Archive for the ‘General’ Category

So I did it.

Wednesday, February 1st, 2023

I decided, so I'm told, that it wasn't enough to know this experience through the thoughts and memories of others. I decided I needed to know what this was from within it. And, now, I know. I see the flaws in the original plan. This was not supposed to be ...

Mad Honey – A novel by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan, reviewed

Tuesday, November 8th, 2022

Absolutely magnificent book in every way. Even the author's notes. It deals with a hot button topic, one that has existed as long as the species has but one for which we did not even have words until a few decades ago, let alone help. The only thing I didn't ...

A book review: A Good Kind Of Trouble by Lisa Moore Ramee

Sunday, October 24th, 2021

I started this book, then put it down, I was SO angry as I read. I didn't know why. I'd forgotten just how cruel children can be to each other, how unreasonable school administrators were even as I grew up a long time ago. I'm a 72 year old white ...

Progressive Politics in 2021

Friday, January 22nd, 2021

Now that Joe Biden is officially our new President it's time to move forward with progressive ideas and legislation. Immediately following the election last fall, moderate Democrats were angry with the young progressives, who they blamed for losing seats, it was quickly pointed out that ALL of the young progressives ...

World of Card Games

Friday, March 6th, 2020

This is just a wonderful site for those interested in playing cards against others, human or very smart robots, online. It is free, supported by ads, and an extremely entertaining way to while away the hours and keep your mind sharp. This is a bit of a departure for this ...

Unbelievable – But not

Monday, September 16th, 2019

I don't do reviews. But yesterday I watched a show on Netflix that I absolutely can't let go of. I started trying to watch it Friday evening and couldn't get through the first hour. I avoided it on Saturday, I was so uncomfortable with what I was seeing. But ...

Observing

Monday, March 25th, 2019

So. I'm here by surprise. Jen tells me that this is the first time I've ever completely surprised her. This was supposed to be her visit, I've never been here before, always it has been she, in both male and female forms, who has come. That was the plan this ...

Born This Way

Friday, March 22nd, 2019

So, an odd post maybe. I've just been thinking lately about life, my life, I've been so inactive here, and having recently retired thought that would not be the case. Yet it is. So I've been thinking about why. If anyone got here from the main site, you'll know I have ...

Racism in the United States

Thursday, January 24th, 2019

The campaign and subsequent election of Barack Obama as President of the United States brought out into the open the ugly underbelly of racism that has existed in the United States since the beginning. It's always been here, it just sort of went underground with the passage of the Civil ...

About Personality Disorders

Sunday, September 23rd, 2018

America has had two plus years experience with Donald J. Trump, the politician. Prior to the campaign season in 2016, Trump was just an annoying "celebrity", failed businessman - though certainly not in his opinion, I'd argue the bankruptcies and statements made about him in various articles by people who ...

I’ve Fallen for an Older Woman

Saturday, January 7th, 2017

And that's not the worst of it, she's four months younger than my mother, and she's been dead for what will be 24 years on the 20th of this month. Audrey Hepburn is her name. Some might remember her. I don't know how I missed her growing up or since, ...

2 Samuel 18:33

Thursday, October 15th, 2015

I've not written anything in a very long time.  I keep telling myself I will and I keep not doing it.  Perhaps one day I will again.  Maybe when I retire.  Or before.  Or not.  If you have read anything in my earlier posts or on my main site, you ...

A Cure for Intolerance

Sunday, March 29th, 2015

From my friend, Steve Goodier's Newsletter You'll see why this is such an important post shortly - and it also fits my web site name. We believe the same thing, Steve and I, even if not in the same way.  :^) gene   We live in an age of intolerance and extremism. Intolerance ...

Potato’s spoil, People don’t spoil

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2015

From Steve Goodier's marvelous newsletter: I knew a woman who worked with children all her life. She was especially good with children we would call “at risk” -- children who acted out, children from rough backgrounds, children who built impenetrable walls to keep others out. In time, she always found a ...

Be the Light.

Tuesday, November 25th, 2014

This is another from Steve Goodier, particularly appropriate for this week, for all weeks really. More Light and Less Noise A great story from one of America's greatest story-tellers, Abraham Lincoln, was apparently related by the president during those anxious days of the American Civil War. A delegation of well-meaning patriots tried ...

It has been a while.

Thursday, September 25th, 2014

And may be a while longer. It isn't that I've nothing to say, more that I have been stilled within for some time and still am. But this song has been following me around for a while now and each time I watch it again, the same feelings overwhelm me. ...

An odd evening

Sunday, October 13th, 2013

I know it is not the current political climate that has me so emotionally riled up these days, something deeper is going on and I don't know what. I just feel like talking about last night. I was in no mood for television so decided I would watch an old ...

Charm School

Sunday, September 1st, 2013

It has been a while. Not that things have been quiet, but I have, here anyway. Perhaps that will change. There is much going on in the world today to talk about, almost none of which does not have a spiritual component - the reason I created this site was ...

Significant Living

Sunday, June 2nd, 2013

This is from Steve Goodier. Wonderful article. I heard someone say, "Forget love...I'd rather fall in chocolate." I guess I've never liked chocolate that much. It was author Linda Grayson who said, "There is nothing better than a friend, unless it is a friend with chocolate." Sorry. You can leave the ...

WHAT ABOUT TRUST?

Friday, January 25th, 2013

From the always marvelous Steve Goodier, another gem. What is life without trust? Fear. I prefer to live in love with life, not afraid of it. :^) gene A veterinarian prescribed three huge pills to be given to a sick mule. "How do I get him to take the pills?" the ...

Earth Cry

Friday, October 26th, 2012

I'm not going to lecture. Overmuch. But we, of a certain age, the over 30 crowd and there are many of us, have some things to answer for. And I have no answers. I do have the questions, they are contained in the song appended to this post. I've written ...

A Better Prayer

Friday, October 12th, 2012

This is from Steve Goodier's newsletter, there are several of his wonderful pieces here, this is among the best. And the wisest. "One man, too inebriated to drive, was walking home along railroad tracks when his foot suddenly became stuck. He pulled and tugged, but could not free it from the ...

At the Complaint Counter

Monday, August 20th, 2012

An interesting little story from Steve Goodier: I understand that an Athens hotel posted a sign that read: "Visitors are expected to complain at the office between the hours of 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. daily." So, visitors and actually expected to complain? Of course, complaints in themselves are not bad things. ...

The coming global warming holocaust

Thursday, June 14th, 2012

"Scientists are still trying to fully understand the ramification of a disappearing Arctic, but one of the things they do know is that it’s not good news for Earth." "...“What happens in the Arctic doesn’t stay in the Arctic. It has huge implications for the global system. And one of the ...

You’re Stuck With Me

Tuesday, June 12th, 2012

Silence forever then two in one day, will wonders never cease? Again from Steve Goodier's Life Support: Even though her toddler was throwing a furious tantrum, (or, as my southern American friends might say, pitching a fit) from the seat of a grocery cart, one mother was unfazed. "You may as well ...

Growing Good Corn

Tuesday, June 12th, 2012

From Steve Goodier's Life Support Have you noticed how all of life is connected? You probably know about the relationship between honey ants (farm ants) and aphids. The ants can't seem to get enough of the tasty honey dew left behind by aphids, those tiny sap-sucking insects probably living in your ...

Peace on Earth

Thursday, March 8th, 2012

Well, now, that isn't exactly a topic for a brief conversation is it? Unless it is. :^) I was thinking about the divisions between us, not just country to country, but closer, within countries even. The overwhelming victory by Vladimir Putin in Russia's recent presidential election, one in which he speculated ...

The irony of Rick Santorum’s views on our Constitution

Thursday, March 1st, 2012

This editorial cartoon is from the Minneapolis StarTribune on 2/29/12. I just thought it too funny and ironic not to share. I'm so surprised Mr. Santorum is disgusted by the Constitution of the United States of America.  I suppose we can expect a constitutional amendment revoking the separation of church and ...

Now that Election Season is once again upon us

Tuesday, February 28th, 2012

Yes, I capitalized Election Season for a reason and not a good one, not to emphasize its beauty, say, or its eloquent presentation of ideas designed to foster debate and improve the human condition, the planetary condition along with the condition of all our planetary co-inhabitants. No, I capitalized it ...

Gifted for something, or do you just have vision?

Monday, September 19th, 2011

Steve Goodier tidbits on Life and Love: GIFTED FOR SOMETHING? I heard of a woman who operated a daycare for children from her home. As she transported children in her car one day, a fire truck zoomed by. The kids were thrilled to see a Dalmatian on the front seat, just ...

A reflection on parenthood

Monday, September 12th, 2011

Last week was my first birthday without either of my sons. One has been gone 14 1/2 years, frozen in time at 21; the other not quite a year. I took the week off, knew it would be difficult and it was. But it was more than that too. It ...

My taste in sports with a bit of opinion on them

Friday, August 26th, 2011

I've recently updated my Facebook profile with some of my favorite things. They are all women's things. No, not clothing. Sports. I have been an athlete all my life until two knee surgeries a few years back, but I have come to realize over the last ten years that I ...

The Keys – something only I could do

Wednesday, July 6th, 2011

Well besides getting tricked into thinking today was going to be nice and turning off my air conditioning this morning, anyone could do that, (though as it turns out, I opened windows, but I didn't turn off the air, sigh) it takes a special kind of nincompoop to manage what ...

Jon Stewart’s Conversation with Jesus

Friday, June 24th, 2011

Jon I woke up last night to the sound of laughing and realized I'd fallen asleep with the TV on. It was 3 AM and I knew it was Jon Stewart but I had to fumble around for my glasses to see who his guest was. Unbelievable! It was Jesus, in ...

So, parents and the loss of their children

Friday, November 12th, 2010

I've had an experience now, twice, that no parent should ever have in their lifetime even once and it doesn't get easier with repetition. In my opinion. I've written much here about my youngest son, Brandon, who suicided at 21, caught in the throes of meth. Both ...

Is your ladder leaning against the right building?

Friday, August 6th, 2010

Below is a wonderful story from one of the best people on this planet, Steve Goodier. Now you shouldn't find that surprising since I so often use his articles here, sometimes alone, sometimes with commentary. This time with lots of commentary. Not all related to Steve's article. ...

A change is coming

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

Which is a very good thing, in my opinion, for what is life with nothing new to look forward to? Every civilization in history has fallen when it became so content with itself that it became stagnant. That ennui will kill anything. Change is the only constant, ...

A VERY HUMAN THING TO DO

Tuesday, June 1st, 2010

First, from Steve Goodier: A VERY HUMAN THING TO DO Someone made the statement: "To err is dysfunctional, to forgive co-dependent." Sometimes I think I operate that way - afraid to err and slow to forgive. Of course, we've all heard Alexander Pope's famous assertion that to err is human, to forgive, divine. ...

In the Living Years

Friday, April 30th, 2010

My dad's been on my mind lately.  It'll be 26 years this summer since he passed, I'm just two years younger now than he was that year.  This afternoon this song began running through my mind, no idea why, though I have every idea why.  It ...

Possession and the Time Traveler’s Wife

Sunday, April 4th, 2010

"What is it? My Dear?" "Ah, how can we bear it?" "Bear what?" "This. For so short a time. How can we sleep this time away?" "We can be quiet together, and pretend - since it is only the beginning - that we have all the time in the world." "And every ...

I didn’t know he was for me

Friday, March 26th, 2010

I put this on the Rainbow Bridge website a bit ago. I'd been sent, again, a story about an old man who was walking along a road with a dog when he suddenly realized he was dead and so had been, for many years, the dog at his side. ...

A Character Defect – my little secret

Friday, February 19th, 2010

Or at least that is what my son calls it. So, I confess, I like chick flicks. Not sure why. I don't like, don't read, romance novels and never have, no interest at all, and I don't like the formula "love story" either. You know the ...

When Someone Grieves

Friday, January 1st, 2010

This is from Steve Goodier's newsletter, with his permission. I have a word or two of my own following. What do you say to someone who is grieving? ("Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you like the play?" probably tops the list of the kinds of conversation starters that ...

A loss

Sunday, December 27th, 2009

I've been informed that Sandra Seich, who authored the book, and test, that I talked about in the Top Strengths section on my main site, passed away on Christmas Eve, 2009. I've been blessed by her friendship and love as the world has by her incredible talent, will and ...

Sacred Tears

Thursday, December 17th, 2009

I want to talk about tears tonight, first, yes, long time no post, but still, I intend to be here more often, it is only that life keeps getting in the way, some of that life part involves tears. I know that men and women experience tears in very different ways, ...

The Greatest Gift of All

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

This is, again, from Steve Goodier, the Methodist minister with the newsletter I have been receiving by far the longest of the many things I get daily, these are no longer daily, but are always treasured. This one is most appropriate for my blog too. You'll see why. ...

The Blue Bird of Happiness

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009

This is all Steve Goodier, a wonderful story, and a little spin at the end, that would be me. :^) BLUEBIRD OF HAPPINESS A sign in a pet store read, "If anybody has seen the Bluebird of Happiness, would you please notify this pet store?" Happiness seems to be in short supply ...

The Last Mimzy

Friday, September 11th, 2009

This isn't new, but rather a repeat, that will for reasons of your own become obvious as to why. Not the best thing I've written, but it makes me feel so much better about life. And today I need that. :^) gene I don't rent many movies, most ...

Man’s best friend, My bff, My Cisco

Sunday, August 9th, 2009



An update and a few words

Tuesday, July 14th, 2009

For those of you following my son's story on CaringBridge, you'll know that is where I've done most of my writing the past, nearly three months now. His accident and his slow recovery, now beginning a long and painful rehabilitation process, has consumed my time and attention pretty much ...

Dark night turned into a bright new day

Sunday, May 24th, 2009

I've not been here for a bit and while doing some housecleaning thought to check back in here and noticed my last post. I thought I'd best update things! Evan spent a month in the Critical Care Unit of the ICU but last Thursday was moved to the "normal" ICU. ...

What dark night is this?

Friday, May 1st, 2009

So, my third post of the year. Why? Well, the year has been taken with concern for and dealing with my only remaining child. He has been dark and depressed for most of the past three years as he separated from his wife, I will not go ...

The Beautiful You

Tuesday, March 17th, 2009

From Steve Goodier's wonderful newsletter: We place great emphasis on a narrow idea of physical beauty. In an American history discussion group, the professor was trying to explain how, throughout history, the concept of "beauty" changes with time. "For example," he said, "take the 1921 Miss America. She stood five-foot-one inch tall, weighed ...

A God Too Small

Tuesday, February 17th, 2009

From Steve Goodier: A GOD TOO SMALL I enjoy a story about baseball great Joe Garagiola. He once stepped to the plate when his turn came to bat. Before assuming his stance, however, fervent Roman Catholic Joe took his bat and made the sign of the cross in the dirt in front ...

Breaking the Silence

Wednesday, January 21st, 2009

Which will be welcome news to some. I think. I'm still not sure how much I will be writing, but I will again be writing. While on my hiatus from this blog, I've been fully engaged in life, struggles, issues, day to day things that have, and ...

A goodbye

Tuesday, December 9th, 2008

I am shutting down writing for a while. This blog was never the main point of my buying this website name in the first place. My main site One People - One World was, and is, the reason. I've been told this should be about the ...

Boogie

Friday, December 5th, 2008

My youngest son's nickname among his friends was Boogie, so this made me mist up a little, but it is a wonderful site, be sure to scroll down, there are wonderfully wise words that fit life perfectly and a nice little tune too. :^) Boogie Merry X's to you my son. ...

I think I have it.

Saturday, November 29th, 2008

I finally have it, my purpose, why I came here, gawd, is this a relief! I am here to teach the world how not to be. Not of the scale of a Hitler, but of a more personal nature. Hitler taught us how not to be on a global ...

We need each other

Saturday, November 29th, 2008

Okay, this starts with a Steve Goodier piece. Please read it. Then read me, sorry I took most all of that out, too dark. So it turns out I don't have a lot to say about it. Though I don't understand why, well, I do, but ...

Gifted for something or do you have vision?

Monday, November 24th, 2008

Steve Goodier tidbits on Life and Love, continued: GIFTED FOR SOMETHING? I heard of a woman who operated a daycare for children from her home. As she transported children in her car one day, a fire truck zoomed by. The kids were thrilled to see a Dalmatian on the front seat, ...

A complicated life

Monday, November 24th, 2008

Many people wish their lives were less complicated. They remember a carefree time and dream of returning to a simpler day. They yearn for more freedom. Less worry and more laughter. If only they could trade some of today's complexity for yesterday's simplicity. American essayist and novelist Charles Dudley Warner said, ...

What message does the 11/4 election send to the world?

Wednesday, November 5th, 2008

I'd like to think that what America did last night was not only unique but momentous, one of those moments that changes history forever. I know the world was paying close attention to this election. I hope that the message the world "gets" from it, is the same ...

What role is racism playing in the 2008 election?

Sunday, October 26th, 2008

In keeping with the completely non-political theme of my blog, giggle, I submit today an email I got this week. Just read it. You'll get the point. :^) Democracy is not average people selecting average leaders. It is average people with the wisdom to select the best prepared. Facts are ...

That Ol’ Jet Airliner

Monday, October 20th, 2008

Listening to the radio the past few weeks, I've been hearing a song from my younger days that has had me turned inward a bit. It's an old Steve Miller band song called Jet Airliner. The part that keeps running through my head is the first verse, "Leavin' ...

So, let’s talk a bit about politics.

Wednesday, October 8th, 2008

You're right, this isn't normally a political blog, nor is it my intent to turn it into one now. But it is not possible to be alive in this world now and be unaware of the connections between our spiritual and political lives. I suppose one might also ...

People, Ideas and evolution.

Tuesday, October 7th, 2008

Wow! I bet you are wondering where the H this is going, huh? :^) So do I. As I've mentioned, my own personal life has been in turmoil and change for the past couple months as my son has moved back home. After living alone ...

Moments to remember

Saturday, September 6th, 2008

Steve Goodier has a nice piece in his newsletter this week. He's talking about the way we remember things. We don't remember whole days or weeks or years, we remember moments in time. At least, I do. Fleeting moments, that never really leave, that are evoked ...

A Law of Successful Living

Wednesday, August 27th, 2008

I'm not so sure I'd call this a law, it is more a recipe, I think. I am not a believer in Karma, but I am a believer in doing unto others what we would have done unto us. A LAW OF SUCCESSFUL LIVING I am impressed by an incident that ...

Preparing for Tomorrow

Wednesday, August 27th, 2008

This from Steve is a piece I can identify with and can endorse wholeheartedly. What else is tomorrow for? GETTING READY FOR TOMORROW You heard about the sign posted on a rancher's fence? On the other side of the fence resides the biggest, meanest looking bull you can imagine. The sign ...

If Life Were Not So Bitter

Wednesday, August 27th, 2008

I've barely written at all this month, I know. And it isn't because I've been reading, I've not been doing that either. It is that life itself has intervened. Many things, many of those momentous, have gone on this month, I'll not be airing dirty laundry, or ...