If you ever studied Roman mythology, you know that the Romans had a god for everything. There were the major gods. Jupiter, the king of the gods. Mars, the god of war Mercury, the god of travelers and tradesmen. Venus, the goddess of love and beauty. Ceres, the goodness of agriculture. Vulcan, the god of blacksmiths and volcanoes. You get the picture. There were minor gods as well, among them – Janus, the god of doors, gateways, beginnings, and endings. Janus is always pictured as having two faces, one facing the past and the other the future. We get our word “January” from Janus, and that makes sense, doesn’t it? Because in January, we look back to the year that’s… [Read More]

We’ve all been there. It can happen on a mountain trail, in a parking lot, on a neighborhood or city street. You’re walking along – minding your own business – when you notice that you have a rock in your sock. Where did it come from? How did it get there? The level of discomfort associated with this circumstance can range from mild irritation to excruciating pain, and the reaction to the discomfort can vary as well. If the irritation is minor, you may continue to walk, thinking that the annoyance will go away. Perhaps the rock will move to a place where it won’t be as uncomfortable. Maybe you can convince yourself that it’s not too bad and that… [Read More]

I recently witnessed the aftermath of a train derailment. It could have been worse. No one was hurt. The train wasn’t carrying chemicals or hazardous materials. No homes or businesses were destroyed. But the derailment triggered immense havoc. It… Created a big mess. Interrupted train travel for several days. Caused traffic congestion and detours. Negatively affected commerce for the shops, restaurants, and businesses located near the tracks. Complicated the lives of the people who live and work in the area. Produced stress for both the railroad and the community. Was costly in terms of time, money, and energy. Sound familiar? Currently many people are feeling that their lives have been derailed. Perhaps that’s you. Do you feel that circumstances over which… [Read More]

If you’re of a certain age, or if you enjoy watching early-era TV shows, you no doubt recognize the title of this article as a frequently asked question at the end of many episodes of The Lone Ranger, a popular TV western that aired from 1949-1957. The show was based on the premise that the Lone Ranger, who disguised his identity with a mask, was the only survivor of a group of massacred Texas Rangers and that he and “his faithful Indian companion Tonto led the fight for law and order in the early West.”  Part of the show’s mystique was that the Lone Ranger never removed his mask or revealed his true identity. Thus, when he rode off at… [Read More]

“It was the best of times….  …it was the worst of times.” If you studied English literature, you probably read – or at least read the Cliff Notes – of Charles Dickens’ classic work A Tale of Two Cities. Written in 1859, Dickens’ historic novel opens with these famous words that seem appropriate today. Over the last few weeks, I’ve been thinking about this statement as our country, and the entire world, has been focused on a situation we’ve never experienced and could have never imagined. For many people, the COVID 19 epidemic feels like “the worst of times”. Many are paralyzed by the fear of illness. Some have experienced the death of loved ones. The closing of schools and… [Read More]