On The Fly

In this episode – You're Not Convincing . . . Music and singing, "In the year 2110, folks decide to think again, Choosing life is always free, And it's the best in history, whoa whoa" . . .  Audio – Narration of Chapter 1 pgs. 2 - 5. Well, what do you think now? You've just heard an excerpt (part II) from the novel A New World of Hope by Don Hanley. Let's see if we can get Professor Mark Haloran to spend a few minutes with us on this week's podcast?  Last week we asked our listeners, "What would you do or think if someone from the year 2141 appeared in your home right now? Interview segment - "How are you on this fine day, Mark? "We have a few responses from our listening audience; the big question that came up was this, "Why on Earth would you pick 2018?” Mark's response . . . "Thank you, Mark, for your time; we hope to have you on another episode down the road.” The story continues; tune in next time, same  Pod   time, same ...

In this episode – In the Year 2141 . . . Music and singing, "In the year 2141, we truly are awake, We swim in every lake cause it's clean. Audio – Narration of Chapter 1 pgs. 1 & 2. What you've just heard is an excerpt from the novel A New World of Hope by Don Hanley that we introduced to you in last week's episode. Are you interested in hearing more? I'd love to know; if not, let me know as well. To help with your decision, allow me to share the Preface to Professor Mark Haloran's story with you. Audio – Narration of the Preface. Question – “What would you do if a man or woman from the year 2141 appeared in your house this morning? What would you think, and what would YOU ask them?” Tune in next time, same Pod time, same Pod channel, and let's see if we can get Professor Haloran on the phone to talk about the year 2141. If you haven't heard, this podcast is now available on Amazon Music! Just say, "Alexa play - On the Fly podcast by Patrick ...

Podcast – A New World of Hope . . . "Books are filled with ideas, and it's ideas that shape our lives." Sometimes, a book captures your imagination, motivates you to act, and fulfills a desire hidden deep within your soul. Let me introduce you to an author and his most recent novel that I just finished reading. But before I do, allow me to set the stage for how unforeseen pivotal moments can unexpectedly touch your life for the better. In hindsight, one of those moments was an invitation to join a local writer's group after my early retirement from GIA in 2014. It was during that experience I met and came to know Don Hanley, Ph.D. A former Catholic Priest who left the ministry to marry. Don earned a doctorate in psychology and has worked as a psychotherapist, graduate school professor, and counseling supervisor. His writings include professional articles and booklets, three novels, and he is currently working on a fourth. Don lives in northern San Diego County. During...

In this episode  Twas the Night Before Christmas . . .  by Clement Clarke Moore Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house not a creature  was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there. The children were nestled all snug in their beds while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads. And Mama in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap. When out on the roof, there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window, I flew like a flash, tore open the shutter, and threw up the sash. The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow gave the luster of midday to objects below, when what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer. With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. More rapid than eagles, ...

Mauricette Elaine Ball (Bontemps), 84,  of Cuba passed away peacefully at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, October 30, 2018 in the comfort of her home, with her loving children by her side. Mauricette was born February 15, 1934 in La Rochelle, France to Roger Jean Francois Bontemps and Lucienne Marie Fernande Percot of Lagord, France. Mauricette met and married Donald Lee Ball in La Rochelle, France. With barely a command of the English language immigrated to America in 1959. As a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, Mauricette cherished her family above all. Her marriage to Donald flourished, together they built an upstanding family. Donald passed in January 2015. What God has kept together for over 57 years, he shall keep together for all eternity. Mauricette, known as Marci to her friends, served her community as a cook at Cuba Elementary School, a housekeeper and caregiver for the elderly, and a self-taught beautician. During the fall harves...

“Let’s do it, this morning drive to Glacier Point , the weather is beautiful today, no plans, just spend some time exploring.” Little did we know that the trip would provide an experience we would fall in love with yet again. For our 30 th anniversary, we were drawn once again to the tranquility of Yosemite. Exploring the National Parks - exquisite solitude, exhilaration, and the delight of re-discovery. Once we arrived, no set agenda, just go wherever nature leads you. This year, we arrived in Yosemite early October; the gold and crimson colors were clearly evident. The vibrant colors of fall, mixed with the stark coal-black recent fire damage, tiptoed up the mountain walls. Early mornings, a slight mist hugged the meadows at Wawona, illuminated by a soft diffused light. The air was crisp and cool – many would say downright cold - clean with the fresh scent of wet pines carried on the breeze. Temperatures dropped into the 30s at night. Our vacation home this year...

Close your eyes and picture this; it's early evening, a cool crisp breeze in the Western Sierras, relaxing in the parlor of Wawona Hotel , masquerading as the Big Trees Hotel, which opened in 1879, a baby grand in the corner, at the keyboard, piano man, Tom Bopp asks, "Any requests?" "Do you know any Cole Porter?" He winked and smiled, "I could play Cole Porter all night."  Then he launched into: "When the little bluebird Who has never said a word Starts to sing "Spring, spring" When the little bluebell At the bottom of the dell Starts to ring, ding ding When the little blue clerk In the middle of his work Starts a tune to the moon up above It is nature; that's all Simply telling us to fall in love." "Birds do it, bees do it Even educated fleas do it Let's do it; let's fall in love." Let's Do It, Let's Fall in Love - Cole Porter 1928 That melody sta...

It’s called a Metric Century, we call it this years birthday ride. Distance: 62.5 miles, ride time 5 hrs. 19 minutes 12 seconds, average speed 11.7 mph. I’m fairly certain that I will never shoot my age in Golf, swim the English Channel, or for that matter ride the Race Across America. However, since my 50th birthday my self-proclaimed yearly goal is to complete a bicycle ride, in one day, at least my age in miles, on or near my birthday. This year,   August 16, 2018, this olé boy has completed 62 trips around the Sun on this home we call Earth. That’s really hard to believe. With the advent of Facebook, Twitter, and other social media outlets I’ve been able to shout from the mountaintop my proposed goal to all who will listen. Even to those who could care less. This serves two purposes; first, to sustain a foundational fitness level as I get older. Dr. Dennis Waitley reminds us that our bodies are, “Our transportation vehicle to the future.” Cycling provides a...

Peter Sagan claims stage two of the 105th Tour de France following an uphill sprint win in La Roche-sur-Yon, 182.5 km (113.4 miles), after another hectic finale involved a major crash on the final bend and yet more splits in the field. Ah, Summer! Bicycling magic is renewed for millions when the voices of Phil Liggett, Paul Sherwen, Bob Roll, and Jens Voight grace the television airwaves broadcasting  Le Tour de France  (Le Tour). When you have the audacity to believe you’re an accomplished bicyclist, tune into NBC S N Sports broadcast of Le Tour in July (July 7 - July 29, 2018), this year on YouTube TV. Quickly humility sets in. This year marks the 105th Anniversary - 21 stages, a total distance of 2,898 kilometers (1,874 miles), and only two,  yes two , rest days - of this classic race that tours the French countryside with the finale in Paris on the Champs-Elysées. Bicycling magazine lists a few fun facts about Le Tour; racers will consume 16...