I will not allow anyone to walk in my mind with dirty feet. — Mahatma Gandhi Many of us spend a lot of time worrying about what other people think. I don't have immunity, or a remedy. I am, by nature, a people-pleaser. While this isn't inherently bad, it has been the cause of a great deal of stress over the years,...

When I am in Kansas (my home state) I enjoy going for a drive in the country. I typically depart with a general direction in mind (say Quivera National Wildlife Refuge) but without a specific route for getting there. I'll choose any of a plethora of nearly deserted back roads that will guide me toward my...

I'm not one to rush time, or wish away the days. They pass with sufficient speed on their own. I get frustrated when I see Halloween decorations in August, or pumpkin spice anything before we are solidly into sweater weather. It seems like the marketing of Christmas continues a steady creep toward mid-year. However,...

I'm writing this from the airport in Phoenix. Waiting for a flight to Kansas. Something I've had planned for several months. I'm headed back to my hometown to help for a few days on my family's Christmas tree farm. Yesterday, my original flight (scheduled for Monday) was cancelled. Based on the news coming out of...

Today I was thinking about things, or experiences, I believe are under appreciated. Here are just a few on my list: fresh popcorn a book you can't put down the bubbling sound of a stream "sweatshirt" weather the smell of the forest after a rain shower a good playlist on a long road trip local bookstores campfires...

Today I tried to complete a "simple" lawn irrigation repair for my brother. I'm not a very "handy" person, but I was confident this was within the scope of my abilities. I was wrong. After three trips to the hardware store, and several hours, I completed the job. The final product looked a bit like what you would...

When my nephew was three years old, he went to a local park with his dad. They returned sooner than expected. Ezra was asked how the trip to the park went, and he provided a one word response -- with some exasperation. "People!?" Indeed. People!? It is hard to pay attention and avoid perseverating on what is wrong...

I was too ambitious with my initial weekly sharing (weekly 15). I’ve decided to make it a bit more achievable — without a specific number. The idea that some lives matter less is the root of all that is wrong with the world. - Dr. Paul Farmer I have decided that my Bear blog will be my online hub. As mentioned on my...

I've done a lot of quitting in my lifetime. Most incidents of throwing in the towel were rather insignificant. A fishing trip that wasn't going well. A round of golf (I'm a terrible golfer). A new year's resolution. A book that didn't interest me. But, when is it okay to quit? How should we make that decision? I can...

Sometimes I feel a little off. Discombobulated. Struggling to find my rhythm. There is no shortage of advice on what to do in these situations, but here is a simple plan that has consistently worked for me. Take out a pen and paper (I like an index card). Write down the things I need to accomplish. No projects --...

This morning I was texting with my uncle. In response to a query about how he was doing, he responded, “Hanging in there. Trying to obey the yellow light” Obey the yellow light. Indeed! Slow. Down. In a world that is addicted to worry and hurry, we should remind ourselves to slow down when our brains and bodies...

A raven I photographed (on Halloween) while walking the dog. It has nothing to do with my post, except that I now have time to take the picture and post it. As previously mentioned, I retired at the end of the last school year after 25+ years in education -- the last fourteen as a junior high school principal. It...