Limping to the Finish Line This morning, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin held his longest press conference of his three year tenure in the job. The position of Secretary of Defense is always an important cabinet position, usually the second or third most important among the cabinet. In fact, the official presidential line of succession flows from the Veep to the Speaker of the House, to the President Pro Tempore of the Senate (strangely enough,…
Another Trip Among New Year’s resolutions I will bet that most people our age are telling themselves that they will finally get down to seeing the world and traveling more. Inertia certainly increased with age (is that part of Newtonian physics?) and our bodies at rest tend to want to stay at rest. But we have more of different physics equation with which to contend in this household. A few years ago after a very…
Bouncing Buddy I was never a pet person, but as life has progressed I have changed…somewhat. I do give my $19/mo to the ASPCA, but I am forever reminding Kim that the same gift of $19/mo to Save The Children seems more important. We had a dog when I was a kid, but it was really my sister’s dog and was cared for mostly by my farm-strong mother. I will not mention his name in…
Metabolism Schism I am once again confused by my own body. I have been on as much of a regular exercise program for six months now as I can ever remember. This started with a trainer and swimming, it progressed recently to adding a rowing machine at home for workouts when I am not otherwise at the gym or in the pool, and the recent spring weather has me out in the yard doing 2-3…
A Tarzan Moment Today is the second of what looks to be a three-day rainy spell here on the hilltop. Everything in the garden is benefiting, but I can’t really say the same for myself. One gets used to the nice weather of San Diego and I find myself at a loss for things to do when I am forced to stay indoors. I am not backlogged with work at the moment and have recently…
Columns & Rows I have started a new spreadsheet. I love spreadsheets. Ever since I first met a VisiCalc spreadsheet back in about 1979, I have been in love with spreadsheets and what they can do. I actually think that spreadsheets may be the most impactful invention of my time. I know people will scoff at that in light of everything from EVs to Smartphones, but my logic is quite simple. Spreadsheets enabled all innovations…
Step By Step Most exercise measurement programs today seem to focus on walking steps and counting them. I get it. Walking is good for you. It is relatively low impact and almost everyone can do it. But not everyone enjoys it. I am one of those people who does not like walking. My size and weight makes walking a pain in my lower back. I have tried using walking sticks, which help, but not completely.…
Who’s The Bad Guy? Tonight I found a Netflix 5-part series on WWII. I know what you’re thinking, haven’t I had enough of WWII with all the war movies I have watched over the years? Yes, I’ve seen them all, but what I liked about this documentary series was that it used original footage that was colorized and enhanced (which does bring some of that old film to life as Peter Jackson showed us with…
Friends and Enemies This morning I spoke to an associate that I first met in late 2008 (fifteen years ago). For the better part of six years of that time we worked together in what was a fairly strained relationship. We were never outwardly hostile to one another, but let’s just say that there was a lot of tension. Now, with the mellowing of age and the passage of time, we are quite friendly in…
Our Own Reality This Christmas my daughter Carolyn gave me a great grandparent gift in the form of a 2024 calendar that is a four-inch block of daily photos of my granddaughters. That means that I have a pad of 366 (2024 is a Leap Year) daily reminders of the charm and beauty of my two granddaughters, Charlotte and Evelyn. When you stop and think about that, to gather and even have 366 current photos…