Here comes summer and all things summery. If that doesn’t put a big toothy grin on your face you need to buy your first of many watermelons to get into your summer groove. Ah watermelons. Just what in my world could connect watermelons and friends? Watermelons cross years of memories. Bringing about the thoughts of old friends that after years can become new old … [Read more...]
Soldiers who died for us
America is pulled in so many culturally woke directions these days, it may seem a little bit old fashioned to take a moment to remember the soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice that gave us our freedoms. Let me explain why it is not. I am writing this on Memorial Day (May 29). When you read this column, it will be June 1, the first day of Pride month. There’s nothing … [Read more...]
Tina Turner’s Basketburger
Life was pretty good in the America of March 24, 1962. JFK and Jackie were in the White House. Soviet missiles in Cuba had not been discovered. Unions were strong, the post-war middle class prospered, inflation was zilch and the country’s inherent racism was breaking down. Music played a major role. Elvis Presley, who grew up listening to soul radio in Mississippi, sang … [Read more...]
The Learning Curve of Trapping
I find it amazing that on the path of life there are still things for me to learn. Have you ever seen that funny comic or saying where one person is trying to get something over on another person and the other person looks at the first one and slyly with a sideway glance says, “Yes, but I know stuff.” Well over my life and all that I have been involved in, “I know stuff.” But! … [Read more...]
Substance use disorders significantly impact veterans
This week I’m giving this column space over to Veronica Raussin of Addicted.org. With Memorial Day just a couple of weeks away, she has an important message for veterans suffering from substance use. On Memorial Day, millions of American families will take time to honor the memory of those men and women who lost their lives in service of the U.S. military. Countless … [Read more...]
Cutting your woke to spite your face
“Listen and understand. That Terminator is out there. It can’t be bargained with, it can’t be reasoned with, it doesn’t feel pity or remorse or fear. And it absolutely will not stop — ever — until you are dead!” — Actor Michael Biehn in the classic sci-fi drama “The Terminator” (Released appropriately in 1984) Woe unto the formerly United States of America. We continue to … [Read more...]
What Exactly is “In-Kind-ness?”
Long ago there was no money. Well that kind of sounds like today doesn’t it? Seems there are very few of us mere mortals who always have enough money jingle jangling in our pockets. But in reality there was no money like we know money. There was always a way to pay for goods and services without the green and silver things we know as money today. Believe it or not some places, … [Read more...]
When mandating ‘diversity’ hurts the art
The latest Hollywood diversity conceit, as Bugs Bunny might say, “is a doozy, Doc.” Beginning this year, to be considered for “Best Picture” at the Academy Awards, a motion picture must meet diversity requirements in on “screen representation, creative leadership, industry access and audience advancement.” The new diversity rules are many and specific. They are also … [Read more...]