Ray and I are at LAX waiting for our delayed flight to Salt Lake. I am sitting next to two IRS agents who are deeply engaged in a conversation about their work. One clearly has more experience than the other and is offering some advice. One heartening line I just overheard is, “Always give the…
Reflection on “Be Here Now”
“This is the real secret of life — to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now. And instead of calling it work, realize it is play.” -Alan W. Watts I believe this quote from Alan W. Watts is the absolute truth. The operative words are “engaged,” “here and now,”…
Moving Ahead
I have just arrived home (10:45 pm) after going with Rachael to meet a potential apartment-mate in Orange County. This would be a place where Rachael could settle in when she begins law school in August at Chapman University in Orange. The young woman was lovely. She and Rachael could be sisters they look so…
A Kindness Extended to My SLC Family
I am so touched I just want to cry right now. My relatives in Salt Lake City (who are not church goers) went at my urging to St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral in downtown SLC today to talk about a funeral for my brother-in-law, E. Ray. He was a former Mormon who converted to the Episcopal…
My Father’s Advice
My father taught me a few basic truths about life. Here is a limited list of them in no order of importance: 1) Care about people and they will care about you. 2) Make friends one person at a time, which means individual relationships are more meaningful than group relationships. 3) Family is central. 4) Don’t…
Ray Agutter In Action
Here is a picture of my brother-in-law, Ray Agutter (in the khaki colored suit), aka “E. Ray” at Sarah and Gregorio’s wedding reception a couple of years ago. This picture encapsulates E. Ray’s fun-living spirit as he dances the night away while surrounded by family and friends who love him. Never mind that Ray had…
Good-bye, Sweet Friend
I am sad to say that my beloved brother-in-law, Ray Agutter, my sister Leslie’s ex-husband, died today. Ray was one of those rare people who truly lived a joy-filled life. I have never met another human being who was more positive or more kind than Ray. He had challenges that he faced, but he shifted…
5 Star Orange Cookie Recipe
The recipe below is one that I shared a couple of years ago, but it’s so good it is well worth repeating. These cookies are delicately flavored and not overly sweet. They are very nice with tea. This recipe is adapted from Rodale’s Naturally Delicious Desserts and Snacks by Faye Martin. In my opinion, this…
Our Day Recapped in Pictures
Here are a few pictures that sum up our day. We were at DFW at 4:30 this morning. Our plane was late and Ray took a nap. Tropical Storm Bill poured rain for quite a while, which was captured in this photo from the plane. We arrived in LA mid-morning. After arriving home and staying…
Flight Advisory, Tropical Storm and the Ranger Game
We are all settled into our hotel room near DFW airport before heading back to LA early in the morning. Our flight is at 6:30 am and we have already received a text from Spirit Airlines issuing a travel advisory. This is related to tropical storm “Bill” that hit the Texas coast and is promising…
20 Minutes a Day 