On The Fly

In the episode - Dreamers  . . . "If you can Dream it, you can Do it!" He would say. We met face-to-face one Sunday morning, standing at the entrance to the church after a service held for over 2,500 people. As we shook hands, our eyes locked together, suddenly I was the only person in this long line of visitors; he greeted me by name with a broad smile as we left the church. It was only the third time we had met, and he remembered my name? Out of multitudes of people, this man sees every day - how was that possible? Many called him a dreamer. I would come to know him as Dr. Schuller. The lead pastor of Garden Grove Community Church, or at that time, The Crystal Cathedral. His sermon moved me emotionally much more than I expected. With a booming voice and a wave of his hand, he proclaimed, "Today's accomplishments were yesterday's impossibilities." His ministry had stood the test of time and ridicule. Seated in a magnificent all-glass structure with a blue ...

Paradox Hotel Reception I awoke quietly, surprisingly rested, from a deep sleep to a peaceful October rain. After an eight hour drive, we arrived late that night, checked into our hotel, and went directly to bed. We had debated whether to make the trip for a wedding celebration hosted by friends who now lived in Santa Cruz, California. I’m so thankful we did. There was music in the air. With Lori quietly sleeping I brewed the “perfect cup” of coffee and stepped out onto our patio. Sitting in a comfy chair I immersed myself in the experience; it was dark, the air was brisk, and no one stirred. Sipping my coffee I placed my fine ceramic mug on the side-table, a tree stump. The melody of soft pattering rain on the roof. The sweet scent of wet pines. As daylight diffused through the dark clouds vibrant fall colors exploded around me. Ahh, how beautiful. How relaxing. We don’t see trees like this in Southern California, I thought. I do miss this. I drained my coffee mug...

F-35B Lighting How do you duplicate the deafening roar of the U.S. Marine Corps Aircraft F-35B Lighting in a blog post? Well, it’s simple just provide a link to a Lockheed Martin demonstration video of a vertical takeoff then amplify that sound ten-fold. Marine aviators call it, “The sound of freedom!” If you attended this years MCAS Miramar air show you witnessed first hand the might of the U.S Military’s air defense capabilities. Since becoming a volunteer at the Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation I’ve heard more combination of letters and numbers that represent a variety of tactical air defense machinery than I can mentally process. Let’s be honest, it’s as if the retired fighter pilots are speaking a different language. The only fighter jets I’m familiar with are the planes the U.S. Navy Blue Angels fly. You’ve seen them, they’re a beautiful blue with a bright yellow stripe on the under-side. Ok, I see you laughing at me. As a recently elected board member of the...

Today’s question is about diamond treatments, fillers, diamond look-alikes and making a difference. Before we begin, let me emphasize the obvious: During general observation, always check for coated diamonds first! Fooled you - this segment is about reminding our readers how women continue to make a difference in the jewelry industry. Recently during the Las Vegas show a question came up about Eunice Miles. My first thought, that would be a great segment for Ask A Gemologist. Eunice R. Miles, G.G., 1917 - 1997, was the first female gemologist/researcher in the GIA Laboratory. Her GIA career began in 1953. She made history by becoming the first woman to join then GIA’s Gem Trade Laboratory, in New York. In 1963 she did it again when Gems and Gemology (Winter 1962–63, Vol. 10, No. 12, pp. 355–364, 383) published her article Diamond-Coating Techniques and Methods of Detection. In 1963, she was acknowledged in the U.S. Department of Mines annual report for advancing diamond re...

Main Street, Cuba, Il. Allow me to share a story with you. You see, 2014 is the 40th year anniversary of Cuba High School’s class of 1974. My class. You’ve all heard the tiresome cliche, “Times flies.” Well, it does. No kidding! While going through scanned photos of my High School year books, I was transported back in time . . . “You know how this goes,” said my sixth grade teacher. “Face the chalk board, feet spread apart, bend over, hands on the desk - sssmaaack as the paddle hit its mark on my hind-side.  Honestly, I don’t even remember what this paddling was for. But I do remember the sting, and the embarrassment I felt standing in front of the class. No, I wasn’t the only one. Like all schools we had our share of misfits. In our small, rural farming community of west central Illinois I’m happy to report there was no teen violence, no shootings, and no serious vandalisms. Well, ok, we did tend to torment the local policeman, who we dubbed Barney Fife. A group of us wo...

“It is our attitude toward life that determines  life's  attitude towards us.” I must have been about nine when that quote first entered my subconscious, growing up in Cuba, Illinois. My family’s morning breakfast routine was to listen to Earl Nightingale’s daily five-minute radio program, “Our Changing World,” on the local radio station: “WBYS - AM and FM—Canton, Illinois.” That jingle vividly echoes in my mind. Nightingale’s deep, resonant voice captivated my imagination. Little did I know that program would have such a profound impact on my thinking. Subsequently, Earl Nightingale shared many profound quotes that have influenced my life. “Your attitudes and expectations are a merciless reflection of you.” I’m proud to say that I’m a life-long learner. A student of the game of life. Almost 50 years later I still start my day with this positive daily routine. Set aside time just to listen, read, and reflect. All these years I’ve read and lis...

Dubai, United Arab Emirates An image of a turquoise door popped-up on my computer screen, [Incoming video from 1740 Tsavorite Lane ]. Magically, his front door opened and Hercule Peridot appeared on my monitor. As always, he was impeccably dressed; a fine silk vest, and dashing gold necktie. His lean, congenial, smiling face radiating from my screen. Sensationnel, how in the world does he do it? I thought. He is always dressed to the T. “Adamas Bontemps, how are you my boy?” “I’m better than ever Peridot, and you?” “Fine, absolutely splendid. Have you considered the trip to Dubai?” “Yes, I’ve been reminiscing about my last adventure there.” “Your thoughts?” asked Peridot. “You mentioned visiting a Pearl dealer but . . . ” I hesitated a moment, “I’m wondering?” “Yes?” “Have you made plans for our accommodations yet? I asked.” “Well, interesting that you ask.” said Peridot. “I’ve narrowed it down to three possible hotels; The Emirates Tower, ...

Clay Jenkinson (click here) as Thomas Jefferson Recently I accepted and participated in the #ALSIceBucketChallenge . Subsequently, made a video, posted it to YouTube, FaceBook, and Twitter of me getting doused with ice water, made my donation to the ALS foundation , and challenged three friends to reciprocate. Currently over 1.7 million donors have contributed over $79.7 million. Honestly, it was fun, created awareness within my community, and was a refreshing summer cooler. The fact that this quirky social phenomena went viral, got me thinking. What would happen if people were challenged, no money involved, to build a better you. Would this in turn build a better social community?  The challenge: Recite out loud, in front of a mirror, the following oath every day for 32 days, I remember it well: “On my #honor, I will do my best to do my #duty to God and my country and obey the Scout Law; to #help other people at all times; to keep myself physically #strong, mental...