Focused

I am usually a “get it done” kinda guy because I have an ability to apply a laser-like focus to work and tasks I set out to do. Having that type of focus has not been innate; I had to learn how to avoid distractions that would divert attention and keep me from completing even the most simple tasks.

I cannot say that as a child that I had ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), but I know that I was scatter-brained. I would flit from one thing to another, and my Mom would…
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Volunteer Mission for Senior Safety

Blogalarm1Today, October 15, marks the 23rd (can’t believe it, but it is) Senior Safety Saturday that I am leading in the area where many older people live in my hometown neighborhood. With a cadre of some 100 volunteers, including many guys & gals who are with the Fire Department where I am a Life Member, we will…
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The Home Circle

rp_Fall2010.jpgMy life outside of work focuses on caring for my spouse, our home, the affordable-housing properties that I rent to local community heroes, my work with my local fire department, and occasional community wonky meetings as a resident old fart (I mean, old sage.) My spouse and I do not have a social life. Those kinds of things are in our distant past with nice memories.

Juggling time for my current-day activities when one is working full time can be…
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Not In This Wedding

help-me-groom-shoesA close friend is (finally) getting married to his girlfriend of many years. This friend was married before, but his previous wife died in a tragic car crash ten years ago. So when he decided to get married again, he asked me to serve as a groomsman in his wedding. I don’t know what I was thinking when I said “yes” — well, perhaps I was thinking the wedding would be informal.

At our age if a wedding occurs, especially a second wedding, it is usually much less formal. But both the groom and the bride have both sets of parents and grandparents still living, and their expectations are for a very fancy and formal wedding. The bride’s parents are loaded–so all the trappings of a big wedding are expected.

I generally avoid weddings, but was considering participating as requested for the sake of my friend (and his fiancee who is really sweet). However, when I happened to be at my friend’s mother’s house last week (doing a minor plumbing repair), she said…
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