Observing Life
Fruit of the Vine
Pedaling out of Naples, New York at the southern point of Canandaigua Lake, the group pace is brisk. The skies are grey and a cool autumn breeze brushes wisps of fog along the lake. As we climb a hill, a luscious aroma captures us. Bordering each side of the road, like purplish-blue curtains, are vineyards [...]
How To Survive A Bike Ride
Michelle Kazlausky was half way through the 102 mile Pelotonia Bicycle Tour between Columbus and Athens, Ohio. Friends said Michelle spent months preparing for the ride and raising funds for the Livestrong Cancer Research Foundation. As a state patrolman signaled her through an intersection, a pick-up truck failed to stop and slammed into her. Michelle [...]
Don’t Let The Bed Bugs Bite
For thousands of nights as children, my parents chanted this singsong poem as we went to sleep, “Good night, sleep tight, and don’t let the bed bugs bite.” One of us normally giggled, “What’s a bed bug?” For all of these decades it remained a mystery – until last week.
A Fudgsicle Philosophy
Everything I needed to know about business, and much of my knowledge of life, came by pedaling a steel ice cream cart through the hot and muggy streets of my hometown.
Death by Food
It was surprising to read that 5,000 Americans die each year due to food poisoning. This more than the total number of American soldiers lost in Afghanistan and Iraq since October, 2001. Another 325,000 are hospitalized do to food. What is most astonishing is how easily most U.S. citizens accept 13 deaths by food each [...]
Squeeze Them Apples
The shores of Lake Ontario are ideal for fruit. The soil, moist breeze, and moderate temperatures yield truckloads of grapes, pears, and apples. In fact New York is second to the State of Washington in apple production, and our local Wayne County is the biggest contributor. When a fruit farmers gaze over their orchards, concerns [...]
When Cupid Visits the Office
The office is an environment that sometimes invites romance. Joint pressures, close quarters, travel, and many shared hours may stir the love potions. Recently we learned that one of the most successful American CEO’s, Mark Hurd of Hewlett Packard, was publically bounced out the door on the eve of a $100 million contract renewal. A [...]
New Horizons Rocks
Your best is good enough!
Memorial Day In Hornell, NY
Like hundreds of communities, Hornell, New York will celebrate Memorial Day with a parade and veteran ceremonies. The event in this Southern Tier village is a bit more personal for the town’s people. It is the first Memorial Day since Zach Smith died in Afghanistan.
A Senior Moment
At the local YMCA I observed a magical senior moment. Rather than sermonize or over-analyzing it, allow me to describe it with the hope all of us will follow the same path. An elderly gentleman approached the front desk in a dripping bathing suit. He needed help. Embarrassed, his eyes stared at his wet toes [...]
