Category Archives: Personal Values

The Road to Diamond, Day 348: Winterized

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Posted by on in children, collaborating, Community, Family, Matters of Faith, Personal Values, Service Activities, Social, Spiritual, Striving, Travel

November 10, 2025- I was thirty-five minutes out from Bellemont, when I got the message that the plumber was “on his way”. Knowing that two other people were already on site, I continued on towards the property. Once on the access road, I spotted the plumber’s truck and one other car ahead of me. Plumber turned onto a neighbouring development, so I followed the second car to Bellemont and four of us waited for the plumber to get his bearings.

The winterization process, for a property that will see minimal use during the off-season, involves draining the water tanks, pipes and hoses. Plumber had to “blow out” the tanks and pipes, to prevent against freezing that would lead to rupture. This property is in an area that gets more snow than even Flagstaff, a scant fifteen miles to the east, so no precaution is too extreme.

I will need to “winterize” my friendships with people in Home Base I, and in the Philippines, given that my life plans have changed. Immediate family has to come first, so whatever is necessary to avoid rupture, by way of transparency and honest, direct interest in what is going on in friends’ lives will have to suffice-until the day when I can spend time with them again. Making the most of remaining time here, and possibly going to “the Phils”, between the time of my grandchild’s birth and the day that I am needed permanently in Texas, will alleviate things somewhat.

The pipes do not have to break.

The Road to Diamond, Day 347: Chicken Gravy

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Posted by on in American Legion, collaborating, Personal Values, Social

November 9, 2025- When we were kids, Dad would occasionally fix what he called “slippery pancakes”. These were crepes, on which we would then put the usual pancake toppings, real maple syrup and seasonal fruits. (No New Englander would use corn syrup on pancakes or waffles, though Karo was around, for other purposes.)

As I have gotten older, when presented with a choice of crepes, I have generally gone for savoury cakes, rather than sweet. Part of that is due to a desire to limit my intake of sugared products, as keeping diabetes at bay is something that tends to be of concern,even though my blood sugar is at the properly balanced level. The other aspect is that I simply have had more of a craving for savoury foods, over the past ten years.

So, it was rather delightful this morning, when the breakfast entree was crepes with chicken gravy. It was not just brown gravy; there were sumptuous chunks of chicken along with the onions and mushrooms. The crepes themselves had no filling, but they didn’t need any. The topping more than sufficed, in that regard. I ordered one, out of prudence, and got two. My inner gourmand could have had four, but gourmanderie is best kept in check, anymore.

I just naturally have come to enjoy trying new foods, albeit within a few texture-centric limitations (nothing slimy, thanks-and the more savoury, the better.

The Road to Diamond, Day 346: The Force of Wonder

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Posted by on in Assistance, collaborating, Community, Inspiration, Personal Values, Social, Spiritual, Striving

November 8, 2025- Her voice carrying the strength of a gale force wind, Ember captivated those of us sitting in a half-filled room, for two hours of acoustic magic. She sang of the power of wonder, the animating force behind the songs that have brought her, and the band called Lake Francis Case (after a favourite vacation spot of her childhood), a seminal place in Prescott’s vibrant music scene. The group has relied upon live concerts, both with the full five members and the acoustic trio, for its appeal to audiences around Arizona. They will finally complete an album of recorded music, in the next several months.

Being able to wonder at things has largely powered my own life, even through adulthood. I don’t think I’d still be alive, if I gave in to jadedness or quotidian thinking. There is just too much that is magical in life, and worthy of being seen through almost child-like eyes. I guess that is what has kept me active, up early each morning, so often exploring both natural and urban settings. It has also kept me reading and seeking more information about various aspects of all layers of the world, of the Universe.

Curiosity has occasionally gotten me into trouble, but that difficulty has usually been short-lived, and as can be seen, I’m still here, no worse for the wear. There is, after all, so much more to be explored and to be learned. Wonder escapes those who sit still.

The Road to Diamond, Day 345: Choosing Quiet

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Posted by on in children, Community, impediments, Matters of Faith, Personal Values, Service Activities, Social, Spiritual, Striving

November 7, 2025- I went to a quiet place, this morning, instead of dropping in at the crowded, delightful and noisy jam fest that takes place each Friday morning.. As time moves on, I am finding that where I go, on a given day, matters little to anyone outside a small group. That’s probably how it’s always been, as in the verse of an old song, “Most folks just go their way, don’t pay me any mind.”

Sitting in Century Lounge, I drew cursory attention from a couple of small children. I smiled at each and went back to my writing, which was the main reason I wanted relative quiet this morning. The rest of the patrons were busily involved with business, politics or affairs of the heart.

As the day progressed, there were signs that the situation on the national level might be resolved, sort of, sometime next week. For now, though, the transportation piece of that situation leaves me little choice but to drive out and back, over Thanksgiving. I generally think that the right thing will happen. It just takes time to sort out all the egoism and perceived “need” that emanates from the human psyche.

Tonight, I spent some time on a Zoom call, from which I have been absent for several weeks. My presence was briefly acknowledged, then the regulars went about their business and I stayed on as an observer. It was a nice hour, though, as three wonderful children came on as participants, getting the support they deserved from the regulars.

Things that matter most in life are what usually end up transpiring.

The Road to Diamond, Day 344: Road Planner

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Posted by on in children, collaborating, Community, Personal goals, Personal Values, Service Activities, Social, Spiritual, Striving, Travel

November 6, 2025- The talk, other than about Blood Drives, trailer reorganizations and the entry in Prescott’s upcoming Veterans’ Day Parade, was regarding my pending move to Texas. My Red Cross associates are, in a pleasant surprise, fully on board with it. I have been with the local RC organization since 2012, so ties to the group are strong. Nonetheless, the most important thing to most Red Cross staffers and volunteers is family. To a one, those meeting in Prescott today expressed happiness at the upcoming arrival of my grandchild.

These next eight weeks or so will therefore be very much concerned with letting go of household furniture, a good many books and some other items that have accumulated over the past fourteen years. Another family member who made a similar move, a few years back, has,by example, given me a roadmap ( no pun intended) for this move to be done efficiently and successfully.

In the middle of it all comes Thanksgiving, and we will celebrate it in Grapevine, while looking ahead to spending next year in a house, instead of an apartment. I will drive out there and back, largely because of the uncertainty that still hangs over the airline industry, due to the government shutdown. My diamond jubilee will be the day after Thanksgiving, and besides, the three of us have so much for which to be grateful. Not the least of it is the arrival of family member # 4. I already feel a very deep love, not explicable to anyone who is not themselves a grandparent.

So, my plan is to spend 2-3 days each way on the road, and repeat the process just before Christmas, weather permitting.

The Road to Diamond, Day 343: A Short Stint

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Posted by on in children, collaborating, distraction issues, impediments, Inner Struggles, Personal Values, Social, Spiritual, Striving

November 5, 2025- Some things never seem to change. Two little girls decided to shut out their more officious row-mate, after she called attention to something they supposedly said. I have two thoughts on reporting vs. tattling. On the one hand, I thoroughly believe that children should be seen, heard and believed. The days when only adults were allowed to speak are, mercifully, long gone. On the other hand, not being naive, I know that children, being human, can also be wrong-in their assessment or even in their intentions. A child’s frame of reference is most likely limited by the brevity of their life experiences. Nevertheless, I listened carefully to her report, and equally carefully heard their side, not assessing blame or credit to either.

As it happened, we were starting what is called “Centers”, where students rotate among different activities in the classroom. So, the two girls went to one area and the third occupied herself in drawing and reading. They later were all collaborating on another activity, the earlier dispute seemingly set aside. The regular teacher returned shortly afterward, and I was on my merry way.

We can be very funny about hanging onto bad exchanges with others. I learned a long time ago that grudges are like dead weights. The kids who came across as bullies, in my younger days, were all different. Early on, I decided to look at them individually. The good-hearted boy who was always on my case about one thing or another became the man who was earnestly interested in my well-being. The troubled kid who was constantly trying to beat up others was, as I later witnessed, terrified by others who were stronger and meaner than he. The duo who harassed other kids, by riding up to them on their bikes and taking things, later became men who found themselves being targeted by more nefarious grifters. Holding grudges would have weighed me down. I’m glad to have moved on.

Hopefully, the very competent regular teacher will handle any ongoing tension between the three girls and their different personalities will find a way to mesh, over the years.

The Road to Diamond, Day 342: Building Ties

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Posted by on in collaborating, Community, Personal Values, Service Activities, Social, Spiritual, Striving

November 4, 2025- The scene in the large room was one of purposeful and laser-focused organization. My entry into the room was almost seen as an intrusion, but I was there as an ambassador. The Red Cross has a program in which volunteers greet prospective blood donors, sign them in and usually offer them water or juice and healthy snacks. This is called the Blood Ambassador program.

Once the equipment was set up, my tools and name tags were brought over. I was informed that the nursing staff would be responsible for the snacks and water. This seemed to be more a function of the layout of the room than any systemic change, so I didn’t worry much about it.

The event was an outreach to the Yavapai-Apache people near Camp Verde, and was held at a lodge near Cliff Castle Casino. The facility is basic, but comfortable, and the day proceeded with little trouble. Those who had signed up, but were no shows, due to today being their day off, were outweighed by those who were walk-ins. Thus, the day was deemed a success. The First Nations people were appreciative that the phlebotomists and nurses had come from Phoenix and I, from Prescott.

Our area Red Cross has made considerable efforts to reach out to communities that have historically been marginalized. The small First Nations bands, like the various Yavapai-Apache communities and other rural areas, such as villages on the remote Arizona Strip, between the Grand Canyon and southern Utah, have been a more conscious focus of our Northern Arizona District. This has partially been a silver lining to the horrific Dragon Bravo Fire of this past summer and early autumn and partially due to a stronger local organization, that is not dependent mainly on resources from larger cities, such as Phoenix or Albuquerque.

One of my greatest joys in life is seeing ties built and made stronger. I hope, in the time I have left here, that this will only accelerate.

The Road to Diamond, Day 341: On Cocooning

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Posted by on in Assistance, collaborating, Community, impediments, Inner Struggles, Inspiration, Matters of Faith, Personal Values, Social, Spiritual, Striving

November 3, 2025- I revisited a small regular gathering today. One usually consistent attendee was conspicuously absent. It was explained to me that this person is on an inward journey and does not wish to be with anyone, for the time being. While this news is a bit disconcerting, I have to wish friend well.

I have rarely, if ever, ensconced myself in seclusion for very long. There was a period of time, after Penny passed (2011), when I kept a lot to myself, but there were always other people in the house and I never really felt like I was cocooning. In truth, though, old habits and ways of viewing the world, some of which I had held since adolescence, were being shed. Wrapped up in contemplation, I came out of that period, towards the end of 2014. During those three years, there were a few adventures and a couple of colossal missteps, that might have wrecked my life, and those of a few other people, but for the Grace of the Almighty.

We are each ever in a state of flux, with changing circumstances that could either propel us forward, or upend everything we know and cherish. Sometimes, life brings us a little of both. I see that this might be happening to said friend, and can only be a well-wisher. My own life, in the next six weeks, will see the conclusion of one great chapter and the beginning of another, perhaps grander. I will not be cocooning, though.

The Road to Diamond, Day 340: Disquietude

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Posted by on in Assistance, collaborating, Community, distraction issues, Education, impediments, Inner Struggles, Matters of Faith, Personal Values, Social, Spiritual, Striving

November 2, 2025- The meeting, held unusually on a Sunday, was going like clockwork. Out of the blue came a rash of cursing and threatening language. Those involved knew fully well that they were disrupting the meeting next door. They made it clear that they didn’t care-and further, that no one was going to tell them to stop arguing and leave the building.

The right to use foul language and disrupt business, however, seems to end three feet from one’s neighbour’s face. In a privately-owned facility, moreover, a person may be compelled to leave, at the discretion of the building’s owner, or her/his lawful representatives. This is what ended up happening today. The person responsible for keeping order in the meeting, aided by two other officers, escorted the four disquiet people out of the building. There was some discussion outside, but the four went their separate ways, apparently understanding that attracting the attention of the police was not in their best interests.

This is my own main argument for not letting alcohol, or any mind-altering substance, affect one’s ability to carry on with life. I was, at one time, a terrible drunk, and I will leave it at that. I seldom, if ever, though, threw my weight around. On the few occasions that I did so, I was readily called to account, and there are those in my past who are all too happy to remind me of that time when…. So be it. Life is a series of mishaps and, hopefully, of lessons learned.

As a society, though, we still have drug allusions that are used to extol the virtues of a legitimate food or beverage-i.e. “It’s better than crack”. Oh? How do you know about crack? The fact that such a horrible substance is seen in a positive light gives me the willies. Disquietude can be found in any nook and cranny of society. Dealing with it, rooting it out, takes fortitude-and persistent effort-the kind that does not allow for a positive view of an addicting substance.

The Road to Diamond, Day 339: Continuity

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Posted by on in Assistance, collaborating, impediments, Inspiration, Matters of Faith, Personal Values, Social, Spiritual, Striving

November 1, 2025- One of the things that appeals to me most about Home Base I is that not a whole lot changes, on occasions when I am away-even for almost two months. A restaurant closed, with the promise of re-opening in another location, “soon”. Taking its place was a high-priced establishment that serves dinner only, five nights a week. No other changes are evident, though.

I dropped in at one favourite stop, and found the owner, a friend, uncharacteristically angry. It turned out that someone reneged on a promised gig, for the flimsiest of excuses. I would have been furious. I think my friend handled it rather well, considering.

Today was All Saints Day, mostly celebrated heartily in predominately Roman Catholic countries. It is a national holiday in the Philippines and in several Latin American nations. In Mexico, it dovetails with Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), which is more prominent in Mexican culture. I was present for the holiday in Manila, in 2022, even if I was merely wending my way to Aquino International Airport. It was still a day when many Filipinos were on the move, both domestically and internationally. To me, sainthood is relative. Only a few souls have neared perfection, in this mortal life, and even fewer have attained it.

I have a long way to go, but that’s okay. I am giving life my best shot.