On The Fly

In this episode, A Burr in the Britches . . . People often ask why I'm always up before the birds. Well, mostly because I'm awake. And if I’m awake, there’s usually a mental list of things to do already spooling out like a tangled fly line. But really, it's about the quiet. That sliver of pre-dawn peace. Coffee, a few pages of whatever's on the side table – right now, it’s a dog-eared copy of humorous essays on Fly Fishing by John Gierach – then shutting off the lights and just . . . thinking and sorting out the day's tangles before they actually tangle. You'd think a clear, crisp morning would feel like a blessing after a couple of days of rain. And it did, mostly. But there's always something, isn't there? A little burr in the britches, a knot in the tippet. This morning, it was the neighbor's lights. Now, I'm not one to get all worked up about such things. But there it was, this unwelcome glow seeping in through the windows. The side door an...

In this episode – Change your Performance . . . Hard to believe it's been over two years already; my service at Cenergy Power has invigorated me now more than ever. Why, you ask? To paraphrase Dr. Seuss, When you’re on your own. And you know what you know. You’ll be the one who’ll decide where to go. Employ your mind with work you enjoy, you will blossom my friend. In January 2019, while still working at Home Depot, I realized that it was time, once again, to continue my lifelong commitment to self-evaluation and personal expression. Like many, I needed a change. My performance was suffering. But what to do about it? Then it hit me, stretch yourself. "Re-Fire!" Don't retire. And what better way to do that than go back and revisit old friends. Books. Books that made a powerful impact on my thinking and my professional behavior. "Of course, the parables co-authored by Ken Blanchard." But this time, as I reread those books commit to putting the learning into a...

In this episode, A Tribute to Dr. Seuss . . . by; Patrick Ball From Amazon, it must have been kismet, I received my  first  book, such a joy to revisit. Hand-delivered by truck, Dr. Seuss,  Oh,  what luck! Oh, the Places You’ll Go! I know what you’re thinking, “You’re too old for kids' books, wake up - stop dreaming.” The winter is dark, a rediscovery - who me? The  thrill  of reading, It’s what sets you  free .   Like you, I’m off to great places. “We’re off and away!” Reading is fun amidst the news of today. Come on - you’ve read Ted Geisel, you may recall, The Grinch  Christmas podcast was recorded last fall. That wasn’t a book, but a digital rendition, We read from a Kindle, O h My , we  Broke  tradition! It worked, on an iPad, artwork in color. But let's be clear, it wasn’t that clever. Somehow - someway - it’s just not the same. Having a book in hand, that’s the name of the game. What a tactile sensation, Not to mention the sm...