They were back again last night, in my mind, bouncing around at 2am. The three main characters in my first novel I am finally going to write. A daily blog has helped silence them mostly… until I can free them in Michigan. But last night, they were back, noisy as ever. And then it hit…
T -42 Days: First attempt story
An old friend sent me this suggestion for something I should try next year. I laughed hard. It would take me a lot more than a year to be able participate in something like this. My first goal is to be able to hike over the dunes. But my friend has been doing these for…
T -43 Days: Drone sunset
Drone’s Eye View From my daughter’s apartment on the edge of the dunes, taking a drone straight up. Look closely, you can see the apartment buildings, the dunes, and a stunning sunset over Lake Michigan. Coming back to work today was painful. Most of a week in heaven, and then back to… well, not hell,…
T -44 Days: In the flow
In the flow Watching my Purdue Boilermakers claw their way into the Sweet 16 in the NCAA basketball tournament today, I thought of their seniors, getting to play at least one more game, hopefully more. The pull to keep playing after this March will be fierce… even if it is in some European league far…
T -45 Days: Close Encounters
Close Encounters Remember this blockbuster Steven Spielberg science fiction movie from the 1970’s? People from all walks of life were inexplicably drawn to one particular spot in the US. The aliens were coming! I had a flashback to this scene as my wife kept walking down the pier towards the lighthouse and setting sun over…
T -46 Days: Butterflies
Dive Bombing Butterflies It was 85 degrees today in Grand Rapids… at least where we visited. The butterflies loved my hippie daughter’s boots. IMG_8012 So much to do in the area, with all the artists, live music, events everywhere. No offense to Iowa, but regardless of what some Iowan’s think… Michigan is much hotter. Looking…
T -47 Days: Red warning light
Red Warning Light An expensive day. We locked down our apartment… I’d say modest two bedroom… but actually more than the mortgage on our house. We opted for first floor, walk out patio to the pond, and a garage. Long time readers of the blog know the garage will be the home of my wife’s…
T -48 Days: Cold state park
With the Grand Haven State Park parking lot drifted over and closed down, we hiked in the wind and cold (35 degrees, felt like 23 in the wind) for what seemed like forever. Of course I only had my Purdue sweatshirt. Until… success, our first Michigan sunset of 2018. Then we realized there was a…
T -49 Days: Money that matters
At the break of dawn, we are off to Michigan again. Locking down the perfect modest two bedroom, 1100 square foot apartment not far from the beach. Will come back for a few weeks of work, then moving to Michigan in a little more than a month… with or without the house being sold. A…
T -50 Days: Ten mistakes of a terrible manager
Sometimes you read something that absolutely should be shared with everyone. The teaser… Many managers lack fundamental training in managing people. But, even more importantly, managers lack the values, sensitivity, and awareness needed to interact effectively all day long with people. Skills and techniques are easier to teach, but values, beliefs, and attitudes are much…