On The Fly

In this episode - Christmas-Eve with Dad . . . We all have special memories with our Dads at Christmas. Here’s one of mine. While preparing Podcasts for this Holiday season, I was reminded of this treasured memory—enjoy! As I entered Joe’s Hardware in Fallbrook, California, I was surprised to see a display of W. R. Case and Sons Cutlery Co. knives. This transported me back to Marshall’s TrueValue Hardware store, on the square in Cuba, Illinois . . .   You see, just inside the front door, to your left, was an extraordinary display of Case knives. I always had to stop and look at the wide selection, thinking - Someday I’ll be old enough to buy myself one . Why Case? Well, because that’s what Dad always carried. You see, my Dad was a traditional outdoorsman. A hunter. He loved to hunt; rabbits, squirrels, pheasants, raccoons (coons), and whatever was in season. His spare time was spent in the woods hunting or on a river fishing with his children. No, not just for sport. It supplemente...

In this episode - Christmas-Eve Day . . . When was the last time your neighbors surprised you? Ours did this past weekend. One young family who passes by our home every day around 5:00 p.m. came to our door, dressed in red, (the little guy peeked in our window) holding a tray of Christmas treats. “You did get Snoopy up for the Holidays, we love Snoopy, thank you.” “Merry Christmas,” he said while extending his platter wrapped in foil. This reminded me of a Holiday poem we recorded to share with our family. We want to share it with you - enjoy. Christmas-Eve Day . . . “Twas the day before Christmas," and all through our house, The kitties were stirring, in search of their mouse. With Missy on guard, and Junior prowling ‘round. We were watching TV, not making a sound.   The stockings were hung on the mantel with care, In hopes that Junior would not go on a tear. Filled with ornaments and lights, to brighten the season, Our house was all warmed . . . 'gainst the chill was the rea...

Podcast - Christmas Online . . . Time flies! We’re already into November, Thanksgiving just five days away! Black Friday - a thing of the past, at least this year with the COVID pandemic still a reality. Now it's ALL about Online shopping. Including cherished TV specials that have always aired free on broadcast television. For example, did you know that a Charlie Brown Christmas will only be available on Apple TV+ streaming service this year? In 2018 Apple purchased the rights to the Charles M. Schultz Peanuts specials. Update: 12/4/2020 - Watch it live on Sunday, December 13, at 7:30/6:30c on PBS and PBS KIDS. Still, “Christmas - is - just around the corner.” As a youngster - just around the corner - meant Main Street on the square; Marshall’s Hardware, climb the stairs to Santa Land. My brothers and I would take a walk to town to check out all the toys we wanted Santa to bring. Day-and-Palin’s had the only Christmas tree lot that I remember in our small town. Wai...

In this episode, Fishing for an Idea . . .   “He was an old man who fished alone in a skiff in the Gulf Stream and he had gone for eighty-four days now without taking a fish.” No, no, this is not the Gulf it's the Au Sable River .   . . . Smell - the crisp scent of the northern pines. Focus - this is your enlightened creative self-expression talking. Place your inspired future front and center in your life. Listen - can you hear the soft gurgling sound of running water? Cast your fly-rod into that swirling pool. There’s an idea there. Wake-up! Your eyelids flicker then instantly your eyes pop open. The clock on the dresser says 4:00 a.m. In a semi-consciousness state, you stumble out of bed. You make your way, in the dark, to that little room where the world has absolved you of all obligations to communicate with another human being. Privacy. Face-it, we all do it - scattered thoughts as we talk to ourselves in our minds, especially when we’re dreaming. Well, now that you're u...

In this episode - The $25,000 Idea . . . Have you ever heard about the single idea for which a man was paid $25,000? I’ve been scouring my audio library for thoughts we could share. And was reminded of the simplicity and power of this story that Earl Nightingale shared in his seminal work Lead the Field; here  it is; The president of a big steel company had granted an interview to an efficiency expert named Ivy Lee. Lee told his prospective client how he could help him better manage the company. The president broke in to say something to the effect that he wasn’t managing as well as he knew how.  He went on to tell Ivy Lee that what was needed wasn’t more knowing - but more doing. “We know what we should be doing. If you can show us a better way of getting it done, I’ll listen to you – and pay you anything within reason you ask.” Lee then said he could give him something in 20 minutes to increase his efficiency by at least 50 percent.  He then handed the executive a blan...

Podcast - Meet Methuselah . . . Yes, tonight is Halloween. You were expecting me in a costume as a 969-year-old man? Sorry, this Methuselah is much older. It was day two hiking the Eastern Sierras. Our 27th year wedding anniversary getaway. We had decided to explore the Sierras with Bishop, CA. as our home base. Examining our map, Lori mentioned, “Here’s something we should see. It's the four-mile Methuselah Walk of the ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest near Big Pine, CA.”  So we were up early the next morning, raring to go. With directions in hand. Make your way to Big Pine, CA. on Route 395. Turn onto Route 168. Then wind your way slowly up-down, with hairpin switchbacks, and spectacular views with elevation gains from 3,980 feet to over 10,000 feet to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Visitors Center. Heed this warning - the map that says, plan on at least a one hour drive once you leave Route 395 at Big Pine don’t doubt it, it’s slow going. My suggestion, plan ahead. The intrepid hik...

Podcast - Chatter . . . Just the other day - well, what seems like the other day, Lori brought home a pristine copy of  The Readers Digest  from December 1966 (35 cents). The cover is exactly as I remember it, a summary outline of the articles with the corresponding page numbers. This issue boasts 45 th  Year: Over 27 million copies bought monthly in 14 languages.  That was over 54 years ago! How she acquired this heirloom is interesting. The Paul Ecke family was featured in an article titled Crimson for Christmas . Paul Ecke III came across boxes of this particular issue that he distributed to employees of the Paul Ecke Ranch. The trifold cover page featured an ad from Ford, “Mustang 1967 . . . bred first to be first!” With the slogan, “Just in time for Christmas . . . the do-it-Yourself Escape Kit!” What’s interesting is the First Class Business Reply Postage Paid subscription card in the centerfold reads, “One new Digest gift subscription ONLY $2.” Yes, in 2020 yo...

In this episode - Possibility Thinking . . . Dateline - November 22, 1987. “Doctor Schuller, Lori, and I have decided to marry and I’m wondering what’s the “Possibility” of you performing our ceremony?” With a broad smile, Dr. Robert H. Schuller winked at me and said, “It’s a very good possibility , however, my schedule is rather busy, you will need to contact my secretary to make the arrangements.” So, the next day, Lori called. “What date are you considering?” She asked. “October 22nd, next year, possibly a morning ceremony.” “I’m afraid he’s out of town that day. The earliest he is available is 6:00 pm.” “That’s fine, we can work with that.” After confirmation with Dr. Schuller’s secretary, the following day, Lori called the events manager of weddings. “Who is your Pastor?” “Doctor Schuller.” With a professional demeanor, but obvious disbelief in her voice, “You do know Dr. Schuller does not perform wedding ceremonies anymore? Also, our time slots for weddings and receptions are...

In this episode - Misfits at Halloween . . . It’s autumn, and Halloween is approaching - how do you capture the experience, the smells, the rustling sounds of multicolored falling leaves, the quiet, peaceful feeling, the solitude of life in a small town? News flash, I’m here to tell you it’s not always as tranquil as sentimental storytellers like to depict it. Admittedly, like all agrarian communities, Cuba had its pranksters. Thankfully, though, in our small, rural farming community of the late 1960s and early 70s, I’m happy to report there was no teen violence, no gang shootings, and no serious vandalism. Well, ok, we did torment the local policeman, who we dubbed Barney Fife (I don’t remember his name). In the fall, most families would have harvested their gardens by Halloween, but inevitably, there would be leftovers. A group of us would hide behind Jim Welch’s garden fence on Main Street and hurl the leftover, soft, rotten tomatoes at Barney’s squad car as he patrolled the town. F...

Podcast- Detentions . . . Nod your head if you remember the “punishment” of being kept after school - A  Detention . Punishment? I’m inclined to say the kids in our school thought detention was a joke. Let me give you a couple of examples, stick with me. My graduating class of 1974 (grades 1-12) attended school in three different buildings.  First, it was Cuba Elementary, a design that followed the era’s more modern, one-story, flat-roof design aesthetic. Here we attended grades one - six. No kindergarten when I started school. Then we transitioned to the old High School building on Main Street, built-in 1913.   A three-story brick design similar to Jefferson High school from the TV sitcom Happy Days .   And finally, our new building which I believe opened in 1970, connected, to the old one, via the Gymnasium and Cafeteria. It was a grand achievement when we finally  graduated  to the 7th grade, Jr. High on Main Street. This was our first introduction...