Lately, I’ve been thinking about many things at once. The sacrifices of our soldiers. The life of my Uncle James, cut short at the close of WWII. He served in the 703rd Tank Destroyer Battalion and was shot within days of being sent home. I’ve also had the COVID-19 pandemic on my mind, with all … Continue reading Inside My Head →

With my deepest respect for Chadwick Boseman, who let his work speak for him. My Dad and I once talked about the importance of being able to demonstrate your ability rather than just talk about it. One day, after we went to a jazz band concert, he told me his favorite performer of the night … Continue reading Let Your Horn Do the Talking →

The law is one thing – human behavior is another. While we might think a policy or law will solve a problem, common practice is often more powerful than written rules. We need to remember the statutes and court decisions that enabled the slave trade, the Jim Crow era, and discriminatory housing and lending were … Continue reading Majority Rule →

Be careful what you wish for... “I am the Genie of the lamp. Your wish is my command.” “Hi, I’m Jerry. Jerry Duke. How many wishes do I get?” “Three, Jerry. Haven’t you seen ‘Aladdin’?" “Just checkin’. Let’s see what ya got. I wish I owned all the gold in Fort Knox.” “A rather mundane … Continue reading Jerry and the Genie →

“Don’t make yourself stupid…” My dad said this to me a few times when I was growing up. I think this phrase was intended to remind me not to overcomplicate things, not to make small problems big, not to confuse myself with speculation, but to look for the best in others and just solve the … Continue reading Don’t Make Yourself Stupid →

Once upon a time there was a little blue rubber band. He lived across the street from two big brawny red rubber bands. One day, the big red rubber bands called out to the little blue rubber band. “Hey, ya wanna play a game?”

In life there are many pairs of opposites. Order and freedom. Reason and passion. Justice and mercy. Equality and individuality. Tradition and innovation. Like long tones and lip slurs, these represent divergent goals.

"The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity." - W.B. Yeats I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about uncertainty. I’m uncertain how much. I’ve thought about it so much my mind sometimes gets twisted in knots. Like the King in the famous musical, “In my head are many facts, … Continue reading In No Uncertain Terms →

“Seatbelts Save Lives.” When I was growing up, I saw this slogan often. Even before seatbelt laws, ads encouraged people to wear seatbelts. I remember watching driving safety films in high school that graphically depicted what could happen if the driver or passengers of a car didn’t wear seatbelts. They also showed what could happen … Continue reading Coyote Logic →

Captain’s Log: Now have 6 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies remaining. Make that 5. Our mission has been extended. Concerned supply won’t last. So far crew unaware of the problem. Sooner or later they will figure it out. Captain's Log: Down to last box of Girl Scout cookies. Rationing in order. Decided to keep them … Continue reading Captain’s Log: Social Distancing →