defense
2011	Graduations And Conservatives
	The Big Sin

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You Are Alive

When you know who you are;  when your mission is clear and you burn with the inner fire of unbreakable will;  no cold can touch your heart;  no deluge can dampen your purpose.  You know that you are alive.
—     Chief Seattle
Duwamish Tribe / People
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On This Day In:
2023	Pretty Sure I’m Still Being Ignored
	It’s Not Like (Some) Republicans Didn’t Warn Us
2022	Two Years Later (Now 1,004,000+ Deaths And Inflation)
2021	One Year Later (Now 604,000+)
	Good Intentions (Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood)
2020	115,000+
2019	One Generation’s View
2018	The One Thing
2017	Never Give Up
2016	Which Generation Are We?
	Congratulations, Kyle!
2015	Centered
2014	Economic Trinity
2013	At Both Ends
2012	Holding Allowance
2011	The Power Of Good

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Stars, Flowers, Hope, Silence

May the stars carry your sadness away,
May the flowers fill your heart with beauty,
May hope forever wipe away your tears,
And, above all, may silence make you strong.
—     Chief Dan George
Tsleil-Waututh Nation
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On This Day In:
2023	I Disagree With Ralph
2022	So Why Not Try?
2021	One Likely Consequence
	Just A Carousel (People Make The World Go Round)
2020	Know Love
2019	Spoiler Alert
2018	Tic-Toc
2017	Explaining Working Class Support For Donald
2016	Not In My Experience
2015	Effort
2014	Honest Wants
2013	Faith, n.
2012	Surprise Me
2011	Confused With Truth

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Unless You Do It For Enjoyment

A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit.
––     Richard Bach
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On This Day In:
2023	All Americans Should Read The Indictment…
	Higher And Thinner
2022	Laying A Sound Foundation
2021	A Little…
	Bringing Back Memories (State Of Mind)
	Think Global – Act Local
2020	Was #IncompenentDonald Born To Be A Diplomat?
2019	Have You Planted Lately?
2018	Something / Nothing
2017	Kindness
2016	Dealing With It
2015	Too Many Choices!
2014	Vini, Vidi, Vici
2013	Heroes
	Education, n.
2012	Who I Want To Be
2011	Mythic Forgetfulness

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