“I don’t know if this recording will ever be heard, but in a little while I’m going to hit “send” anyhow. I figure there is a chance, despite the transmission we received months ago. Lou said things on Earth had gone to shit and we might not hear from mission control again, much less expect … Continue reading Last Message from Mars →

"But though this be a state of liberty, yet it is not a state of license; though man in that state have an uncontrollable liberty to dispose of his person or possessions, yet he has not liberty to destroy himself, or so much as any creature in his possession, but where some nobler use than … Continue reading Freedom →

I was fortunate to travel to New York City from time-to-time in the early 1970’s. My father and I took these opportunities to watch the construction of the World Trade Center. After we watched the towers fall in 2001, it crossed my mind that Red Skelton was right. Red believed we are put on earth … Continue reading 9-11 →

One of my most unusual opportunities was teaching trumpet to “Mazeppa” from the Broadway show, Gypsy. In 1975, I got a call from the director asking me if I would teach the actress playing Mazeppa enough trumpet to play a few notes. We set up a date for her to meet me at the door … Continue reading Gimmicks →

“A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you.” – C.S. Lewis We’ve been told to be proud of many things – our heritage, our community, our country, our children, and ourselves. Yet, we’ve also … Continue reading Pride →

While sorting things out at my parent’s house, I found a few items I made in high school shop class – a candelabra, a miniature anvil, and a center punch. My mother kept these mementos for me. I had all but forgotten about them. Mom was right, though. Seeing these things after so many years … Continue reading Respect →

What is hell like? Comedian Lewis Black remarked that his answer to that question is Middle School. I agree. But it’s also a pretty unfortunate observation about the times we’re living through. We don’t need to wait for hell to experience never-ending Middle School on Earth. I say this because Middle School is a time … Continue reading Middle School →

Baby boomers and many of their parents were sold on the notion of saving their memories. I know my parents collected thousands of slides, print photos, super-8 film reels, records, cassettes, and video tapes. Snapshots of vacations and every event they wanted to “remember.” Camera and film companies encouraged them and us to “capture the … Continue reading Memories →

“That is a reason, not an excuse,” Mr. Miller, my high school physics teacher, used to say. It was a good lesson. We can rationalize – provide reasons for – doing poorly on a test or project, being late to class or work, or losing a game or a promotion. And so, we all try … Continue reading Excuses →

In the 1960’s, Andy Warhol famously predicted, “In the future, everyone will be famous for fifteen minutes.” His prediction turned out to be right. The speed of modern communications and the rise of the internet have made it so. Most of us may not be seeking fifteen minutes of fame, but we all seek confirmation … Continue reading Greatness →