February 16, 2021
These pages reflect my current thoughts, beliefs, attitudes and, undoubtedly, prejudices and ignorance. Over the years I have developed a practiced lack of concern for what others think of me—and these thoughts will certainly reflect that. My views have changed and will change again. Read and reflect at your own risk. While I'll touch on a wide variety of subjects--there is one common theme; how to live a considered, thoughtful…
February 14, 2021
Daughters, Kids, Lessons after 50, Marriage, Parenting
I was having a drink with a friend—an executive in my former company—who makes a lot of money. He was complaining about the fact that his daughter’s wedding was going to cost him around $50,000. I almost fell off my chair. And with my usual tact asked; “What-the-hell-are-you-thinking?” “What do you mean? What am I supposed to do? Nickel and dime her? Put her on a tight budget?” “Nope” I…
June 3, 2016
Authors, Books, My picks, What I'm Reading, Writing
I’ve spent nearly all of my 51 years with a book (or two or three) in hand. And I’m utterly omnivorous in my taste. I’ve read great ‘terrible’ books and terrible ‘great’ books. (More about that in another post.) I have become somewhat indifferent to book reviews—as they tend to reveal more about the reviewer than the book being reviewed. I read what is recommended to me by friends and…
May 28, 2016
In the spring of 2015 my partner and I sold the family home and gave away—quite literally—95% of our possessions. It was among the most powerful and meaningful moments of our lives. We learned a great deal in that process and its immediate aftermath. First a little context. We moved to Charlotte, North Carolina after spending almost all of our adult lives in Western Michigan. We quickly embraced Charlotte with…
May 28, 2016
We have been true believers in our little household that everybody needs three wines on hand at all time--so we buy them by the case (or the half case at least). #1 The house red--your everyday drinking red wine. It should work for both pizza and pasta and because it is Tuesday and tomorrow you still have to do that meeting with the awful client. It needs to be both…
April 1, 2016
Shared this with my visiting son--a lovely, dry, multi-layered champagne with lots of acid and green apples. Medium body, great straw color. We had the 2011 vintage--reasonably priced from WTSO.com at around $38 a bottle. By the way--while I highly recommend finding a good local wine shop and frequenting it also--check out WTSO.com--great prices, terrific service.
March 31, 2016
Two days after Labor Day, 2015 I stepped out of a meeting with the CEO of our company to take a call from my urologist. His news was not unexpected, but still startling; “Jack, we have the results back from your biopsy—and I’m sorry to say that you have prostate cancer. Seven of the twelve samples are cancerous.” The rest of the call was about referral to a surgeon and…