Where do you fall? I’m going to sidestep—for the most part—a discussion of politics here. I like to write about American history and culture, the focus of my historical fiction novels as well. So stay with me as I take a look at something called The Dignity Index, a tool that claims to measure [...]

“B-12... I-26...G-53...N-71...” Military coordinates? A coded radio transmission? A secret message? Nope. Just four little calls that, for generations of Americans, meant someone was one number closer to blurting out, “Bingo!” While millions of Americans are connected to the world from the back rooms of their homes—followed by online “friends” yet lonely for genuine [...]

The dangers of Donald Trump versus Democratic Socialists of America. The word democracy is being thrown around a lot these days. Many prominent political leaders and commentators have described President Trump as “an existential threat to democracy.” Among them: “Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans represent an extremism that threatens [...]

The answer is easy, really. The digital keyboard. But I’m getting ahead of myself. I used to write out everything in cursive. My bluebook essay tests at community college. The stories I’d file at the San Diego weekly newspaper—my first journalism job after college. The early love letters I wrote to Karen. The draft [...]

When Karen and I bought our second house in Van Nuys, California, back in 1978, the neighborhood threw a block party. No, it wasn’t because we’d moved in. Our neighbors just wanted to hang out together. Wow! That surprised us. A similar party followed a few months later. The city gave us permission to [...]

Five lessons on aging with purpose: Part 2“Grow old with me, the best is yet to be.” - Robert Browning“Old age is like climbing a mountain; you get a little out of breath, but the view is much better.” - Ingrid BergmanSo many wise prescriptions out there on how to age gracefully.For nearly 20 percent [...]

On aging…Part 1 Growing old gracefully. No easy task, but manageable—dare I say it, even joyful. At least up to this point. I turned __ on July 4. One of my old mates from High School wished me a happy birthday with a couple of pics from way back. I’ve included them at the [...]

Looking for a good, clean movie with strong production values—one that teaches a little-known chapter of American history? Such movies are hard to come by these days. Well…add A Great Awakening to your watch list on Amazon. My pal Tom, with whom I share a deep love of American history, told me how it [...]

What did our Founding Fathers think? In my last three stacks, I’ve been asking for us to consider whether certain critical events in the Revolutionary War were facts, fictions, or miracles. I think it’s safe to say that the prevailing view among many of America’s Revolutionary leaders was that Providence had intervened on behalf of [...]

“…a sudden rise of the waters…” This July 4th, I’ll do as I always do on my birthday. Watch Mel Gibson’s movie, The Patriot. Somehow, I never tire of that film. Gibson shows us a scene loosely based on the Battle of Cowpens, Jan. 17, 1781, where the American militia faces the advancing forces [...]