Grandin truly grand in her advice

Dr. Temple Grandin has become perhaps the world's most well-known person diagnosed with autism. After reading a bit on the subject, I wonder if I'm not a bit autistic myself. Click on the link below to hear more (as per my April 28, 2011 column in "The Fort Collins Coloradoan"):


Grandin 4-11.mp3


There's no doubt in my mind that visionary Grandin would be famous, autism or no. Like the lady says, "The world needs all kinds of minds."

Yours and mine, included. Thanks for visiting!

R-word indicates user is uneducated

"End the Word" is a simple awareness campaign in which participants pledge to stop using the word "retard" to demean those with developmental disabilites. My March 24, 2011 "Coloradoan" column offers some insight from those who know. Click below to hear more:


R-word 3-11.mp3

Listen, nobody's taking anything away from anybody - other than hurt.

Free as a bird

It is as my "Coloradoan" editor said, "Words can't express the sorrow" of losing your mother. And yet, I try:

Dorothy 2-11.mp3


Me and mine remain unspeakably sad that our beloved Dorothy is no longer "here." Our comfort is in knowing she is truly free, as with wings, and with us now as God is: Here, there, and everywhere.

Recycling is of value

If you're an avid recycler who likes telling others what to do (in a nice way), does the Larimer County Solid Waste Department have a volunteer job for you! Click on the following 3:38 minute link to learn more about Recycling Ambassadors:

Recycling 1-11.mp3

Man, and I thought R.A.'s were only found on college campuses! Hope they, too, are up on their three R's, so they can teach every resident on their dorm floor the art of reusing, reducing, and recycling.

Thanks for your time - and for your diligence in always recycling when/what you can!

For the love of cats

I used to consider myself a dog person, but that was before I befriended two kitties 11 years ago. I realize now that I am a dog and cat person...why choose either/or, afterall, when both are the best? 'Course there are those among us who feel they must "own" every animal they see. Click below and you'll hear what I mean:


Christmas_Cats_12-10.mp3

Thank you for your continued readership and Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas!

Thankful for Community

It sounds cliche, I suppose, but having an "attitude of gratitude" about where you live is key to happiness. Really, don't we all just want to belong somewhere? To be a part of something? To have a place we call home? For me and mine, that's Waverly, CO in a nutshell - even if you have to be somewhat nutty to live this far apart from it all. If you've got a moment, click on the following to hear s'more:

Thanksgiving_11-10.mp3

I'm grateful, too, to you for kindly stopping in! Y'all come back now, y'hear?

Election time is scary

And it just keeps on getting creepier as candidates' messages continue to hit sinister lows. My word, is Armaggedon nigh?

Here's my take on Election 2010 in the following 3:39 audio clip, based on my October 20 "Coloradoan" newspaper piece:

Election_Scary_10-2010.mp3

What I know for sure: the America you and I believe in - the one in which we can and do influence every day - will be okay regardless of how things go November 2.

Thanks for keeping the faith, my fellow Americans!