Oklahoma…We Pray For You

Today my heart bleeds for the people of Oklahoma, they have been ravaged by the forces of a major hurricane. The lives of the fortunate have been disrupted, their homes completely destroyed, loved ones missing, injured or lost. Parents and children are no longer the coercive unit that they were before the event since a …

My first meal in South Africa

I first met Marcia when she worked for my son John and wife Shannon as an Au pair for their two sons. Marcia was from South Africa and invited us to South Africa when she got married. Wow, what a wonderful opportunity to visit another part of the world. We would be staying with the …

Order out of Disorder…progress

Technology and progress We find ourselves in the middle of the greatest advances in technology in the history of the universe. However, we find a large number of people completely confused and lost in the Jetstream of progress. It does not have to be this way. Progress comes from making order out of disorder. We …

Nancy Monroe

Inspiration comes to me from people who perform beyond their limits and expectations that other people set for them. That is correct, limits and expectations are things created in the mind of others, because my philosophy is that the individual has no limits, and is capable of things never dreamed of before. The limitations come …

Parle Vous Francis?

It was the celebration of my 35th anniversary that saw me in Paris for the first time. We had taken a tour or two but this does not get you up and personal with the people. I don’t speak French, but knew a few words and phrases that were touted as being sufficient enough to …

The Beer Aficinado

My first experience with beer was not a tasty one My parents did not drink alcohol, so I was not raised up with it. College was my first experience trying it. One of my classmates was going to the store and for a nickel would purchase a can for you. Really a nickel, like in …

Wine making and tasting can be fun!

Wine has been around for thousands of years, but it can be often misunderstood both in the making and consumption aspects. My earliest experiences were with some of the cheapest wines on the planet. Sweet, strong and not very good, often consumed and remembered with less than stellar visions. Wine does not have to be …

Politics, Politics, Politics…

Politics can be a difficult subject to discuss! I hate the labels of political parties because they have the tendency to lock people into a mold and in my opinion make them inflexible. The inflexibility prevents people from true and meaningful discussion. Nothing is gained when the supporting philosophy is that the other side is …

Tom and the 10 pound Hamburger

Food is better when the experience is shared and such was the case when my friend Tom and his wife Barbara invited me to his 70th birthday party. It was being held in a local restaurant that was a favorite of mine. Nothing fancy, but good food, friendly staff, and customers. That in itself is …

Butchart Gardens

World Famous Butchart Gardens I had the opportunity to visit one of the most beautiful places in the world.  It was for me, a place of serenity, peace, and beauty. Located in Brentwood Bay, British Columbia, Canada, and located near Victoria on Vancouver Island is a magnificent collection of the most beautiful plants on the …