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listen to him…

I love a good movie, especially Westerns. One of my favorites is Tombstone. Not only does it have several great lines to quote, but it is also well written and in my opinion, Kurt Russel and Val Kilmer’s best performances, as Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday. It’s also special to me because it’s one of those movies that Jim, Derek, Craig, and I all love…one that is a special bond between us. When I…

a second time…

I began to wear glasses at an early age. At first, it was to help with reading, but soon, I needed them all the time. In 2019, I had lens replacement and surgery to repair my retinas. My eyes are improved, at least distance wise. But I still need glasses when reading or working on the computer. Why am I telling you this? Because I’ve been thinking a lot about my eyes…and other things…since…

run for the roses…

This week kicked off the Winter Olympics in Beijing. Amidst political discord and an ongoing pandemic, hopeful athletes from 84 countries are gathered, in search for the ultimate prize: a gold medal and the chance to stand atop of the podium while their country’s national anthem is played. Each sport has its own “top of the podium” experience. Although most professional sports have a cash…

blinders on…

Have you ever gone to the circus? My family went several times when I was growing up. I remember that The Ringling Brothers Circus boasted a “Three Ringed Circus” which meant that there were several areas that something was going on simultaneously. It was meant to be exciting, which it was. It was also overwhelming. I remember as a child holding my hands up to my eyes, trying to narrow my field…

in focus…

Ac-cent-tchu-ate the positiveEliminate the negativeLatch on to the affirmativeDon’t mess with Mr. In-Between These song lyrics were written in 1944 by Johnny Mercer for the movie, Here Come the Waves. I’ve never seen the movie and was not familiar with the song until the television show, Homefront, came out in 1991. I can imagine the popularity of it though, considering the original release…

a second glance…

Anyone who knows me knows that I’m an avid bird watcher. Not a person who goes out looking for birds they’ve never seen before, but just an admirer of the ones that come into our yard. And I like them all…from the little Wrens and Chickadees to the Red-Tailed Hawks and the occasional Eagle that flies over. From my favorite spring visitors – Baltimore Orioles and Rose Breasted Grosbeaks – to my…

and justice for all…

justice…administration of the law On a recent trip to Evansville, to watch two of my four favorite grandsons, a man passed me on a double yellow, going so fast that he looked like a blur. How do I know, then, that it was a man? justice… At the bottom of the hill, where he couldn’t see, sat one of Indiana’s finest. As I passed them both a few minutes later, sitting on the shoulder of the road,…

don’t blink…

One of the great joys of our lives are our grandchildren. We have four: David, Jackson, Grayson and Edison. I remember when our sons were younger and people would tell me to enjoy them because they grow up so fast…and they were right. And now, their sons are growing up just as fast. A friend told me recently about our twins, who are thirteen months old, “In the blink of an eye, they will be in…

the little things…

Little things are indeed little, but to be faithful in little things is a great thing. -Mother Teresa Tomorrow is the first day of 2022. A brand new day, in a brand new month, in a brand new year. It is untouched and full of possibilities. It is the first page in an unused journal. Are you ready? Because whether you are or you are not…it’s here. But where did this tradition of New Year’s…

enjoy the journey…

Where’s the fire, what’s the hurry about?You better cool it off before you burn it outYou got so much to do and onlySo many hours in a day – Billy Joel In our family, the joke has always been, why celebrate your birthday on just one day? Why not have a birthday week or even better, a birthday month? This usually happens because someone sends a card or present late, or we have to work the day of…

lest we forget…

Have you ever witnessed something so funny that the irony of it didn’t hit you until hours later? I did…during the Children’s Christmas Eve Mass. Jim and I were greeting at St. Mary’s, while the children’s program went on that proceeded Mass. The last thing that was to happen, was for Mary and Joseph to enter, with Mary carrying the baby Jesus. There was a flurry of activity…costumes donned…last…

the way of peace…

I’m not a praying man but if you’re up there and you can hear me, show me the way.-George Baily, It’s a Wonderful Life And so, here we are…it’s Christmas Eve. The presents are bought…food prepared…families gathered. And these are good things…right? but…maybe there wasn’t enough money for the “in” presents for your children or friends this year. Maybe you had to pick something less expensive,…

prepare the way…

“Attention K-Mart shoppers…you have two minutes left to take advantage of our blue light special!” If you grew up in the Midwest, you might recognize those words…in fact, as you read them, you could probably hear them coming across the crackling sound system at K-Mart stores. If not, let me tell you, when they announced a “blue light special”, a spontaneous sale that lasted mere minutes, it…

empty hands…

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God -Ephesians 2:8 It’s only a few days before Christmas. Each year at this time, my mind starts to wander back to when our boys were young. There was always a flurry of excitement…Christmas programs, last minute shopping…secrets kept…anticipation of Christmas morning. The boys usually took turns passing…