I was debating whether to write this post, but I’m going to follow my gut and share this commentary because it reflects what is happening in this country. If people are not discerning about what leaders are saying, their words can continue to lead us into dangerous territory. This is somewhat of a Christian commentary, … Continue reading How Labels Undermine Faith and Fracture Community
Book Review: The Hardest Job in the World – The American Presidency
Photo by Ed Ortiz It’s interesting to learn how the office of the president of the United States came to be and how it has changed over time, mostly due to Congress’s neglect. I have been reading about the Founding Fathers and the important documents they produced that have guided this country. So when I … Continue reading Book Review: The Hardest Job in the World – The American Presidency
A Year of Reading with Community and Purpose
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday with your family, loved ones, and friends. Mine was peaceful and quiet, and I did a lot of reading, but I also found 12 hours to watch the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) documentary The American Revolution by Ken Burns. If you are in the United States and … Continue reading A Year of Reading with Community and Purpose
What’s in the 2025 U.S. National Security Strategy—and Why Everybody Is Talking About It
My last post ended with the following question: “Does the new National Security Strategy mention anything about Russia and investing more resources in Alaska?” After reading the new U.S. National Security Strategy (NSS) a few times, I can tell you that Russia is mentioned about 10 times, mainly in reference to how Europe needs to … Continue reading What’s in the 2025 U.S. National Security Strategy—and Why Everybody Is Talking About It
Alaska or Greenland? Why America Is Looking in the Wrong Direction
There was a lot of talk not too long ago about Greenland and whether the United States should take over that country and make it the 51st state of the nation. The U.S. has a robust military presence there, and this is not the first time our country has tried to acquire Greenland. In 1946, … Continue reading Alaska or Greenland? Why America Is Looking in the Wrong Direction
The Relationship Recession and the Rise of Singlehood
There is a trend lately of offering money to women to have babies as a way to solve the declining natality rate. After decades of maltreatment against women at home and in the workplace, schemes like offering money—ideas mostly proposed by men—will not solve anything. I don’t know about you, but if I were a … Continue reading The Relationship Recession and the Rise of Singlehood
“Third World” Is Outdated—and Dangerous: It’s Time to Change How We Speak
Over the Thanksgiving holiday, I heard the term “Third World” quite a lot. I think this is one of those expressions that needs to be erased from our vocabulary, since there is only one world, and all countries belong to it. Using that term promotes discrimination and disdain toward people living in countries with fewer … Continue reading “Third World” Is Outdated—and Dangerous: It’s Time to Change How We Speak
A Thanksgiving Reminder: Give, Be Present, Love Deeply
"You only have what you give. It's by spending yourself that you become rich.” - Isabel Allende This Thursday we celebrate Thanksgiving in the United States, and I know that other countries celebrate a day of thanksgiving at various times throughout the year. Thanksgiving Day in the United States is a day to be thankful … Continue reading A Thanksgiving Reminder: Give, Be Present, Love Deeply
The Dark Chocolate Myth
Most of you who read my "About Me” page know that I have a degree in Chemistry. I didn’t pursue Chemistry as a profession in the Army because they don’t do the kind of Chemistry I was used to—laboratory work, scientific experimentation, etc. Later in my career, I thought about transferring to an area of … Continue reading The Dark Chocolate Myth
When a Story Finally Finds Its Moment
I read an article this weekend in The Wall Street Journal and immediately thought about all my writer friends in my WordPress community. It’s a story of never giving up and of writing without worrying where your words will land. Maybe one day your book will be discovered and become a hit—but the writing journey … Continue reading When a Story Finally Finds Its Moment