Category: Uncategorized

Common advice about packing is that we tend to take too much stuff. In Mary Roach’s book, Packing For Mars, she explores the ways different countries prepare their astronauts. She focuses on the mental preparation. Riding a rocket ship for days or weeks makes sitting in the “way back” of the family station wagon seem…

We know where prehistoric men existed because they left footprints. The 1970’s and 1980’s saw growth in the American popularity of wilderness sports – like hiking and camping. With it came slogans about being good stewards of the land – like “leave no trace.” As I examine my possessions with the idea of having only…

Sometimes we just know. I’m sure I’ve seen that in the movies. A scene when someone makes a declaration that isn’t supported by facts or evidence. I’ve experienced it myself. I hope most of the time I was right. But I don’t worry about being wrong. I think it’s important to be able to be…

I heard someone once say: “The past is the part of your life that anyone you meet can never be in.” This doesn’t really mesh well when you’ve known someone for 50 years. There are some really memorable moments where you exist in my past. But today we have something we never had before. A…

Its funny how airplanes end up in music. In the song “The Letter” an airplane is required because there’s no time for a fast train. How would such a lyric be composed earlier – before Orville and Wilbur? Being in a hurry emphasizes urgency. And few things can be as urgent as romance. The sweet…

Ferris Bueller says: “Life moves pretty fast. You don’t look around every once and a while, you could miss it.” Even if Ferris is right (which he is) not everyone knows how. Few people know how to do something as simple as taking the day off. There is imagery in literature of people at work…

When I was first started flying lessons, I had to adjust to looking at things from the air. It didn’t help that the air in the southern summers was hazy and visibility was poor. In California you can often see the mountains halfway across the state. Only need 3 miles visibility meets the legal minimums.…

I’ve been debating on the title for this post. It’s between “No Reason” and “Certainty.” I think that’s because having reasons and certainty are so tightly linked. I have no reason for why I decided. Raising the white flag to reason can take more bravery than fighting on – searching for an explanation. In high…

As a fairly undisciplined person, I don’t have too many routines that I religiously follow every day. Morning may be an exception. Besides the ordinary mechanics of getting up each day – a trip to the bathroom, stepping on the scale, checking the sleep stats from my Fitbit, and feeding the cats – my mornings…

Everyone likes to be right. In a world where things are often a matter of degree, the mental and emotional safety of being right can be precious. We defend our notions and positions when they are attacked or challenged. But some thoughts seem to need no defense. Like ancient standing stones, some things just exist…