My mother passed away in August 2010; she died in the middle of the night in an assisted living facility not far from our home. My father passed away 24 hours ago; he died peacefully in his own bed in this house just like he wanted to. He was two months shy of his 93rd …
Category Archives: Mind
The Town by the Bend in the River
Several years ago, my friend Gerry told me the story of the star thrower, which I often refer to in posts and general conversation. It is a terrific story with an important message: you can choose to make a difference regardless of the circumstances stacked against you. I have come across another story that I …
The Greatness of a Nation
A few weeks ago as my friend Ch**k was driving down the road chatting with me on his cell phone (VERY safely I must emphasize [and I have disguised his name so he will not get in trouble for driving and talking at the same time]), he was unable to avoid a small Arizona ground …
Jimmy Stewart, Beau and Heaven
Last Sunday, my friend Father Charlie gave a ‘remarkable’ homily about a ‘remarkable fellow.’ His sermon was grounded in the 1927 silent film “7th Heaven.” I did my research and found “7th Heaven” on YouTube. I learned that there is a 1937 remake with Jimmy Stewart. Both versions are available on YouTube. Last night, Mrs. …
Live As Though You Remember
It occurred to me this morning as I was researching my ‘manuscript in process’ that I have used the idea of “remembering” early in each of my historical novels. “I’ve been tempted to lose count of the years as each comes and goes, but I remember. Remembering is important.” – The Olympian: A Tale of …
Around the World in Seven Years
woke up at 0400 … accomplished two of the four “S’s” … cleared my email and checked book sales, we’re already on the board for 2014 0500 … headed up to the Redemptorist Renewal Center at 0500 …. performed my daily devotion to Our Mother of Perpetual Help …. contemplated for 30 minutes in the …
The War Prayer
I may have mentioned I have been reading an excellent volume, The Rag and Bone Shop of the Heart: Poems for Men. I come upon poem after poem that demands and commands my attention. I so much like this book that I purchased four copies, one for each son and one for my son-in-law. Last …
When You’re Feeling Like George Bailey
“I had the blues ’cause I had no shoes until I met a man on the street who had no feet.” When my kids were growing up, that is how I would teach them to respond to even their legitimate woes: someone is always in a more dire strait. Sometimes, however, a person gets the …
My Three Sons
In 1979, my wife gave birth to our second child, a girl. I was shocked that a female could issue from my loins. Such was the limited vision of the world that I had those many years ago. I wanted to name her ‘Jean Marie,’ Jean for me and Marie for her mother, but friends …
tVM 2012 Summary
As 2012 draws to a close, I would like to thank all of our readers who motivate me to continue throwing starfish back into the ocean. Here is a snapshot of The Vitruvian Man’s website performance during the previous 12 months. This year, the site generated nearly 13,000 page views; that’s up from 8,500 a …