On The Fly

Podcast - Meet Methuselah . . . Yes, tonight is Halloween. You were expecting me in a costume as a 969-year-old man? Sorry, this Methuselah is much older. It was day two hiking the Eastern Sierras. Our 27th year wedding anniversary getaway. We had decided to explore the Sierras with Bishop, CA. as our home base. Examining our map, Lori mentioned, “Here’s something we should see. It's the four-mile Methuselah Walk of the ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest near Big Pine, CA.”  So we were up early the next morning, raring to go. With directions in hand. Make your way to Big Pine, CA. on Route 395. Turn onto Route 168. Then wind your way slowly up-down, with hairpin switchbacks, and spectacular views with elevation gains from 3,980 feet to over 10,000 feet to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Visitors Center. Heed this warning - the map that says, plan on at least a one hour drive once you leave Route 395 at Big Pine don’t doubt it, it’s slow going. My suggestion, plan ahead. The intrepid hik...

Podcast - Chatter . . . Just the other day - well, what seems like the other day, Lori brought home a pristine copy of  The Readers Digest  from December 1966 (35 cents). The cover is exactly as I remember it, a summary outline of the articles with the corresponding page numbers. This issue boasts 45 th  Year: Over 27 million copies bought monthly in 14 languages.  That was over 54 years ago! How she acquired this heirloom is interesting. The Paul Ecke family was featured in an article titled Crimson for Christmas . Paul Ecke III came across boxes of this particular issue that he distributed to employees of the Paul Ecke Ranch. The trifold cover page featured an ad from Ford, “Mustang 1967 . . . bred first to be first!” With the slogan, “Just in time for Christmas . . . the do-it-Yourself Escape Kit!” What’s interesting is the First Class Business Reply Postage Paid subscription card in the centerfold reads, “One new Digest gift subscription ONLY $2.” Yes, in 2020 yo...

In this episode - Possibility Thinking . . . Dateline - November 22, 1987. “Doctor Schuller, Lori, and I have decided to marry and I’m wondering what’s the “Possibility” of you performing our ceremony?” With a broad smile, Dr. Robert H. Schuller winked at me and said, “It’s a very good possibility. However, my schedule is rather busy, so  you will need to contact my secretary to make the arrangements.” So, the next day, Lori called. “What date are you considering?” She asked. “October 22nd, next year, possibly a morning ceremony.” “I’m afraid he’s out of town that day. The earliest he is available is 6:00 pm.” “That’s fine, we can work with that.” After confirmation with Dr. Schuller’s secretary, Lori called the events manager for weddings the following day. “Who is your Pastor?” “Doctor Schuller.” With a professional demeanor, but apparent disbelief in her voice, “You do know Dr. Schuller does not perform wedding ceremonies anymore? Also, our time slots for weddings and recep...

In this episode - Misfits at Halloween . . . It’s autumn, and Halloween is approaching - how do you capture the experience, the smells, the rustling sounds of multicolored falling leaves, the quiet, peaceful feeling, the solitude of life in a small town? News flash, I’m here to tell you it’s not always as tranquil as sentimental storytellers like to depict it. Admittedly, like all agrarian communities, Cuba had its pranksters. Thankfully, though, in our small, rural farming community of the late 1960s and early 70s, I’m happy to report there was no teen violence, no gang shootings, and no serious vandalism. Well, ok, we did torment the local policeman, who we dubbed Barney Fife (I don’t remember his name). In the fall, most families would have harvested their gardens by Halloween, but inevitably, there would be leftovers. A group of us would hide behind Jim Welch’s garden fence on Main Street and hurl the leftover, soft, rotten tomatoes at Barney’s squad car as he patrolled the town. F...

Podcast- Detentions . . . Nod your head if you remember the “punishment” of being kept after school - A  Detention . Punishment? I’m inclined to say the kids in our school thought detention was a joke. Let me give you a couple of examples, stick with me. My graduating class of 1974 (grades 1-12) attended school in three different buildings.  First, it was Cuba Elementary, a design that followed the era’s more modern, one-story, flat-roof design aesthetic. Here we attended grades one - six. No kindergarten when I started school. Then we transitioned to the old High School building on Main Street, built-in 1913.   A three-story brick design similar to Jefferson High school from the TV sitcom Happy Days .   And finally, our new building which I believe opened in 1970, connected, to the old one, via the Gymnasium and Cafeteria. It was a grand achievement when we finally  graduated  to the 7th grade, Jr. High on Main Street. This was our first introduction...

In this episode, Small Town Life . . . With this Bonus segment, I want to address a recent comment, from a listener, posted on my Blog - On The Fly. It was this,   " Please tell of your favorite moments growing up in Cuba, Illinois.” That’s a great question. Hmmm, maybe we could make this a series . . . First, let me say this, it was 1985 when I moved to California to pursue a completely transformed life as a gemologist, and  educator. My blog posts over the years have focused on memories from my youth growing up in that small Midwestern town. A few examples are: The Barber Shoppe Memories or Tradition Twinkies and 7up My Country Doctor Those documented memories are the synthesis of many years of listening to motivational tapes, Podcasts and reading books that trigger these special memories and allow me to embellish them as a writer. So, let’s just jump right into a couple of my favorite moments not documented. During my Jr. High years, one of my most treasured experiences was...

Podcast - Special Shoes . . . Look down at your feet, right now. What do you see? Are you wearing shoes? You might be wearing slippers, flip flops, running shoes, supple leather dress shoes, or your most comfortable everyday shoes? I’m looking at a pair of brown, soft suede leather, around-town walking shoes. My go-to, most comfortable shoes. As I was putting on my old faithful, everyday shoes to run errands a thought flashed into my mind. “When your shoes wear out you’re simply back on your feet” - right where it all started. It’s said, “A journey of a thousand leagues begins with a single step.” That quote is attributed to Lao-tzu, the ancient Chinese philosopher who wrote the Tao Te Ching, born 604 B.C. Imagine how worn his sandals must have been? But what about today? Your personal journey begins with a single step every day. Just how many pairs of shoes are in your closet, or under the bed? More than you think, I’m sure of it. I see you running off to count them, haha. Where will...

Podcast  – Common Sense . . . It was Voltaire who said, “Common sense is not so common.” Welcome to Labor Day weekend. With this pandemic still around us and businesses beginning to open up, please exercise your best judgment when going out. I’ve been holding on to this segment that appeared in The London Times on Common Sense for most of the summer. Here’s what it said; Today, we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: Knowing when to come in out of the rain; Why the early bird gets the worm; Life isn't always fair, and Maybe it was my fault. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge). His health began to deteriorate ra...