On The Fly

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 to detention. Frankly, I can’t re

In this episode, Small Town Life . . . With this Bonus segment, I want to address a recent comment, from a listener, posted on my Blog - On The Fly. It was this,   " Please tell of your favorite moments growing up in Cuba, Illinois.” That’s a great question. Hmmm, maybe we could make this a series . . . First, let me say this, it was 1985 when I moved to California to pursue a completely transformed life as a gemologist, and  educator. My blog posts over the years have focused on memories from my youth growing up in that small Midwestern town. A few examples are: The Barber Shoppe Memories or Tradition Twinkies and 7up My Country Doctor Those documented memories are the synthesis of many years of listening to motivational tapes, Podcasts and reading books that trigger these special memories and allow me to embellish them as a writer. So, let’s just jump right into a couple of my favorite moments not documented. During my Jr. High years, one of my most treasured experiences was tim

Podcast - Special Shoes . . . Look down at your feet, right now. What do you see? Are you wearing shoes? You might be wearing slippers, flip flops, running shoes, supple leather dress shoes, or your most comfortable everyday shoes? I’m looking at a pair of brown, soft suede leather, around-town walking shoes. My go-to, most comfortable shoes. As I was putting on my old faithful, everyday shoes to run errands a thought flashed into my mind. “When your shoes wear out you’re simply back on your feet” - right where it all started. It’s said, “A journey of a thousand leagues begins with a single step.” That quote is attributed to Lao-tzu, the ancient Chinese philosopher who wrote the Tao Te Ching, born 604 B.C. Imagine how worn his sandals must have been? But what about today? Your personal journey begins with a single step every day. Just how many pairs of shoes are in your closet, or under the bed? More than you think, I’m sure of it. I see you running off to count them, haha. Where will

Podcast  – Common Sense . . . It was Voltaire who said, “Common sense is not so common.” Welcome to Labor Day weekend. With this pandemic still around us and businesses beginning to open up, please exercise your best judgment when going out. I’ve been holding on to this segment that appeared in The London Times on Common Sense for most of the summer. Here’s what it said; Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: Knowing when to come in out of the rain; Why the early bird gets the worm; Life isn't always fair; and Maybe it was my fault. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge). His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned