I am a better person without my phone. In fact, I would go so far as saying there is a negative correlation between the amount of time I spend on my phone and the likelihood you would want to be around me. Last Saturday it was hot outside. I was bored and in a state of malaise. So, I picked up my phone. I used my...

Curious cattle sizing me up - near Clayton, New Mexico As a kid I was terrified of cows. Or, so I'm told. I don't recall this (I was too young). But, at least once a year the story is retold by my parents, or my aunt, or my uncle. Typically at a large family gathering when the topic of embarrassing moments arises....

Tonight, I made pizza for dinner. It was almost homemade. Except the dough. And the sauce. Both were purchased at Trader Joe's. So, in actuality, I "assembled" a pizza for dinner. But, it didn't come from a box. Why should you care? Well, I can't cook. But, lately, I've been making an effort to fix dinner. In spite...

espresso tonic at peixoto coffee roasters - chandler, az This morning I am taking a few minutes, over an espresso tonic, to review my week. Song of the Day: Send in the Fishermen - Caamp Published this week: lunch money faith (anne lamott): getting through the day when the world feels heavy a few thoughts on taking...

I appreciate Anne Lamott. As an author she is genuine. Her candor — her willingness to be true to who she is (embracing successes and failures) and what she believes. The last few days, I have been revisiting a phrase she has used in her writing and interviews: Lunch money faith: a “just enough” kind of faith to get...

I appreciate Anne Lamott. As an author she is genuine. Her candor — her willingness to be true to who she is (embracing successes and failures) and what she believes. The last few days, I have been revisiting a phrase she has used in her writing and interviews: Lunch money faith: a “just enough” kind of faith to get...

A semantic reflection... I have a number of priorities. Is that even possible? Was the word "priority" intended to have a plural form? If you have more than one priority, are those items still a priority? priority: something given or meriting attention before competing alternatives (Merriman-Webster) As I attempt to...

See Spring Creek, Arizona Summers in the Phoenix area are brutal. It is the Sonoran Desert, so of course the daytime temperatures are extremely high. Think 110-115 degrees. But it is the "low" temps that erode resolve. It isn't unusual for the coolest part of the morning to register in the upper 80's, or low 90's....

Superstition Wilderness, Arizona (from my photos) I spend a lot of time outdoors. Camping. Fishing. Hiking. Soaking in the goodness of nature. I get irritated when I see people leaving trash (or their imprint) where it doesn't belong. I am concerned about our environment. I am concerned about our access to clean...

Today I mowed the soccer field at the "community center" where I volunteer. With a push mower. 🥵 As a kid, I spent a lot of time mowing on our family Christmas tree farm. I enjoy it (although a riding mower is better than a push mower). You can see your progress. And, it requires limited focus so there is plenty of...

Today I mowed the soccer field at the "community center" where I volunteer. With a push mower. 🥵 As a kid, I spent a lot of time mowing on our family Christmas tree farm. I enjoy it (although a riding mower is better than a push mower). You can see your progress. And, it requires limited focus so there is plenty of...

Today I spent a little time tutoring high school students in the neighborhood of my former school (where I was a principal for fourteen years). I can’t get over how sensitive and impressionable kids this age can be. The young man I was working with was convinced that one of his teachers hates him. I asked what made...