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How George Foreman’s Life Was Turned Around in Grants Pass, Oregon

On this day in 1949 in Houston, Texas, George Foreman was born. He is well known as a boxer, a pitchman, an entertainer, and to many young people “the grill guy.” The important lesson of George Foreman is the story of redemption, perseverance, and adults who did not give up a troubled and often […]

Happy Second Birthday to “Timeless Trivia”

Today marks the second anniversary of the publication of “Timeless Trivia Volume One” I’m very proud of the story of these books, and how they came to be. I think it is a good story. If you don’t know it- here it is: In March of 2020, during the strictest days of Covid Lockdown, students […]

Julia Child: Chef…..and patriot

Happy birthday to Ms. Julia Child, born August 15, 1912. Many know her as the first female chef to have a television show, who taught Americans how to make delicious, often French meals for four decades while publishing 18 books. However, there is more to her story. When Pearl Harbor was attacked in 1941, she […]

Charlottesville: be thankful you are not them

Five years ago this week, Nazis, white nationalists, the KKK, and other hate groups gathered in Charlottesville, Virginia for what they called the “Unite the Right” rally. In particular, they were there to there to protest the removal of a statue honoring Confederate General Robert E. Lee from the campus of the University of Virginia. […]

Marie Blevins: True servant

67 years ago today, an amazing story happened that is known by far too few. Griffin school in Monticello, Kentucky became the first school in the United States to integrate based upon the Supreme Court’s “Brown Vs. Board of Education” ruling the year before. Their school year ran from July to February, so they were […]

Timeless Trivia Volume Seven: music of the 1950s, 60s, and 70s

“Timeless Trivia Volume Seven: Music of the 1950s, 60s, and 70s” is now available on Amazon. My latest trivia book is filled with 1000 questions about rock and roll, country, musicals, etc covering three decades. The questions vary widely in skill level and should provide a good time and some learning for all music fans. […]

The Most Important word in the declaration of independence is the first one

Happy Independence Day! Today, like all days, is a great day to think about your country. There is such a wide range of thought and emotion feelings about our America, especially lately. How do we celebrate and love a country that we are blessed to live in, but has also let us down many times? […]

Independence day, not independence month

Fireworks are my favorite. Every year, I look to the illuminated sky with wide eyes, a clenched fist, and the wonder and amazement of an eight year old. I know I am not alone in this love. I am far from anti-firework, but I am pro thoughtfulness and compassion. Each year, people who enjoy fireworks […]

The inspiring real story of Mr. Miyagi

Happy birthday to Mr. Pat Morita, who would have turned 90 today. Most people know that he played one of the most iconic movie roles ever, Mr. Miyagi, in “The Karate Kid Series.” However, few know the story of his tragic childhood he was forced to overcome. When he was two, Mr. Morita was diagnosed […]

John Hartfield: the tragic story that should be known

103 years ago today, a man named John Hartfield was brutally murdered in Mississippi, with the aid of local law enforcement. His crime: having a white girlfriend while being black. John Hartfield had moved away from his hometown of Ellisville, Mississippi in early 1919. He went to St. Louis to try to create a better […]

James Meredith: walking with courage

Happy 89th birthday to James Meredith. A living American hero whose story should be known. He grew up in Mississippi, only allowed to go to all-black schools. When he graduated, he joined the Air Force and served in it from 1951-1960. This in itself fascinates me. How could a person volunteer to fight and possibly […]