I write this with a background of nearly 50 years obtaining residential building permits from cities and counties throughout California.  I am a Designer/Builder who draws the blueprints for houses and then executes them and I have always honored the local building officials for the work they do to improve the quality of our […]

WRESTLING GIANTS   – As a recovering cynic, I love to hear stories about people who do truly beneficial work simply because they understand their own abilities and believe in themselves.  I need to know there are people so strong and resourceful that they do their work no matter what, just because they can.  People […]

    One fall afternoon — red leaves, silver drizzle — a friend and I were given a tour of Canterbury Shaker Village in New Hampshire.  We learned many things:  how the Shakers believed in a life of unceasing prayer defined as everything one did, said and thought.  All activity was an homage to God. […]

      I have spent most of my life trying to improve my skills for making things by hand.  At one point I wrote down some of my thoughts regarding craftsmanship and how we can improve it. I.      WHAT IS CRAFTSMANSHIP? II.    HOW DOES GOOD CRAFTSMANSHIP COME ABOUT? III.   WHAT […]

    Occasionally I encounter a work of art that broadens my understanding of the universe and makes me realize how much more is happening than I ever imagined.  And always, when this occurs, I feel a little smaller and a bit more humble but at the same time I am filled with wonder that […]

  It’s time someone spoke up for the aggressive drivers of the world.  You know, the pushy ones who change lanes and wait until the last second to merge back when the lane ends.  The drivers who seek out the fastest moving track on the roadway in an effort to get where they’re going more quickly. […]

  My friend Jules told me to get rid of the eraser and I did.  Never go backwards. I feel what’s happening on the paper and if I really don’t like it, move to a different part of the paper or start over.  That was Leonardo’s advice.  I use a 9B pencil exclusively and I […]

We have a guest contributor who has truly overcome his cynicism regarding the Green Movement and has reached a level of understanding we can all appreciate.  This is from Nicholas ….   Cut those trees shading your roof and burn them in your new efficient wood burning stove (made in USA). Plant corn in their […]

Once in a while I come up with an idea that’s truly golden, and it just happened again.  This is great.  An idea that could potentially save consumers billions of dollars while at the same time eliminating clutter from their countertops, pockets, and purses.  It will simplify and enhance the gift-giving experience by offering a […]

  My friend Emma is excited about the new PhotoVoltaic Solar system which is coming to be installed on her roof very soon.  I understand her anticipation because she was guaranteed it will save her more than $83,000.00 in electric bills in the next 20 years.  That’s a lot of savings!  Emma is smart and […]