Tag Archives: life
Once again I climbed the stairs. A trip I have taken a thousand times. Often, like last night, in the wee hours, groggy from lack of sleep. On one such trip, while racing in the dark, I stubbed my toe. Hopping on one foot, stifling a yell, I nearly fell. That was a lifetime ago, and I was a much younger, agiler man. In contrast, last night’s quick ascent was dignified and majestic – as befits my status as the…..
If I only learned one thing from Dr. Schmidt, it was this simple axiom: “Until you understand the problem, you cannot arrive at a solution.” Of course, Schmidt was speaking of Calculus. However, the saying is as true for society as it is for mathematics. Case in point. After every tragedy, we stampede to our appointed corners. There, safely ensconced with the like-minded, we scream at those with whom we disagree. The nightly news degenerates into argument and insult –…..
The speaker droned on about life after graduation. It was a typical baccalaureate message, which he delivered well. Unfortunately, I had already heard my share of such talks. On my lap, granddaughter Caroline began to doze. Across the room, somebody coughed, and the graduates shuffled impatiently in their seats. The soft rustle of academic robes provided an accompaniment to the speaker’s serious tone. I’m afraid that’s when my attention drifted. Like most men, I prefer action to self-reflection, building…..
Imagine if you will, an ordinary yellow star – humdrum, prosaic, even boring, little different from the millions, nay billions, of such stars populating our universe. This modest star is located on the fringe of a vast swirling galaxy. There, in the backwaters of its galaxy, it is far enough from the galactic center to avoid excess high energy radiation and interstellar collisions, yet close enough to include significant metals. It is in the Galactic Habitable Zone – a necessity…..
In the flickering light of the theater, were three eager faces, transfixed, mesmerized by the screen; cradled in each lap, a priceless treasure – a drink, popcorn, candy. Perched on Daddy’s lap the two-year-old carefully, reverently, poked her treasure through an ear-to-ear grin. Yep, hooked she was, by her first real movie. Midway through the story, with her popcorn and drink gone, Denali grew restless. Perhaps the movie dragged, maybe she was tired; regardless the toddler’s attention strayed. Then she…..