A Beacon of Light

“If I had only one moreround to play, I wouldchoose to play itat Pebble Beach.” Jack Nicklaus I had my chance. I had the opportunity to play a round of golf at the storied Pebble Beach Golf Course — for free! My good friend, Yoko Hirakado, owned WISH International, the organization that brokered the cultural exchange…

“Oh, well,… we were tiredof sleeping in andenjoying life anyway.” Jessica Booth First grade. It was the 1960-61 academic year. At Saint Gabriel School in San Francisco, there were three classes of each grade level, with fifty students per class. Teacher’s aides? Heck, no. We had nuns (Sisters of Mercy)! They didn’t need anyone to help…

“When in Rome,live as the Romans do.”Saint Ambrose When Kathy and I visited Rome,… oh, that’s right. We’ve never visited Rome. It’s not that we didn’t have the opportunity. My brother, Tom, is a Jesuit priest who served as a spiritual director in Rome for ten years. Sadly, during those years, we had neither the…

“I’m thankful for serendipitousmoments in my life, wherethings could’ve gonethe other way.” Rick Springfield They can happen anywhere and at any time — those unexplainable moments when things just go “Click!” Being in the right place at the right time, only to experience something good which was unexpected, is one of life’s greatest treasures. It seems…

“The words ‘I love you’make the most beautifulmusic recognized byhuman ears.”Sidney Poitier Let’s take a look back to 52 years ago today. Just a minute before midnight, on Monday, July 9, 1973, the Union Jack was lowered for the last time as the official flag of the Bahamas. When the clock struck midnight, a crowd…

“There are onlytwo seasons:winter and baseball.”Bill Veeck, Jr. I was planning to write tonight’s blog post about the baseball game I attended with my sister, Cathy, today at Oracle Park. The Giants played the Philadelphia Phillies. Last night (Tuesday), the Giants scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to stun the Phillies.…

“There’s nothing half so pleasant as coming home again.” Margaret Elizabeth Sangster We are home! Our plane landed at San José International Airport just after midnight last night, bringing an end to our 40th anniversary vacation. It was an amazing eleven days, yet it was a pleasure to sleep in our own bed last night.…

“To feel gratitude and not express it is like wrapping a gift and not giving it.” William Arthur Ward It’s Monday morning, July 7th. We’re heading back to our home in San José today with hearts filled with gratitude. These past ten days have been a true gift to both Kathy and me.  Our week…

“Never be afraid to sit awhile and think.” Lorraine Hansbury I’m not sure if I did much thinking yesterday, but I certainly enjoyed sitting for awhile. We’ve had a busy week exploring the areas in and around Rhode Island. The activities of the Fourth of July here in Bristol were both entertaining and exhausting. It’s…

“Those who deny freedom for others deserve it not themselves.” Abraham Lincoln Our first day in Bristol, Rhode Island could not have been better. A fierce storm, with hurricane-force winds, had battered the town the night before, but the sun was shining brightly as the American Star pulled into port for the Fourth of July. …