I believe every front yard could use a 70’ cedar tree. It’s grown quite tall since I moved in, and luckily, I don’t need to water or trim it. A few years back, I wrapped a long strand of colorful LED lights around it, and it quickly became a local favorite, glowing beautifully each evening for a few hours. I wish I had solar-powered lights, but oh well, you can’t have everything!

One spectacular benefit of having this tree in my yard is my very own Bird Condo is steps away from the front door. All year birds come and go; one pair of cardinals has staked their patch under the tree. Even my ever-present squirrel family doesn’t dislodge them. A few hummingbirds are back for the season; I was worried when I didn’t see them earlier; however, all is well. They zoom into the feeder and disappear into the tree branches.

When and if I ever sell my home, I’ll run an ad with this headline: “Seventy-foot high Cedar tree for sale, house included at no additional cost.”

This year our church group celebrated Shrove Tuesday with a traditional pancake supper, complete with Mardi Gras beads, masks, and King Cake. With a beautiful sunset on the horizon, we gathered to prepare for Lent, burning palms to ashes. I’ve always loved our outdoor services; this evening, it was perfect in the warmth of the setting sun.

All read my favorite Psalm, 51, as the palms were burning. Over time, I’ve read this Psalm a hundred times; it seems to call out to me just as others do. My favorite passage reads: “Create a clean heart, Oh God, and put a new and right spirit within me.” I can’t think of a more powerful message to guide me.

Recently, I had the great fortune to visit the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche in St Augustine, Florida. I hadn’t planned this visit; suddenly, I saw a beautiful garden, a statue and a cross, and this fantastic historical museum while walking along the street.

For over 450 years, this beautiful shrine with the shining silhouette of the Great Cross has graced what is called the’ sacred acre. ‘ It’s the site of the very first Mass – a heartfelt thanksgiving – held on North American soil on September 1565, 1565. Father Francisco Lopez de Gajales, who traveled with Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles, celebrated this special event as they settled what we now know as the historic city of St. Augustine.

I was completely unaware of what was happening. As we stepped into the shrine right when the doors opened, I noticed a friendly docent nearby, preparing for the day’s first tour. For nearly 30 minutes, I felt truly captivated by the story of the Spanish explorers who settled here, their history and power unfolding before me.

Having been on many docent tours, I can say that some are just okay, but this one was truly exceptional—led by someone who was passionate, knowledgeable, and brought history to life in a way that really resonated. Sometimes, unexpected moments like this come along when you least anticipate them. This was definitely one of those special times in my life, and I am incredibly grateful for the experience.

Having worked from a virtual office at home for many years, I’m quite familiar with the “work from home” experience. When I first began working remotely, companies often felt cautious; their primary concern was ensuring I remained productive throughout the day. They also had worries about things like home safety and equipment, but over time, trust and understanding grew.

Now, with zillions of folks working from home (home office or not), they only need a laptop, strong internet signals, and a video chat application. Even with this advanced technology, video chatters spend an inordinate amount of time fussing and fiddling with connections, audio, video, and who can’t sign in. Not long ago, I was on a call with people in 3 cities in the US and 2 cities in France (our US team didn’t speak French). We didn’t accomplish a single thing on that call.

In my first home office, I had everything anyone would need to work efficiently. Early on, I didn’t have computers or laptops. However, the three Kings of Communication were my fax machine, HP printer, and trusty IBM typewriter. I’ll hold out on video calls for as long as I can since Zooming is here to stay.; I guess I’ll have to look for a new fax machine to be competitive.

Last September, my beautiful great-granddaughter Olivia was born. Of course, everyone in our family instantly loves her, and I am bombarded with pictures of her progress and activities. For my birthday in December, my youngest daughter (Olivia’s grandma) gifted me an Aura digital photo frame. It’s one of the best gifts I have ever received, and I now have nearly instant pictures of Olivia’s progress. It’s fantastic.

Now, our senior family members needed a name for her to eventually call us. The range of names went from cute to questionable. Olivia’s mom has always referred to me as a super grandpa. So wait for it – that’s what Olivia will eventually call me. I really have ascended to Superstar status.

One of the real perks of getting older is discovering what you’re willing to live with—and what you’re not. As you age, the desire to accumulate more ‘stuff’ tends to fade, and instead, your focus shifts to what’s truly meaningful in life. Soon, you’ll start realizing just how precious friends are and how truly irreplaceable they can be. I’ve heard many people say they’ve friends everywhere, suggesting there’s an endless circle of familiar faces wherever they go to welcome them. But in my heart, I believe it’s not about how many people you consider friends—it’s about those who really matter to you the most.

I can count my true friends on two hands, maybe even just one. These are special people I’ve known for decades—they are the ones I know I can always rely on. More importantly, they are dear friends, no matter how far apart we are or how much time passes. I truly cherish each and every one of them. A few years ago, I was watching a Seinfeld episode where a pool attendant, who didn’t know Jerry very well, asked if he could be his best friend. Jerry hesitated and said, “Sorry, I don’t need any more friends.” I totally understand what he meant by that.

I watched the hummingbirds at the feeder a little while ago and thought it won’t be long before they head to their winter home. Right now, they are eating more and more to get ready for their long journey. It’s rare for more than one to eat at a time; however, at one point, three of them were divebombing each other for a place at the feeder.

It’s hard to imagine their trip; they lift off in the East Tennessee sky and head to Mexico and Central America. I read it takes about 40 hours of flying, at an average of 30 MPH, for them to reach the Mexican border, some 1,178 miles away.

Some of them fly 500 miles non-stop in about 20 hours. Even more incredibly, in their spring migration, they’ll remember exactly where my feeder is when they return, and I’ll most likely see them again. I’ll leave the welcome mat out for you.

Some time ago, I completed a series of 44 radiation treatments; I’d never, ever, been subject to a round of treatment like this. I was scared of the process, the actual treatment, and, of course, how I’d feel during this journey. Had I known two critical things, I wouldn’t have worried for one moment. The first is the passage in Isaiah 41.10, which reads in part: Fear not, for I am with you. The second is that I had a personal army of angels who cared for me on each of the 44 days.

From the moment I stepped into the clinic until my final treatment, my team made me feel truly cared for—they are like angels with how naturally they handle everything and how they understand patient reactions. Honestly, nothing could have prepared me for just how extraordinary they are. Each member has become a part of my extended family, and I can’t imagine what I would do without all of you.

In December of 2006, I visited a local dealer and bought this 2007 Ford Escape. It came with a sunroof, gorgeous leather seats, and the strength and power to feel like my very own Magic Carpet. This vehicle was truly spectacular. Over the course of 17 years, we traveled everywhere together — a total of 250,883 miles.

What an incredible travel companion! We experienced every kind of weather, faced traffic jams, burned through countless gallons of gasoline, and made endless pit stops along the way. Every day, we hear the refrain “they don’t build them like they used to”. I’m here to tell you this was a perfect partner. Boy, do I miss this car.

As a kid, watching the movie “The World of Suzy Wong” in San Francisco was a magical experience for me. It took me to a place I had never dreamed of—Hong Kong. Just hearing the name of the city made me smile One of the most unforgettable moments in the film was when the scene was set on the famous Star Ferry called “Twinkling Star.” I loved that name and often daydreamed about what it would be like to be riding that ferry.

Fast forward many years, and what do you know?

One day I was standing at the Star Ferry Terminal in Hong Kong, waiting to board that ferry for the first time. The ride offers up one of the great bargains in the world, especially if you opt to ride in second class, which is on the main deck. Occasionally I’d splurge and go first class on the top deck, but that wasn’t where Suzy (and Bill Holden) rode, so neither would I.

I lived in Hong Kong with my family for four years and, over that time, had ample opportunity to ride the many Star Ferries back and forth. I’d often wait for the next one if it happened to be “Twinkling Star.” My daughters thought I was nuts, but in time, they also understood my quirks (one of many, I assure you.) Who knew how much that movie would affect my life?