Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
This past weekend our lovely Queens City of Charlotte had a close encounter with winter. Being a nominally “southern city,” this is not the place people expect to see snow. As a matter of record, Winnie and I chose to retire here partially based on believing we’d see less wintery stuff than in Woodbridge, Virginia.
However, snow has now come to Charlotte. It’s not nearly as exciting as that may sound.
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Being an officially a retired person conferrs a lot of free time. Which means I no longer have excuses reasons for not doing a lot of projects I’ve been putting off for, well, most of my adult life.
One particular project is building my home workshop. After fits and starts and early iterations in previous homes I’ve lived in, I’m finally building my dream workshop.
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
Today is another Christmas. A day that rolls around once each year to remind us of peace and joy and goodwill to all mankind. Also another day to gather with family and friends to exchange gifts, eat, drink, and have lots of family fights… No scratch that “family fights” stuff…
Anyway, since I’m still not feeling inspired to write much, I thought to share a bit of Christmas holiday music from one of my favorite groups.
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
I’ve been in a state of transition over these past several months since retirement. One result has been my complete inability to write anything in this humble blog. Not because there’s nothing going on, but because there’s too much. These times overwhelm me with the relentless pounding of the good, the bad, and the ugly.
So, in an effort to break out of my writer’s block I’ve decided to reflect with a bit of music for these times.
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
And so, it finally happened. After over a year of false starts and running up a down escalator. Last week, Friday August 29, my office held a small but pleasant retirement ceremony for me, then I was gone.
I am now officially retired from full time work and back home in Charlotte. I guess, let the fun begin?
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
“To be in public office right now is to constantly ask yourself, how do I make sure that we’re standing on the right side of history? There’s a simple answer. The wrong side of history will always tell you to be afraid. The right side of history will always expect you to be courageous. Expect courage from people around you, and it will show up. Expect fear, and fear will rule the day. “
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker
Today we have new profiles in courage in opposing the Trump regime.
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
I am officially in the home stretch to my second retirement. While these past several months have felt like I’m running up a down escalator, I’m still plugging. And the clock keeps ticking, as clocks always do.
With an official retirement date of August 31, I can see light at the end of this tunnel – and it’s not a train.
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
I’ve written a number of posts on immigration during the twenty years of this humble blog’s existence. All four of my grandparents are immigrants. Several of my aunts, uncles, and cousins are naturalized American citizens. Both my first (ex-) and present wife are immigrants and naturalized American citizens. Most of our family friends are immigrants that I’ve met through my wife.
I happen to believe the best thing about America is how, throughout our history, we have been able to accept and assimilate people from many different cultures and make them “Americans.” My beliefs appear to now put me into complete opposition to the current monstrosity of our federal government.
I’m good with being on the side of people coming to America.
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Over the years I’ve lived in the Washington D.C. metro area (“DC”), I’ve tried various techniques for commuting. All these techniques have been focused on making the best of a truly sucky situation. The best technique was, of course remote work and just not commuting at all. But, since the end of March I no longer have that option.
So, my latest and probably last pre-retirement commuting technique involves commuter trains and bicycles. Call it “alternate commuting for this modern age.”
Sympathy for the Farmers?
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
I recently answered another Quora question that has received pretty strong positive response. This question related to farmers who are now facing foreclosures and loss of their farms due to Trumpian policies. The kicker, of course, is that Trump swept most rural communities in his 2024 election victory.
My answer is pretty harsh against a community of professionals I once had great respect for. Such is the life in Trump’s America.
Opinions & Commentary Quora Re-Posts
Family Farmers quora trump