On The Fly

In this episode - The Power of Positive Thinking . . . The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale is a self-help book that explores the impact of optimism and positive thoughts on your life. Peale emphasizes the influence of one's thoughts on shaping experiences and achieving success. This small book has sold over 5 million copies since it was first published in 1952. I recently purchased a copy from our local Barnes & Noble and read it again because our lives were changing once more. Let me explain. As 2023 draws to a close, I have taken it upon myself to reflect on what has influenced my thinking and my life. Like many, during these challenging times of war in Israel and Ukraine, with the proliferation of hate and violence, I am trying to regain the optimism that fueled me to become who I am today. After moving to California in April 1985, I felt compelled to meet Dr. Norman Vincent Peale (see Dreamers) . Why? Not because I had read his book but because the Title...

In this episode - At Christmas . . . by Edgar Guest, narrated by Lori Ball. I stumbled upon this poem while doing a Google search for holiday poetry to recite for the Podcast. Allow me to tell you a bit about the Poet. Edgar Albert Guest was a British-born American  poet  famous in the first half of the 20th century and became known as the People's Poet. He began his career at the  Detroit Free Press  as a copyboy and then as a reporter; his first poem appeared on December 11, 1898. For 40 years, Guest was widely read throughout  North America . From his first published work in the  Detroit Free Press,  until he died in 1959, Guest penned 11,000 poems syndicated in over 300 newspapers. Guest was named  Poet Laureate  of Michigan, the only Poet awarded the title. His popularity led to a weekly Detroit radio show he hosted from 1931 until 1942, followed by a 1951  NBC  television series,  A Guest in Your House. He also had t...

In this episode - Manners Matter . . . Amidst the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it's easy to forget the importance of kindness and respect (manners). However, during this season of celebration, we have the chance to renew our commitment to these values and embody the true spirit of social refinement. Practicing proper etiquette at work, home, and in public can create a positive atmosphere and improve our interactions with those around us. So, let’s embrace the subtle yet powerful art of good manners and make every encounter a moment of grace and positivity. Creating a masterpiece of human connections demands a symphony of small gestures, thoughtful words, and considerate actions rather than conforming to a rigid rulebook. Picture yourself walking into a room, not in a rush, but with a gentle and friendly approach. You look people in the eye, smile warmly, and greet them with a sincere "hello," maybe a fist pump, a handshake, or a hug. This simple gesture shows tha...

In this episode - The Christmas Song . . . Chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Jack Frost nipping at your nose. Yuletide carols being sung by a choir. And folks dressed up like Eskimos. Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe. Help to make the season bright! Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow, Will find it hard to sleep tonight. They know that Santa’s on his way. He’s loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh. And every mother’s child is gonna spy. To see if reindeer really know how to fly. And so, I’m offering this simple phrase, To kids from one to ninety-two. Although it’s been said many times, many ways. Merry Christmas to you. "The Christmas Song" (commonly subtitled "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire") is a classic holiday tune that Mel Tormé and Bob Wells wrote. It was first penned in 1944 during a sweltering hot summer. The songwriters were trying to escape the heat by imagining wintry scenes. Mel Tormé jotted down the lyrics in about 40 minutes wh...

In this episode - Little Golden Books . . .   Experience the magic of Christmas this season with our audio rendition of "Santa’s Toy Shop" (circa 1950). This delightful tale, inspired by the Little Golden Book and illustrated by Walt Disney Studios, takes you on a journey to the North Pole, where Santa Claus and his merry elves work tirelessly to prepare for the holiday season and create toys for children worldwide. Readers get a glimpse of the magical toy-making process as the elves work diligently to craft gifts for children. Each toy is made with care and imagination, showcasing the creativity and craftsmanship of Santa's workshop. Amidst the cheerful chaos of preparing for Christmas, the story highlights the joy of giving and the spirit of generosity that defines the holiday season. As Santa and his team work tirelessly to ensure every child receives that special gift, the book captures the warmth and wonder of Christmas. A little background - George Duplaix created ...

In this episode - Macy’s Day Parade . . . Thanksgiving in America is known for traditions like turkey dinners, football games, and Black Friday sales. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is a long-standing tradition that captures millions of hearts. For nearly a century, the parade has been a source of joy for people of all ages, attracting millions of viewers in person and on television. The parade features giant balloons, marching bands, Broadway musical casts, and celebrity performers, making it America's biggest Thanksgiving Day spectacle. It is hard to imagine Thanksgiving morning without this iconic parade. But how did it all begin? And how has it become a beloved tradition that people look forward to every year? It was 1924, and Macy's held its first Thanksgiving Day Parade. The parade featured store employees, entertainers, floats, marching bands, and animals from the Central Park Zoo. Santa Claus concluded the parade by riding into Herald Square. Over a quarter mill...

In this episode - The Man in the Glass . . . The Man in the Glass By – Dale Wimbrow (published 1934)   When you get what you want in your struggle for self And the world makes you king for a day, Just go to the mirror and look at yourself And see what That man has to say.   For it isn't your father, or mother, or wife, Whose judgment upon you must pass. The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life Is the one staring back from the glass. Some people may think you a straight-shootin’ chum And call you a wonderful guy, But the man in the glass says you’re only a bum If you can’t look him straight in the eye.   He's the fellow to please, never mind all the rest, For he's with you clear up to the end, And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test If the man in the glass is your friend.   You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years, And get pats on the back as you pass, But your final reward will be heartaches and tears If you'...

In this episode - Santas Address – Update . . . Can you feel the holiday spirit in the air? It's all around us! You can see it in the numerous Christmas specials in our inboxes, the stores that have been twinkling with decorations since September, and the jolly old man, Santa, who's popping up in TV commercials everywhere. Speaking of Santa, don't forget to address this year's letter correctly as you prepare your wish list. But first, let's take a trip down memory lane and learn some fascinating history together. Did you know children have been sending letters to Santa for longer than the United States Postal Service (USPS) has existed to deliver them? However, today, they’re far more likely to get a response if you include the correct address. In early America, children’s holiday wish lists were often written out and left by the fireplace or burned in hearths, with the belief that the ashes would rise through the chimney and out to the holiday helper himself. Today...

In this episode - The EV of the Future . . . Have you noticed the number of electric vehicles currently on the market today? But realistically, the electric vehicle (EV) landscape is still in its early stages. According to a recent article in the How-To Geek newsletter, electric vehicles will soon be faster, have extended ranges, and wireless charging capabilities. For those who follow the EV market, we’ve witnessed substantial advancements in electric car technology, specifically performance and range, in recent years. Yet, major automakers such as Tesla and Ford have only scratched the surface, with game-changing features and innovations on the horizon. Here's a glimpse of what lies ahead. Imagine an electric car that can go over 700 miles on one charge and can recharge in under 10 minutes, just as fast as filling up at the gas station. This is what everyone is hoping for. Solid-state batteries could make it happen! Solid-state EV batteries are often regarded as the holy grail o...

In this episode - Introducing The Adventures of Peridot . . . A peculiar collaboration unfolds in the dimly lit chambers of Professor Alister Peridot, that eminent sage whose keen intellect rivals the most illustrious minds of our time, a confluence of wisdom and youthful exuberance. Permit me, dear reader, to illuminate this curious partnership that embarks upon a global pursuit, unraveling the mysteries as elusive and enchanting as the very gemstones they seek to unveil. In the halls of academia, Professor Peridot, a man of revered learning and profound insight, found an unexpected companion in Adamas Bontemps—a name as rare as the jewels they endeavor to fathom. Young Mr. Bontemps, a burgeoning gemologist of fervent curiosity, embarked on a journey into the intricate tapestry of global intrigue and hidden mysteries. With his silvered hair and piercing gaze, Professor Peridot exudes an air of timeless insight: his mind, an intricate maze of deductive prowess, rivals even the great Sh...

In this episode - The Miller Effect . . . The sun hung high in the sky, casting shadows across the desolate landscape of Huron, California. Dr. Vo, a brilliant yet witty electrical engineer, stood before the main breaker box of a massive 1.4 MW-DC solar array that had confounded everyone who had dared to diagnose its persistent issue. It had been six long months of head-scratching and ten failed attempts by others before the desperate call came into Dr. Vo's office. As the sun's rays bathed the vast array in an orange glow, Dr. Vo stepped up to the Main breaker box, his sharp eyes shaded by his green Cenergy cap. He wore his North Face jacket that billowed in the light breeze, and his presence exuded an air of mystery and intrigue that was as pervasive as the problem at hand. The solar array was a colossal assemblage of panels, wires, and inverters, but the main breaker kept tripping, sending the entire operation into chaos. The workers at the site were on edge, muttering, “We’...

In this episode - A Good Cry . . . First, thank you all for your warm, heartfelt wishes and kind words of encouragement about the loss of our dear family member, Junior, the cat. I realize with all that’s happening in the world, the war in Israel and Ukraine, the ridiculous amount of school shootings and gun violence, and in general, the Bad News you hear about every night on the television news, the passing of one cat may seem quiet trivial in perspective. However, I’m afraid our television (TV) generation of violence and killings has calloused our emotional system. Somehow, we’ve become the automatons we fear in the AI sector of our world. Allow me to clarify: in my humble opinion, when you lose a family member, that “force field” surrounding you disappears completely, and if you are human at all, you can’t help but break down suddenly at any given moment into a blubbering mass with a flood of tears and uncontrolled sobbing. In a recent article from the Interesting Facts newslette...

First of all, we want to thank you all for your warm, heartfelt wishes and kind words of encouragement about the loss of our dearest member of the family, Junior. I realize with all that’s happening in the world, the war in Israel, and Ukraine, the ridiculous amount of school shootings and gun violence, and in general, the Bad News you hear about every night on the television, the passing of a cat may seem quiet trivial in perspective.  However, I’m afraid our TV generation of violence and killings has calloused our emotional system, and somehow, we’ve become the automatons we fear in the AI sector of our world. Allow me to remind you of something: when you lose a family member, that shield disappears completely, and if you are human at all, you can’t help but break down suddenly at any given moment into a blubbering mass with tears and uncontrolled sobbing. Thank God for our pets, family, and friends and for building into the human spirit that emotional thermostat. In a recent ...

This morning, there is something missing from my life. There's an empty space on the back of our sofa where my companion Tony Junior (Jr.) usually sleeps or watches the world go by through the window, perched on his soft, red, fuzzy blanket. There, he waits for me to join him in a nap so he can climb onto my chest, settle in, and purr as I gently scratch his chin and behind his left ear. You see, last night, October 10, 2023, Jr. quietly passed at about 11:30 p.m. Needless to say, I’m heartbroken. As I write this, tears are streaming down my cheeks. You see, Jr. was my special friend like no other. He never complained; he was always there to greet me every morning, at night, returning from a mountain trip, or just from a daily walk around the neighborhood. Junior, our indoor cat, had a routine of following me around the house. He never wanted to venture outside - he considered our home “his castle.” I could set my watch to his predictable daily routines. And he knew mine. See What ...