Category: Opinion

A Conversation Close to the Heart: That’s Me in a Podcast

A Conversation Close to the Heart: That’s Me in a Podcast

A warm, human conversation on the Stan Garfield Fab Five podcast about stories, memory, food, travel, grief, joy—and even a small baseball mistake—reminding me of the power of being heard and truly seen.

12th Night, King Cakes and a Learning Experience

12th Night, King Cakes and a Learning Experience

Twelfth night brings king cakes and Mardi Gras season, with a bonus duo of compelling and fun books.

Today’s Cold Miasma (a Poem)

Today’s Cold Miasma (a Poem)

A poem reflecting the bad news of today. Now is the winter of our discontent.

It’s My Birthday and I’m Hungry

It’s My Birthday and I’m Hungry

A birthday wish of hunger and hopefulness from Kim of Glover Gardens upon reaching 60 years + 1.

Mother’s Day Essay: Sacrifices for Kids? No. They are Golden-Threaded Gifts

Mother’s Day Essay: Sacrifices for Kids? No. They are Golden-Threaded Gifts

I sacrificed nothing in becoming a parent, a bonus parent, an extra parent. I gained an immeasurable golden-threaded set of blessings that continue to bring riches, the priceless kind.

Poem: Devils Winds Laugh While We Argue about Why

Poem: Devils Winds Laugh While We Argue about Why

A poem expressing sadness about what the drought and excessive heat are doing to our world, in both macro and micro ways.

Pumpkin Spice Blend Bird Seed? Are You Kidding Me???

Pumpkin Spice Blend Bird Seed? Are You Kidding Me???

Pumpkin spice is a thing, a social movement, a gotta-have-mine-it’s-October pull of nature almost stronger than a biological clock, but geeeeez, trying to project that onto poor birds seems like a Big Bad Bird Wrong

Speed and Quality Don’t Always Go Together

Speed and Quality Don’t Always Go Together

A blogging mistake prompts a mea culpa and lessons learned confession.

For Black History Month: “Lost & Found: America’s Black Classical Music”

For Black History Month: “Lost & Found: America’s Black Classical Music”

Composer William Dawson’s “Negro Folk Symphony” fell into oblivion after a triumphant and successful debut in 1934. Now it’s back, and it’s worth a listen – to the symphony and the back-story.

Black History Month: Why It’s Important (in my humble opinion)

Black History Month: Why It’s Important (in my humble opinion)

Woody Guthrie sang, “This land is your land, this land is my land”. It was “made for you and me”, right? Well, it can only be OUR land, made for ALL of the you and me’s out there, if we tell and honor the stories of all, if we “lift every voice and sing,” not just some of the voices.

Dr. King and His Dream are More Relevant Than Ever

Dr. King and His Dream are More Relevant Than Ever

Martin Luther King Day is special, a time when we reflect on our beliefs about equality, equity, inclusion, diversity, fairness, etc., and, as one of my colleagues said today, recommit to acting on them.

Simple Things: The Pleasure of Late-Season Cards

Simple Things: The Pleasure of Late-Season Cards

Simple things, simple pleasures, treasures of the season – that’s what it’s all about.

Just Connect, Just Love, Just Accept, Just Listen

Just Connect, Just Love, Just Accept, Just Listen

Sometimes, people die because they feel “less than”; they die because they think they’re alone. They think they’re the only ones crying in the night, because they’re crying alone and don’t feel safe enough to talk about it. We. Have. To Talk. About. It.

Rambling Musings After a Visit to the Women’s Health Center

Rambling Musings After a Visit to the Women’s Health Center

Famous females, flagrant fees and fleeting images… just a few reflections from a necessary health check.

The Texas Deep Freeze and Power Grid Fiasco: We Have to Do Better

The Texas Deep Freeze and Power Grid Fiasco: We Have to Do Better

There will be repercussions: lawsuits and hearings, accusations and resignations, and perhaps, at long last, legislation and regulations.

Great Article: Black History Month is for You, for Me, for Everyone

Great Article: Black History Month is for You, for Me, for Everyone

Black History Month is one of many opportunities for individuals and organizations to acknowledge the rich historical legacy of Black people.

Ally Ally Oxen Free (Time to Begin Again)

Ally Ally Oxen Free (Time to Begin Again)

Without guile, sarcasm, irony, mockery, I-Told-You-So-ism, satire or derision, the message I wish to share today, inauguration day, is this Kingston Trio song.

An Open Letter from a Friend: “Folks, ADD Stinks!”

An Open Letter from a Friend: “Folks, ADD Stinks!”

If you have an ADD employee or family member I hope these insights will help you understand them.

Martin Luther King Day Haiku: Not Just a Dream

Martin Luther King Day Haiku: Not Just a Dream

it’s not enough to “not be racist,” I must be anti-racist and actively involved in highlighting injustice and creating a better world, along the lines of “If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem”.

Never Doubt That One Person Can Absolutely, Positively Make a Difference

Never Doubt That One Person Can Absolutely, Positively Make a Difference

Each of us has the opportunity to positively impact others by the way we live and act on our values.