Hiking merges two requirements of human existence, connecting with nature and exercise. Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out going to the mountains is going home; that wilderness is a necessity… The potentially prophetic John Muir was a stud. He was a naturalist and storyteller who mused on his nature adventures in the Sierra … [Read more…]

Ever see greatness in someone, almost so much that it doesn’t seem fair? Sometimes others can see it in you before you see it yourself. I watch the way Cassidy Watton approaches her work, and I know she can assist us in becoming stronger, more physically confident, less anxious, fitter and bolder. She’s finding her way at her pace. I know she’ll get there, but I’m a bit … [Read more…]

If James Bond stops by, I’ll be ready. I now know how to fix his drink.Y’all have been spending plenty of time with me. We regularly share good food, music, laughter and, once in a while, a stiff drink. I’m pretty loyal to Scotch whisky, neat, when I indulge. I branch out sometimes. An ice cold (almost frozen) beer with a slice of pizza or a burger has been known to sneak … [Read more…]

Had you been outside my home Sunday evening, you might have witnessed me outside, in a robe, demolishing a bag of smoke detectors in a fit of fury. If there is one thing I despise more than stickers on fruit, it is smoke detectors. I can post on this topic on a health and lifestyle blog with a clear conscience because they can directly impact two things we frequently muse on, … [Read more…]

This post is about a piece of music that swam through my soul this morning and has yet to emerge for air. I’ve played Bill Withers’ masterpiece, “I Can’t Write Left-Handed” hundreds of times, but this is the first time I’ve discussed it publicly.Over the course of the last eight months, y’all have become like family to me. As such, when I’m annoyed about something like … [Read more…]