Author Archives: Rob

You know it’s getting pretty bad when I’m watching reviews of camping equipment on the internet. Cooped up inside during the winter months makes me feel a little stir crazy. I just want to get out, away from everything, and leave pressures and stress of life behind me. I’m particularly intrigued by all the folksContinue reading “Off-Grid”

After having to buy new wheels for my car, I can tell you that I really hate potholes. Even if you don’t hit them hard enough to damage your vehicle, driving over (through?) them is mighty uncomfortable. We seem to be getting more than our fair share, and that, along with the occasional treacherous weather, has madeContinue reading “Smooth Ride”

I like to listen to music from the “Big Band” era. Those wind orchestras cranking out those classic tunes just bring a smile to my face. I used to say, “I hope they have a big band in heaven, and that there’s room for one more trombone player.” Satin Doll, Tuxedo Junction, Take the ‛A’Continue reading “The Good Ol’ Days”

A few days ago it got to be pretty treacherous in parking lots and on sidewalks. As the cold temperatures and ice descended on the city the pavement seemed to hold a nefarious secret. Even though it only appeared wet, it was actually very slick. This is what we call “black ice”—that insidious slick stuffContinue reading “Black Ice”

If you’ve been traveling you know how useful a GPS can be. (For someone reading this forty years from now, that stands for Global Positioning System.) Usually, they can get you where you need to go pretty accurately, and they’re constantly updated with road changes. Some even keep up with traffic and will offer toContinue reading “The Best from Your GPS”

I’ve been fooled before. I know that it’s well and truly winter, but suddenly an unusually warm day appears and I think, “Well, this winter won’t be so bad, after all.” Inevitably it turns out that I was mistaken, and Jack Frost shows his true colors with a vengeance. Winter, you got me again! HaveContinue reading “Fool Me Once”

We like what we know. We appreciate the familiar. I’m comfortable teaching the same classes over and over—reiterating my routine lectures, providing my stock examples—it’s so nice to stay in my little, unchanging world. But change is inescapable. Recently I’ve been teaching several brand-new classes for the first time. This is stressful to me. ChangeContinue reading “A Rolling Stone”

And the angel said to those who were standing before him, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” And to him he said, “Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments.” What a relief! When I would come home from throwing hay, I would be hot andContinue reading “New Clothes for a New Year”

I had a Jewish friend who used to say, “God is in the details.” That means that the smallest things are important. Even if they seem infinitesimally tiny and insignificant to us, they matter. Dave was talking about product quality. He reasoned that if someone cared enough to give thought to what screws or otherContinue reading “The Details”

“Peace on Earth.” We hear this a lot at this time of year. We read it on Christmas cards or decorative displays. We even sing these words in a few of our most beloved Christmas carols. But it seems that most of us don’t understand what the angels were talking about when they declared, “GloryContinue reading “Peace on Earth”