Happy Father’s Day, to all of the dads reading this. I am also beaming my gratitude to all of you spouses, SOs, children, and friends who are honoring fathers today. Happy Juneteenth, to everyone celebrating freedom today. One way that we are free is by choosing which parts of history to spend time remembering and […]
When Your Grandson Falls at the Playground
Would you try a little thought experiment with me? It will take you about five minutes, that’s all. Following this paragraph is the text of a one-page speech. Can you read it from a place of empathy? Don’t get caught up in your own feelings, just try to imagine the feelings of the speaker and his audience.
Dear White People
I recently discovered Hannah Drake’s blog, WriteSomeShit. Believe me, she has some powerful shit to convey. For MLK Day, please take a few minutes to read her post, Dear White People, Before You Post Dr. King Quotes To Make Yourself Feel Good… Drake writes, …before you rush to Google on Monday to search for a […]
Now is the Time
Pray for our community and our country. More importantly, speak up to your friends and neighbors here on this Earth. Ask all of your friends to speak up. Our community and our country are descending into hatred. This is not the America that I believe in.
Jingle Bell Run 5K
I ran my second 5K this morning, the Jingle Bell Run to benefit the Arthritis Foundation. I signed up for the race with two goals in mind: I wanted to raise over $1,000 for the Arthritis Foundation and I wanted to better my 5K time from the first race that I ran in October. Kudos […]
Swimming with Cripples
My friend, Dan Suffian, wrote Swimming with Cripples and it’s absolutely beautiful. It’s just a long paragraph, too short for me to paraphrase it here, and anyway, if I were to try all I’d do is rob you of the joy of discovering Dan’s story through his own words. Go read it and share it […]
Sometimes a Man Stands Up During Supper
Sometimes a man stands up during supper and walks outdoors, and keeps on walking, because of a church that stands somewhere in the East. And his children say blessings on him as if he were dead. And another man, who remains inside his own house, dies there, inside the dishes and in the glasses, so […]
Happy 1st Birthday
The Cheerful Curmudgeon web site is one year old today! Since we all know that birthdays mean presents, join me in celebrating. I like the Hobbit’s tradition that the one having the birthday gives presents to other people. (You have read The Fellowship of the Ring, haven’t you?) So here’s the deal: You, Gentle Reader, […]
Holocaust Survivor Simon Wiesenthal Dies
Simon Wiesenthal (AP Photo/Ronald Zak, File) Simon Wiesenthal, holocaust survivor and hunter of Nazi war criminals, passed away in his sleep this morning. He was 96. May his life be remembered as a blessing. Wiesenthal spent more than 50 years hunting Nazi war criminals, speaking out against neo-Nazism and racism, and remembering the Jewish experience […]
Donate Blood
For years and years, I regularly donated blood to the American Red Cross. It was easy, didn’t hurt, and helped other people. Unlike donating money, giving blood did not even deprive me of anything. As a matter of fact, after each donation I treated myself to a good steak dinner. (No, I don’t want to […]
Hats off to Al “Screw-Up” Lewis
The Denver Post reports this story about Al Lewis, a man who does much to restore my faith in mankind. “I just believe things should be done the way they should be done,” he said. After a cargo strap on his truck broke, spewing about 5,000 spikes on the highway at 60 MPH, Al actually […]
Arthritis Walk
Today’s the day. My N.E.W.S. Group is participating in the St. Charles Arthritis Walk. If you are in town and can join us at Frontier Park in St. Charles, do. There will be food, music, great weather and lots of fun! This group is part of the St. Peters Chamber of Commerce. Whether you can […]
