On The Fly

Podcast - Save the Museum . . . You may have heard by now that the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum in San Diego, CA. is closing? What can you do to help? Join the grassroots effort! Sign the Petition. After more than 20 years of sharing the legacy and history of Marine Corps Aviation with local citizens and countless visitors to San Diego, California, the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum is scheduled to be permanently closed on March 31, 2021. The Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum shares Marine Corps Aviation history with visitors from around the world. Visitors come for different reasons. Parents bring their children to see amazing aircraft and to hear stories of the brave men and women who maintained and flew these aircraft. Veterans come to see the aircraft that saved their lives. And still, others come to pay their respects to the aviators who served to protect our great nation. Nevertheless, the leadership at Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC) has decided to close the Museum...

In this episode - An American . . . "We will lead not merely by the example of our power but by the power of our example." U.S. President, Joe Biden Are you an American? Unlike many of you, my mother and I immigrated to the United States as French Citizens. We were considered Aliens ! How do I know that? Easy, every year we were required to go to our local Post Office and complete an Alien Registration Form. Growing up in a small Midwestern town, like you, my formative school years were devoted to reading, writing, and arithmetic AND learning to speak English.  Also, I vividly remember each morning reciting; "I Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America . . ." As a Cub Scout, we also recited the scout motto; "A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent." Little did I realize at that time how those time-honored words and traditions would affect my work ethic, my character, my v...

Podcast - A Ballpark Visit . . . “Are the Tigers playing at home?” As an avid baseball fan, a question I’ve asked many times during my Alumni travels preparing to visit Detroit, MI. However, this time I found that question printed in a tattered, yellowing,  newspaper clipping from the Detroit Free Press dated Saturday, September 25, 1948, carefully tucked away in a scrapbook. The ball-club was and two young boys realized a dream, I can only imagine what that was like . . . Let me get you up to speed. While going through a box of old files from Lori’s father I came across an article titled  Youth’s First City Visit . A piece co-authored by 15-year-old Gerald (Jerry) Davies from the farming community of Marlette, Michigan about his experiences visiting Detroit. The photo journal and article was a promotion sponsored by The Detroit Free Press as a student exchange. Gerald Davies from Marlette MI would meet his namesake Jerry Davies from Detroit, together they would visit and work...

In this episode - Just the Way You Are . . . “Childhood lies at the very heart of who we are and who we become.” Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers) What are you feeling this New Year 2021? Who are you? Do you feel hopeful, joyful, optimistic, or with the recent news events are you cynical, feeling scared, and ill-prepared for what’s to come?” That’s OK , “I like you just the way you are.” - Mr. Rogers “It’s a beautiful day in this neighborhood, A beautiful day for a neighbor . . .” I’ll admit in 1969 whenever I heard that song I would jump up from the couch and change the channel on the television. In my kid world, there were more important things to watch on television . . . Batman, Superman, Gilligan’s Island, I Dream of Jeannie, Bonanza, The Rifleman, to name a few. Watch Mr. Rogers Neighborhood, that’s a little kids show - “No way, I’m too old for that.” Huh, was I really? However, until recently, while recording poems and stories for this Podcast I began to wonder, “What type of stories...

In this episode - Christmas-Eve with Dad . . . We all have special memories with our Dads at Christmas. Here’s one of mine. While preparing Podcasts for this Holiday season, I was reminded of this treasured memory—enjoy! As I entered Joe’s Hardware in Fallbrook, California, I was surprised to see a display of W. R. Case and Sons Cutlery Co. knives. This transported me back to Marshall’s TrueValue Hardware store, on the square in Cuba, Illinois . . .   You see, just inside the front door, to your left, was an extraordinary display of Case knives. I always had to stop and look at the wide selection, thinking - Someday I’ll be old enough to buy myself one . Why Case? Well, because that’s what Dad always carried. You see, my Dad was a traditional outdoorsman. A hunter. He loved to hunt; rabbits, squirrels, pheasants, raccoons (coons), and whatever was in season. His spare time was spent in the woods hunting or on a river fishing with his children. No, not just for sport. It supplemente...

In this episode - Christmas-Eve Day . . . When was the last time your neighbors surprised you? Ours did this past weekend. One young family who passes by our home every day around 5:00 p.m. came to our door, dressed in red, (the little guy peeked in our window) holding a tray of Christmas treats. “You did get Snoopy up for the Holidays, we love Snoopy, thank you.” “Merry Christmas,” he said while extending his platter wrapped in foil. This reminded me of a Holiday poem we recorded to share with our family. We want to share it with you - enjoy. Christmas-Eve Day . . . “Twas the day before Christmas," and all through our house, The kitties were stirring, in search of their mouse. With Missy on guard, and Junior prowling ‘round. We were watching TV, not making a sound.   The stockings were hung on the mantel with care, In hopes that Junior would not go on a tear. Filled with ornaments and lights, to brighten the season, Our house was all warmed . . . 'gainst the chill was the rea...

Podcast - Christmas Online . . . Time flies! We’re already into November, Thanksgiving just five days away! Black Friday - a thing of the past, at least this year with the COVID pandemic still a reality. Now it's ALL about Online shopping. Including cherished TV specials that have always aired free on broadcast television. For example, did you know that a Charlie Brown Christmas will only be available on Apple TV+ streaming service this year? In 2018 Apple purchased the rights to the Charles M. Schultz Peanuts specials. Update: 12/4/2020 - Watch it live on Sunday, December 13, at 7:30/6:30c on PBS and PBS KIDS. Still, “Christmas - is - just around the corner.” As a youngster - just around the corner - meant Main Street on the square; Marshall’s Hardware, climb the stairs to Santa Land. My brothers and I would take a walk to town to check out all the toys we wanted Santa to bring. Day-and-Palin’s had the only Christmas tree lot that I remember in our small town. Wai...

In this episode, Fishing for an Idea . . .   “He was an old man who fished alone in a skiff in the Gulf Stream and he had gone for eighty-four days now without taking a fish.” No, no, this is not the Gulf it's the Au Sable River .   . . . Smell - the crisp scent of the northern pines. Focus - this is your enlightened creative self-expression talking. Place your inspired future front and center in your life. Listen - can you hear the soft gurgling sound of running water? Cast your fly-rod into that swirling pool. There’s an idea there. Wake-up! Your eyelids flicker then instantly your eyes pop open. The clock on the dresser says 4:00 a.m. In a semi-consciousness state, you stumble out of bed. You make your way, in the dark, to that little room where the world has absolved you of all obligations to communicate with another human being. Privacy. Face-it, we all do it - scattered thoughts as we talk to ourselves in our minds, especially when we’re dreaming. Well, now that you're u...