I once had a boss who loved to use the phrase “Hope is not a strategy” to shut down coworkers during status meetings. If a team member used the word “hope,” as in “we hope this new campaign will…” or “we hope the new pricing will…,” he would interrupt with, “Hope is not a strategy.” While I never contradicted him[…]
On Trash…
This week, a half-dozen famous women took a trip into space, an opportunity previously reserved for educated and trained astronauts on purposeful missions to collect data potentially beneficial to human kind. But this wasn’t that serious. Unless I am missing something, these women got this chance because of their fame and/or excessive wealth, and was just for the fun of[…]
On a Six Months Report…
It is April 14, 2025. In addition to being my baby brother’s 58th birthday, it is the six month anniversary of my Mitral Clip procedure. I get to celebrate by taking one less pill after today. This morning I took the final pill in my bottle of blood thinners. To commemorate the day, I got a nasty paper cut getting[…]
On Retirement…
Hello to the old broad with dirt up to her elbows. I really look forward to getting to know her.
On What ALSO Is…
The Cozumel sky is this blue; the Cozumel water ALSO is this blue.
On What IS…
Serenity comes when you trade expectations for acceptance. – Buddha When I get up in the morning, Charles is already awake and he always has coffee ready. I’ve learned to expect that, and I am grateful for it. But, if one day the coffee is not ready when I get up, do I have the right to be angry or[…]
On What Others Think; Like Father – Like Daughter…
My Daddy and I liked to ride horses. He taught me to ride. But that is not things we shared in common. On the night the above photo was taken, I had been indulging in another of our commonalities. After which I thought going barefoot after midnight through an artistic display of the Oklahoma land rush and hop on one[…]
On Dressing the Octopus…
Living this life is like trying to put a shirt on an octopus. Unless you have a custom shirt specifically designed to be worn by a cephalopod, along with a very compliant eight legged beast, your chance of success, as you define it, are very slim indeed. The task ends in frustration, and the octopus is still naked. Every morning,[…]
On the Blessings of Winter…
I have always been a winter hater. I do not ski or engage in any type of winter focused activity. I lived in the far northeast part of the United States one year and wasted no time when all the snow melted in April to pack my things and return South. Nor am I one to get too excited about[…]
On Farewell to 2024 and the Usta Coulds…
As I say goodbye to 2024, I want to express my gratitude, and apologize for my impatience and grumbling. I entered 2024 disgruntled because 2023 didn’t turn out the way I wanted to. My heart surgeon did not finish the job I hired him to do (replace two valves) in September and I was… shall we say… slightly, uhm… PISSED[…]