On The Fly

In this episode – Happy Accidents; The Power of Serendipity . . . Welcome back to On the Fly! This week, we're exploring the delightful world of serendipity—those happy accidents that can lead to amazing discoveries and experiences. Have you ever had one of those moments where you stumbled upon something incredible, completely by chance? Maybe you found a hidden gem of a restaurant while getting lost or ran into an old friend you haven't seen in years. That, my friends, is the magic of serendipity. The term "serendipity" was coined by an 18th-century author, Horace Walpole. He derived it from a fairy tale about three princes who consistently made fortunate discoveries during their travels in a land called Serendip, an old name for Sri Lanka. Up until 1972, Sri Lanka was known as Ceylon. Serendipity is the act of finding good things by chance. However, it's not just luck; it's also about being open to new experiences and possibilities. In today's fast-paced...

In this episode – Traffic Everywhere . . . Our commute in California has recently increased from a local 5-minute drive to an hour-long trip on the California freeways. This made me wonder about the extent of traffic congestion on today's roads. With more cars on the road than ever, it's no wonder many end up stuck in traffic. Over 90% of American households own at least one car, so chances are you have been in a gridlock a few times. What causes traffic congestion, especially those sudden jams? Is traffic getting worse, and how much time do we spend in traffic? Here are a few facts about traffic that can help answer some of these questions. According to INRIX , a traffic analytics firm, in 2022, the average time Americans spent in traffic was 51 hours. While this may seem like a lot, the United Kingdom had it worse, with an average of 80 hours of traffic delays. In addition to the time lost, Americans also had to bear an average of $546 in fuel costs due to traffic delays. The...

The Chicago Cubs are World Series Champions! Honestly, did you ever think that was something you could say in your lifetime? Admittedly last night when the Cubs took game seven with an 8-7 Win over the Cleveland Indians my first thought, “Well Dad, they did it - finally the Cubs win the World Series. Wish you were here to see it.” But it was much more than that . . .  The names and faces of every Cubs fan I’ve known since boyhood exploded into my mind; Cocky Lyons , my fathers barber, The Heller boys, our neighbors where I played baseball as a small boy, Ole’ Tom, who ran the town pool hall, and so many more. The Cubs, back then, were a team we could only listen to on Super Station WGN Chicago. That was over 50 years ago. But every season we listened, and prayed that someday the Cubs would be victorious. For those who follow this blog you’ve read many of my baseball ramblings as a fan of this great game. And yes, this historic game seven was a most exciting game. L...

Wrigley Field, Chicago On April 23, 2015 Chicago Cubs fans will celebrate 101 years of Wrigley Field, could this be 'next year'? Click to see video on YouTube . During the dog-days of summer baseball fans come to the stark realization their team has been mathematically eliminated from the pennant race. And the chant begins again, “Wait till next year.” Cub fans have been waiting since 1908. Yes, believe it, 1908 was when the Cubs won their last World Series. Way before television, long before radio, and by a fluke of what baseball fanatics call Merkle’s Boner. For those not familiar with the story, now that I think of it, not many people I know today were there to witness the twist of fate that allowed the Cubs the opportunity to win the National League Pennant that year then the World Series. The heated race for the Pennant came down to the Cubs vs the New York Giants. It was the bottom of the ninth, with two men out, two men on base, and the score tied on...

Peridot: Photo Robert Weldon Gemstones have been my fascination since childhood and, although in 1985 I embarked on the study of gems, I could never get a handle on practical gemology until I met Hercule Peridot. My name is Adamas Bontemps; as you will see, I was destined to discover the power of that elusive skill, the science of deduction. That cold, windy February day in Chicago would change my life forever . . .  It was 1982 when I first met Peridot; he was on the docket as the primary lecturer for a weekend gem seminar at the Natural History Museum in Chicago. It was a three-day affair. Peridot’s expertise was diamonds; in his flamboyant, jocular style, he captivated the audience with the power of the spoken word. The history, lore, the remarkable properties, and most of all, his enthusiasm and love for the study of that elusive gem. Day two of the conference, it was as if my mind was radiated by a glowing light, “That’s exactly what I want to do!” That day was ma...

Zenith Radio “No man is rich enough to buy back the past.” – Oscar Wilde. That thought may be true however, vivid memories at unexpected times can flood the present. My childhood for the most part was very uneventful; growing up in the small Midwestern town of Cuba, Illinois was going to happen anyway with no particular thought or effort on my part. There were many experiences that mirrored the very fabric of life in the 1960s. Baseball reflected the sounds and smells of summer. The ole' timers congregated at Main Street Barber Shop in Cuba, its proprietor Bernard (Cocky) Lyons, a rabid Cubs fan. Monthly, my father would take my brothers and me for our haircuts.  The sweet smell of Vitalis filled the air, the jars of blue liquid with combs on the shelf, and of course conversations about the plight of the Chicago Cubs. This is my first memory of major league baseball. As a young boy my attention was not on the game, really....