A Beacon of Light

“Lighthouses don’t go running all over the island looking for boats to save; they just stand there shining.”  Anne Lamott Our cruise ship, the American Star, stayed docked in Martha’s Vineyard yesterday while we took a 70-minute ferry ride to Nantucket Island. Of the places we’ve visited so far on this trip, Nantucket is my…

“We call it The Vineyard.”  Susan Branch Martha’s Vineyard. I’ve heard so much about it through the years. Since everyone seemed to give the island rave reviews, I have always considered it to be one of those magical places I might visit some day. Well, yesterday was that day. After an all-night cruise on choppy…

“Newport, Rhode Island,that breeding place —that stud farm, so to speak —of aristocracy.”Mark Twain Yesterday we spent the entire day in Newport, Rhode Island. Kathy and I began the day with a bus tour of Newport, highlighted by views of countless mansions of the rich and famous. Some passengers on the bus were hoping to…

“One of the last 12 great places in the Western Hemisphere.”  The Nature Conservancy Kathy and I spent the day of our 40th wedding anniversary on scenic Block Island. The island is located just one hour by ferry boat from Newport, Rhode Island. It seems to be one of the best-kept secrets in America. I…

“A great marriage is notwhen the ‘perfect couple’comes together. It’s whenan imperfect couple learnsto enjoy their differences.” Dave Meurer  As of today, by the grace of God, Kathy and I are both alive and well. We’ve been blessed with three impressive sons and five delightful grandchildren. Through the years, we welcomed two extraordinary daughters-in-law into our…

“What cheer?” Motto of Providence, Rhode Island I woke up in Rhode Island this morning — Providence, Rhode Island. Yesterday’s flights from San José (we had a stop-over in Denver) were quite pleasant, as far as air travel goes these days. From San José to Denver, the woman sitting next to Kathy engaged her in…

“The greatest adventure is what lies ahead.” J.R.R. Tolkien And we’re off… together this time. Kathy and I certainly don’t qualify as avid travelers or frequent flyers, but we have traveled a bit in the past forty years. Since we’ve been married, Kathy has taken a few trips without me — to Chicago, Seattle, New…

“Every single thing that has ever happened in your life is preparing you for a moment that is yet to come.”  John Spence I would guess that I’m not alone in wondering why some things have happened in my life. Whether they be good things or bad, it’s human nature to consider why life happens…

“Be the lighthouse in the sea of darkness.”  Unknown I am a firm believer in the overwhelming good which exists in our world today, yet, like you, I am well aware of some of the somber darkness with which many of us struggle. If we take a quick look back at human history, we’ll likely…

“A city that outdistances man’s walking powers is a trap for man.” Arnold J. Toynbee If you live in San Francisco, or anywhere in the greater San Francisco Bay Area, you are most certainly aware of the Bay-to-Breakers race, which takes place in The City on the third Sunday in May each year. The event…