“It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.” ~ opening line of George Orwell’s book 1984 This line seems innocuous enough, but you immediately know something is wrong with the world. As a writer, I recognize this is done to drive the reader to
In the opening scene of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the witches gather around a cauldron making a potion and chanting, “Double, double toil and trouble; fire burn and cauldron bubble.” Well, let me tell you that a bubble’s famous last words are always, “I’ll be back!” The Fed is in an unenviable
Every 4th of July, the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia is tapped (not actually rung) 13 times in honor of the original 13 colonies. Cheers to you and Happy Independence Day – may your day be filled with beer, hot dogs, family, and friends. Two years ago in the early months
They used to use urine to tan animal skins, so families used to all pee in a pot, and then once a day it was taken and sold to the tannery. If you had to do this to survive you were “piss poor.” But worse than that were the really
Even giving my two cents worth each month is shrinking! Mike Tyson is famous for once saying, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.” I wonder what his seatmate’s plan was when he repeatedly insulted the former world boxing champion on a recent flight? My parents
“The point to remember is that what the government gives, it must first take away.” ~ John S. Coleman Although the quote above is both funny and true, it is not entirely accurate. If taxing was the only way our government paid for things, our taxes would be much higher.
In June of 1812, Napoleon with all of his generals plotting to invade Russia was strategy. Getting half a million soldiers to march into Russia was culture! In a recent interview, a glass half full of water was placed in front of me. I was asked if I was a
He was a lowly intern in Philadelphia picking up dry cleaning or fast food for coaches… He was promoted to a coach’s assistant for a few years and then a scout for a few more. A decade later in Kansas City, he was mesmerized by a player on video no
Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you’re a mile away and you have their shoes. It’s weird out there, folks! Perhaps you have felt it yourself, your emotions at war with your better nature. A surge of anger
For me, the holidays are a time of reflection upon the year passed and intentions for the year to come, and especially thankfulness for the gifts in life for which I am most grateful. Early in my career, I thought passion was everything. I used to grill clients and brokers
Back in the day they cooked in the kitchen with a big pot that hung over the fire. Sometimes they would obtain pork, which made
