Category Archives: Thoughts For the Day

Spending just a few hours last night with a younger couple was exhilarating. Youth can share its energy just by being present.  The couple consisted of the son and daughter-in-law of a friend.  It helps that they are energetic, intelligent, and … Continue reading →

If I had all the answers, I would know how to respond to all my questions. Last night, we met many neighbors at an event organized in our “honor” to welcome us to the neighborhood.  Wine, hors d’oeuvre, and conversation. Appreciative … Continue reading →

Doing your best is the best you can do.

It is frightening that police departments across the country are proudly displaying, and using, equipment once reserved for all-out-war.  Why the hell do police departments need grenade launchers and amphibious assault vehicles?  I saw a piece Bill Maher did on this topic … Continue reading →

When we enjoy good fortune, and most of us do most of the time, it behooves us to appreciate and enjoy it. Good fortune is not guaranteed.

Smile.  It won’t crack your face.

A real estate agent, who had just placed a for-sale sign in front of the house across the street from ours, said to me: “They had it for sale before, but it didn’t sell, so they took it off the … Continue reading →

The best time to think is early in the morning, that time of day when there’s no pressure to hurry along to the next meaningless attention-grabber.  That dawdling time allows one’s mind to wander into the crevices where thought rarely goes. Ideas … Continue reading →

I am not one to mince words.  Onions, on the other hand…

The monstrous obstruction in front of you was constructed of fear. Muster your courage.  Wade into it with determination.  It will melt into a pool of possibilities.

Nature can serve terrifying reminders that humans are, individually and collectively, pitifully weak and impotent creatures.  The terrifying reminders which sparked my thoughts on the matter took the form of a fierce windstorm and coincidental thunderstorm, replete with an explosive … Continue reading →

The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath. It is twice blessed: It blesseth him that gives and him that takes. Shakespeare can teach us a thing or two, … Continue reading →

Give yourself enough rope, you’ll regret every tree you climbed.  Forgive yourself every tree and every noose you wanted to tie but didn’t.  If you won’t, nobody will. And maybe nobody should.

There are moments in which one clearly understands the elasticity of time. Those are much like the rare occasions during which the color of gratitude becomes almost as vivid as the taste of bravery and the aroma of indecision. A willingness to accept that the brain … Continue reading →

I have anecdotal evidence of the importance of State automobile safety inspections.  In Texas, an annual safety inspection is required for all registered cars at a cost to the owner of, I think, $14.50. There is no such requirement in Arkansas.  Since moving … Continue reading →

There’s a vast difference between knowledge and wisdom. If I were to count every leaf on every tree, my knowledge of the total number of leaves would be of absolutely no value. Wisdom is to know when to stop counting, and why.

Anger is a manifestation of—what? I wish I knew. I wish I knew what created anger where nothing existed before. I wish I knew how anger grew from a seed that everyone else shares, yet their seeds do not produce … Continue reading →

Today feels like a Costco kind of day—a quick trip to Memphis to buy staples is in the offing. Staples like canned sardines, peanuts, and a large bag of frozen sea scallops. Who can live a full life without such … Continue reading →

Get up early. Drink coffee or tea. Sit for ten minutes and marvel at the clouds, or at the wondrously clear sky, or even the torrential rain falling outside the window. The day will be better for those moments.

I visited a web site this morning, wisegeek.com, and was surprised at a statement asserting that 70% of red meat eaten worldwide is goat meat.  I was stunned by it; I decided to explore a bit.  I did some checking.  According to … Continue reading →

On rare occasion, there is nothing to say at just the right time.

Mistakes cannot be unmade, so the best course of action after making them is to take away enough from them to ensure you won’t make the same ones again.  Fortunately, there are enough variations on mistakes that you need not be … Continue reading →

When things begin to go your way, get on board and ride for as long as you can.  You may find difficulties ahead— you always will— but don’t turn your back on positive circumstances. Let it play out. Don’t do … Continue reading →

Shedding clutter from one’s life is not just about living minimally with respect to material possessions. It’s equally about abandoning the clutter of bad ideas and about leaving behind the attitude that “new” and “more” is better.