I think about this story throughout the year; not just at the end of the year.  It’s the tale of a memorable Christmas present I once received. I am a member of the Pittsburgh Major Taylor Cycling Club.  Marshall “Major”... Read More

December 12, 2023 December 12th should already be a holiday.  It’s Frank Sinatra’s birthday.  But the day will now become an actual holiday—one that Hallmark will not make cards for.   This year—and every year thereafter—December 12th will be known as... Read More

What’s wrong with this picture? The data for this chart comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm) and NCHS (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2018). The knowledge behind the reasons why the chart looks the way it does... Read More

I’ve owned a 2-door, 5- or 6-speed Jeep Wrangler for 32% of my life.  I had the privilege of driving two green Jeeps.  I sold the second one a few months ago.  Enough time has passed.  I can now write... Read More

Sounds odd to say that a place of higher learning will not teach you how to write. But it’s the truth.  The reasons why include the structure of college and the fact that college teachers are not doing the most... Read More

The riddle—and the answer—was given to me by a friend who knows of my interest in nutrition.  The answer supplied to me was, “Because the 10th teaspoon of sugar wouldn’t dissolve in the water.”  That is an interesting answer—but it... Read More

Vermeer’s The Concert (c. 1664) was stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum on March 18, 1990—along with 12 other pieces of art, including three works by Rembrandt.  The heist is known for the Vermeer painting that was taken.  If... Read More

The word is pronounced “Ick—ee—guy”.  The blend diagram has the key word in the middle and our life’s work, loves, passions, volunteer time and inherent mission orbiting around it.   I think we all have an Ikigai blend diagram in our... Read More

“Without ambition one starts nothing.  Without work one finishes nothing.  The prize will not be sent to you.  You have to win it.”    Ralph Waldo Emerson Ambition.  Some of us don’t have it and some of us have too much... Read More

Is the local museum housing stolen art? I’m going to answer the tease at the beginning instead of at the end.  The answer is “No.”  At least as it applies to the painting this essay is about.  There may be... Read More