On The Fly

There’s a special tie to Baseball history that continues to thrill fans of the game, especially in October. This year I’m torn. Cubs, Dodgers, Yankees, or Astros? If you’ve been watching the 2017 MLB playoffs it’s been a treat so far. Readers of this blog know by now I’m a dedicated Cubs fan, however . . .  First of all, there’s Jose Altuve, the Astros 5′ 6″, 165 lb. sensation, what a joy to watch. He plays the game with reckless abandonment. Will he hit a home run, steal a base to manufacture a run, or simply fly around the bases from first to score the winning run? He’s currently batting .466 in the playoffs and has captured the hearts of baseball fans everywhere. Don’t believe me, just tune into any ALCS game this season and listen to the broadcasters revel in his accomplishments. In complete contrast is the Yankee Rookie sensation Aaron Judge, 6′ 7″, 282 lbs., built for power and speed. With an unassuming smile, and calm demeanor he goes about his business professi...

My reading friend, as you enjoy my Sierra blog posts, by now I’m sure you get the impression that I’m obsessed with age. And maybe I am. Now that I’m on the north side of 60 honestly, I find it difficult to do what seemed so effortless just 10 years ago. Committing to an annual Wilderness Mountain Adventure is my way of reminding myself that daily activity, regular exercise, stretching your imagination, proper diet, and a positive approach to living are what allow me to live life to the fullest.  As Zig Ziglar would say, “You don’t pay the price for good health, you enjoy the benefits of good heath.” So, when I see someone older than me, (older than me, you understand, is 10-15 years my senior) engaged in the same challenging activities it gives me hope that you and I will be exploring life’s mysteries well into our 80s and beyond, God willing. So, let’s get to Part Two of this years adventure. We left our heroes kicked back gazing into a starlit black velvet sky watch...

“Good morning - how far are you going up the trail,” was the question I asked a lone hiker. “Oh, she paused, I’m just out for a stroll.” “Brendan, did you see that woman hiking alone way up here?” “I did, that was probably the oldest person I’ve ever seen hiking these mountains.” “What do you think, 83 maybe 84 years old?” Incredible , I thought to myself, pausing to reflect, at how physically demanding the past few days of climbing switchbacks, scaling boulders, squatting lakeside to filter water, and simply doing the daily chores it takes to wilderness backpack in the Eastern Sierra’s. Owens Valley It was early Friday morning, our forth day in the Sierras, headed home. This octogenarian had climbed over 600 feet of switchbacks to a dramatic view of the Owens Valley, near Bishop CA., destination, Grass Lake. It was day three of our 2017 Sierra adventure. Finally accumulated to the elevation of over 11,000 feet Brendan Laurs, and I were descending to ...

“Now serving G040 at window 14.” Was the announcement over the loudspeaker during my recent visit to the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). My first thought, Oh brother, I wonder how long I’ll be sitting here? We’ve all heard the horror stories . . . The day everyone dreads; you walk to your mailbox, pull out a notice from the DMV, open it, and read, “In order to renew your drivers license you must bring the attached document to the Department of Motor Vehicles on or before your license expires.” You throw the notice on the counter and say, “I’ll get to it.” One month passes by. Now it finally sinks in that you have less than two weeks to renew your license, no problem, you go online to make an appointment. ( Isn’t technology great? ) Simply say, “Hey Siri, look up the Department of Motor Vehicles,” and like magic you’ve arrived at the website to secure an appointment. Wow, that was easy! Now just click the link, provide the information required and low and ...

“Equipped with his five senses, man explores the universe around him and calls the adventure science.” Edwin Hubble, The Nature of Science, 1954 . “It’s cold out here, what are we looking for?” As an avid six-year old TV viewer my response was, “A space capsule.” No binoculars, no telescope, we naively looked to the sky thinking we would see a jet trail or something. We had watched Walter Cronkite, the anchor of CBS Evening News, broadcast the launch of Friendship 7 from Cape Canaveral on our black and white console television. It was 21 degrees Fahrenheit on February 20, 1962. The skies were clear blue as we stood outdoors in our back yard in West Central Illinois (Cuba). Shivering in the cold, my father and I were looking skyward for the Mercury capsule with John Hershel Glenn Jr. to pass overhead. The first American to orbit Earth. My Hero, America’s hero. He was a man destined to become a National Treasure.  How many other father and son duos do you suppose...

In this episode, Bonehead Questions . . . I t’s been said, “There are no stupid questions,” right . . . ? You be the judge. Here’s one, "If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?” My recent retail experience at a Home Improvement Center I've heard more than my share of stupid questions. Admittedly, all those years of teaching, I gave people the benefit of the doubt. Repeatedly, I made it clear that there were no stupid questions . As an educator, you quickly realize the link between information and applied learning is closely tied to questions and one’s self-image. But in these times of “I want it now” and “I’m the victim” that doesn’t seem to apply. Especially when it comes to dealing with the public and really cretinous questions. During my four year retail transition, I was introduced to some really stubborn and ignorant Do-It-Yourself (DIY) folks trying to save a buck that asks really boneheaded questions. You see, implementing a skill requires ...