When time slows down the sky appears more colorful, the clouds more fascinating, the trees more intricate. When time slows down the chasms of our differences seem to shrink, making room in our hearts for gratitude and joy. When time slows down one can see the clear evidence of the invisible wind, on the water,…
Grace Defined
Spoken by a 6- or 7-year-old a while back, to the question: Do you know what the word Grace means? “Yes. Grace is when you’re happy for someone else who gets to do what you’d rather be doing.” Unexpected, profound wisdom from the mouth of a child. Amazing. This was heard at a time when…
Why Retire Early?
After 30 years working for a great company, in a job and with people I really enjoy, I’m about to make the transition to being a retiree. What the heck? (Not “WHAT the heck?” as in no big deal, but “What the HECK?” as in, “Are we really ready for this?!” There are hundreds, if…
Let’s Go Blogging!
Hello! My name is John C. and I just started this blog as a way to share thoughts, ideas and (dare I say) tips on a wide range of topics: writing, speaking, positive thinking, family matters and other random musings. Whether you’re an aspiring writer, a relative, a friend, or a person trying to climb…
The Most Common Cause of Back Pain in Teens
Spondylolisthesis – “Slippage of the Spine” Our son, James, has suffered from lower back pain throughout most of his 20s. It was misdiagnosed as just an injured disc, until a specialist looked more closely at the x-rays and saw that his next-to-lowest vertebrae was fractured and had slid forward, causing severe pain with nearly any…
When a Spinal Cord Injury changes your life
A family member’s perspective… (I plan to write about this subject from time to time; here is the background)… My son-in-law Kirk became paralyzed from the neck (shoulders) down at the age of 29, after a diving accident in Lake Minnetonka on a sunny August afternoon. It was devastating, to say the least. He and…
“Oink, moo, cluck” yum
Brisket is da bomb at OMC Smokehouse, Duluth. You might not expect to find some of the world’s best BBQ in Duluth, MN — but you might be surprised. My wife and I recently made the trip, inspired by a tip from our friend and neighborhood carpenter, who – it turns out – is a…
The Art of Polite Conversation
Do you know anyone who tries to dominate every conversation? Let’s be direct. People who talk too much are either rude or boring. Or both. Most of us are not only affected, but afflicted. It feels better to talk than to listen. Despite the old proverb*, “We have two ears and one mouth so we…