All Gave Some, And Some Gave All

Memorial Day. I love this annual holiday. It is the unofficial kick off of summer, and there are never too many barbecues, sunny days, and happy voices for me to tire of this oncoming hot, sweaty, shorts and sandals season. But more than the joy that accompanies evenings of winking fireflies and waves crashing on vacation […]

That August On Chicken Hawk Ridge

An experience in the summer before my first year in college had one of the most profound impacts on me of any in my life. I was fortunate to have had the privilege of participating in what was called Faith and Life Institute. It took place during the first three weeks of August, and those […]

American Bandstand, We Got Lost In Your Rock And Roll

Oh happy day! August 5, 1957 was pivotal in music and Baby Boomer history. Making its national debut, broadcast on ABC-TV, live from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at 3:30 in the afternoon; fifty-seven years ago, American Bandstand launched our youth culture movement. Hosted and led by perennial teenager Dick Clark, Philadelphia’s high school kids stepped off the […]

Hail To Thee Our Camp Jack Hazard

For weeks now, I have been trying to recall lyrics to the theme song of my childhood summer camp. I went to it as a kid camper, and then worked there as a counselor. Granted, it has been forty-nine years since I last saw Camp Jack Hazard; but some things should not be forgotten. Even […]

Never Back In The Saddle Again!

There was a video on Facebook, a couple days ago, of two horses being loaded into a trailer. Ordinarily, I do not watch posted videos, because I really do not care about someones cat playing in a box, or a child eating his first solid food. Those videos usually are of interest to the owners, […]

Happy 2nd of July! Or 4th Of July! Oh, Close Enough

“The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought […]

Scourge Of The 50’s; Unseen Monster At The Door

As a child who grew up in the San Joaquin Valley of central California, I knew all about summer sizzle. We lived with triple digit heat day after day, and never dreamed there was cooler weather in other places. Well, there was the coast, but that was special, and just for two weeks vacation each […]

Theatre Brought To Us In A Little Red Truck

Opportunities for children to learn, grow, shine are sought and seized by eager parents everywhere, wanting more than anything to provide that environment where their kids not only develop whatever gifts and talents they have, but thrive and revel in them. Sometimes, parents’ intentions are to help their child with social skills, with self-esteem, with […]

Purpose, Rhythm, Destiny; Lessons From The Sea

It finally is the last week in June, and when I was growing up, that meant pack the suitcases and the car, fill the gas tank, and head for Santa Cruz. I do not have any memories of summer vacations spent anywhere else. Santa Cruz was our go to place, and it never occurred to […]

Let The Peach Wars Begin

“We are in this fight to win, and if you don’t mean it, or aren’t willing to give it everything you’ve got, get out and go home!” That was my brother’s opening speech and call to arms every summer at the beginning of the peach wars. These wars were the highlight of our summer months, […]