A Beacon of Light

“Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.”  Eckhart Tolle Today is December 31, 2023 — the last day of yet another year. Not surprisingly, I’m doing what I do pretty much every year on this date. I’m writing a blog post about the calendar year coming…

“Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without.”  Confucius Saturday night — the last Saturday night of 2023. What a perfect time for a date night. Kathy and I spent a good part of the evening at Little Lou’s Barbecue on Winchester Boulevard in Campbell. We enjoyed a nice barbecue chicken…

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”  William Arthur Ward Our family celebration of Christmas dinner this year was one of the most memorable of my life. I’d be hard-pressed to pinpoint any one particular reason for this claim, as it wasn’t just one thing that made…

“At Christmas, all roads lead home.”  Marjorie Holmes The leftovers from Christmas dinner have all been put away. The crumpled wrapping paper from the many gifts that were under the tree has been disposed of appropriately. The grandkids are back home and asleep in their own beds. Kathy is, understandably, sound asleep on the couch…

“All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.”  Helen Keller I remember it well — Christmas 2008.  Dad had died, quite unexpectedly, on the last day of July. I had a tough time coping with the reality of his death, and found myself enveloped in a fog of depression which lasted, to some…

“Dessert is not a meal; it’s a moment.”  Anh Luu  During my high school years in San Francisco, there were a number of venue options for gathering with friends after a school dance, a game, a performing arts presentation, or just to get together for the sake of getting together. One of my favorite places…

“Intentions often melt in the face of unexpected opportunity.”  Shirley Temple If you know me, you may or may not be aware that my professional career has been one of responding to unexpected opportunities — St. Augustine’s College (Nassau), Bellarmine College Prep (San José), St. Christopher School & Parish (San José), St. Lawrence Academy and…

“No act of kindness is ever wasted.”  Aesop I had one of those serendipitous moments around noontime yesterday when I happened upon a hidden treasure in Santa Clara. While walking from the classroom where I teach Creative Writing on Tuesday mornings to the main office of the Santa Clara Adult Education Program, I met Jackie…

Author S. K. Logsdon once described biscotti as “an orgasm on a plate.” I would not use such a drastic comparison, but I will agree with the writer that biscotti, when prepared well, is one of the best desserts one can possibly enjoy. I’m not sure anyone makes a better variety of biscotti than Roxanne…

“Acceptance does not imply liking or wanting, nor does it represent giving up, giving in, or resignation. Simply put, acceptance means gently holding whatever arises.”  Jill Stoddard The loss of a child of any age can be, and in most cases probably is, a devastating experience. The anticipated order of operations in life leads us…