Magazine Posts

Not to brag, but I consider myself an expert in the field of mental health. That’s because I’ve spent two decades attempting (usually in vain) to decipher the complex inner workings of the minds of children – specifically mine... More at View from the Bleachers ➜

I recently made a car rental reservation online through DOLLAR RENT A CAR. But when I reached their rental car counter at a few minutes before its closing time, I learned something very unexpected: DOLLAR RENT A CAR does not rent cars - at least not to me. Imagine my surprise. 
Read the heartfelt letter I sent thanking them for the truly unforgettable experience they put me through.

Memorial Day honors all service members who lost their lives while in service to the United States, during peace and war. It is a time to reflect on those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

    "Soldiers Memorial Day"
   Hymn by Mary B. C. Slade

When flow’ry Summer is at hand,
And Spring has gemm’d the earth with bloom,
We hither bring, with loving hand,
Bright flow’rs to deck our soldier’s tomb.

                  (Chorus)
Gentle birds above are sweetly singing
O’er the graves of heroes brave and true;
While the sweetest flow’rs we are bringing,
Wreath’d in garlands of red, white and blue.

They died our country to redeem,
And from the loving earth we bring
The wealth of hill, and vale, and stream,
Our grateful land’s best offering

                 (Chorus)
With snowy hawthorn, clusters white,
Fair violets of heav’nly blue,
And early roses, fresh and bright,
We wreathe the red, and white, and blue.

But purer than the fairest flowers,
We strew above the honored dead,
The tender changeless love of ours,
That decks the soldier’s lowly bed.

                   (Chorus)
We bend and kiss the precious sod,
Swift fall our tears the graves above
Oh! Brothers! from the hills of God,
Look down and see our changeless love.

Written by Mary B. C. Slade in 1870, two years after Gen. John A. Logan first declared May 30th a Memorial Day for decorating the graves of fallen soldiers. Music to her words was written by Perkins, W. O. (William Oscar). In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May. The change went into effect in 1971. Read about the Origins of Memorial Day

Now that I’m retired, I’ve been looking for a hobby to keep me busy and get me out of the house. And I think I’ve finally found it: Searching for Bigfoot.You see, I live in the Pacific Northwest, practically Ground Zero for Bigfoot sightings over the past 50 years. Searching for Bigfoot will get me off the couch and out of the house, so I figure my wife will be all for this idea. Plus, I don’t have to get up before 10am, which is ideal for this job because from what I hear, Bigfoot’s not an early morning riser either. Read how I plan to go about searching for the elusive Big Guy. Wish me luck!

Earth Day is an annual event celebrated on April 22 since 1970, to demonstrate support for environmental protection. It is an important reminder that we all have a role to play in protecting the planet. Together, we can create a more sustainable future for ourselves and for generations to come. 
Credit for the Earth Day idea goes to Gaylord Nelson, an American politician from Wisconsin and leading figure in the fight against environmental degradation and social injustice. "It may have been Gaylord Nelson’s idea, but American citizens made it happen”. Rachel Carson, a marine biologist and best-selling author provided the spark for this movement with the 1962 publication of her book, "Silent Spring" which showed the devastating effects of modern pesticides on the natural world. Read more about the origin of Earth Day

For the past several years, my wife Michele and I have had a running debate about how much stuff to hold onto and whether or not to give away (or in some cases, throw away) some of the rarely used excess items lying around the house.
Michele has a long list of what she considers to be totally unnecessary items that are no longer being used, just taking up space, and should be given away. I’m cautiously optimistic to report that as of this writing, I am not one of the items on that list. But I suspect I’m on the bubble........ Read more

Saint Patrick (c. 385 – c. 461), the foremost patron saint of Ireland. Saint Patrick's Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick,  commemorates Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, and, by extension, celebrates the heritage and culture of the Irish in general.is a religious and cultural holiday held on 17 March, Wikipedia

The December Solstice brings in the astronomical winter and summer seasons for the two hemispheres of our planet - The winter season for the Northern Hemisphere and the summer season for the Southern Hemisphere. On the day of a solstice, the Earth is at its maximum tilt, 23.5 degrees, either toward or away from the sun. In the northern hemisphere the date marks the 24-hour period with the fewest daylight hours of the year.

"The Peruvian Amazon is a magical and mysterious destination where you can enjoy a romantic getaway or an adventure without a parallel...... one of its most charming places and full of natural beauty is the beautiful Sandoval Lake. A perfect example where you can appreciate the different and numerous wildlife while you marvel at the dreamy landscapes” Read more