Random Thoughts

My feelings about the interesting world we live in

Pillars of Creation. Photo courtesy James Webb Telescope/NASA.

Here We Go Again…and Again

“Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims and their families.” Once again hollow meaningless words from leaders addressing another tragedy. Nothing more is done and life goes on as before. [Read full article]

No Consequences

“Hey Bill, I’m surprised to see you here.”

“Just getting a cup of coffee.”

“I thought you were in prison.”

“I was.”

“Weren’t you convicted of drug trafficking?” [Read full article]

More Random Thoughts

One each from rom J.R.R. Tolkien and Plato. [Read full article]

A Real Dichotomy

Thinking about the world we are living in today, I realized we are experiencing at least two realities at the same time. Millions of people are cheering on college and professional football. More are rooting for their favorite baseball team in the playoffs leading to the World Series. Then, at the same time, there is the slow coup being fostered by President Trump and his thugs. That’s despite people who are warning us about it every day. [Read full article]

Three More Random Thoughts

Winston Churchill, the word “Diddlysquat,” and what drink goes best with lasagna. [Read full article]

My Take on Leadership

Over the past 15-20 years I have often thought about leaders and the role they play in organizations. There have been untold quotes and any number of books written on the subject over the centuries, but they all seem to come to similar conclusions. [Read full article]

Let’s Call It What It Really Is

Donald Trump has made a big deal about his big beautiful tariffs. He is correct in saying they are generating money that is going into the US Treasury, but where is that money coming from? [Read full article]

Two More Random Thoughts

Why save the good stuff for later, and the perils of bi-annual kitchen cleaning. [Read full article]

A Coming to America Success Story

I recently read that people in the White House and Republicans in Congress are planning to name the Kennedy Center’s Opera House after Melania Trump. I thought buildings and public spaces were named after persons that were famous or notable for doing something noble or universally important. [Read full article]

Return the Statue of Liberty?

Should the United States consider returning the Statue of Liberty to France? I am beginning to think so. The statue was designed and built in France in the 1880s and given to the US as a symbol of independence, freedom, and democracy. The torch in Liberty’s outstretched hand is the light of hope, and the broken chains at her feet symbolize freedom and the end of slavery in this country. [Read full article]

Human Violence

Does man have some inherent DNA that predestines him to violence? All oral and written history is full of violent acts of one person or group toward another. Stories are full of greed, jealousy, anger, territorial disputes, religious intolerance, conquest, and other unknown reasons that resulted in violence and mayhem. [Read full article]

I Like Living on My Own

I guess it’s fortunate I like living alone and maybe always should have. I suppose many people can’t or don’t understand that when you think so much of our culture is based around friendships, relationships, marriage, and frequent personal interaction. When I think back about my life, I realize I have always liked being alone and leading my life as I wanted to. Some might call that selfish. If so then I am guilty. Unfortunately, my not standing up and following through with that commitment to myself has led to my disappointing several persons, mainly in romantic involvements. [Read full article]

Bombasts and Infantile Tantrums

Trump has posted two maps on his Truth Social network showing Canada as part of the United States. Really? Today I wonder if that may actually be in the offing after hearing the latest somewhat outlandish ramblings and threats made by our new president, who assumes office in two weeks. [Read full article]

My Hands

I was looking at my hands this morning and realized they look just like my dad’s did when he was about my present age. I have always been fascinated by the differences between people’s hands. Some are fat and pudgy, others are boney, some have long slender fingers, and others tiny. But whatever they look like, they are marvelous tools. [Read full article]

My Take on Listening to Music

Most songs before the 1950s, and certainly a lot since, were performed by singers with enhancing complements that allowed the lyrics to be heard up front. From Middle Ages madrigals to early blues to Broadway show tunes to country western to WWII ballads, singers were easy to hear and understand. Since rock and roll came along, so many (but not all) songs have been dominated by raging guitars and back beat drumming that drowned out the singers and so many performers seem to not enunciate clearly. [Read full article]

Manchego Cheese

A lonely figure sits under the broad umbrella of an encina tree escaping the stifling Andalusian sun while gently strumming his small guitar as his dogs maintain control of the slowly grazing flock in their charge. They all repeat this chorography day after day looking forward to the evening ritual of recovering the rich bounty the flock transformed from the organic carpet of the Earth to the so-prized silky liquid. Then at the hands of an alchemist… [Read full article]

Political Posts on Facebook

I personally don’t read or respond to political posts on Facebook. First, I don’t think many people are on Facebook for political information. Second, in this day and age it is difficult to tell the difference between truth and fiction. Third, the person posting is preaching to the choir. Few, if any, readers will be influenced by it. Fourth… [Read full article]

Random Observations Part 5

Words of wisdom from Confucius, Franz Kafka, Henry Ford, George Carlin, and yours truly. [Read full article]

Confused and Afraid

A couple of days ago a friend of mine posted on Facebook the following: “Trump is a jerk but I vote on policy not personality.” I can identify with deciding for policy positions most of the time, but not now. I know who she will be voting for in November and I took her statement to mean she will disregard his all-around disgusting and illegal behavior. I respect her right to think and vote the way she does, but I am mystified. [Read full article]

Random Observations Part 4

Moldy food, favorite songs, and an old leftovers dish. [Read full article]

Artificial Intelligence

It seems artificial intelligence, commonly known by the initials AI, has exploded into the mainstream in the last two or three years but in fact the large tech industry giants have been working on this technology for some time. Admittedly, I don’t know squat about it except what I hear hyped in the media, but I am going to offer my opinions about it anyway and will appreciate any reader’s comments or input. [Read full article]

Scary Times

I’ve spent some time recently researching the Heritage Foundation, its history, membership, and plans. I had no idea how influential it has been in our national government since its founding in the early 1970s by Joseph Coors and two others. Learning how much of the organization’s policies have been enacted by every administration since its inception is amazing to me. Its members connections to, and lobbying of, congress have been very effective. Maybe too much so in my opinion. [Read full article]

While I Paint Signs

Sometimes random thoughts enter my mind while I tediously paint signs. Today for no particular reason my CD of the soundtrack for the Indian movie Kal Ho Naa Ho ran through my brain. [Read full story]

Insects Deserve Sympathy Too

When I opened the shop door after skiing today, the first thing I saw was a dead stink bug on its back with its frail little appendages reaching for the sky. It looked like he/she (I assume stink bugs have only two genders unlike humans these days) was begging for one more flight. Seeing he/she made me wonder about its life. [Read full story]

Three from Mark Twain

Sail away from safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails, explore, dream, discover. It is wiser to find out than suppose. Always obey your parents when they are present. [Read full article]

My Life and Kafka

I’m not sure why, but a little while ago my brain flashed on Franz Kafka’s story Metamorphosis. I haven’t read it or even thought about it for probably 50 years, but I suddenly asked myself what if I turned into a bird. Would I be a big bird, little one, or maybe medium-sized. Would I be colorful like a blue jay or parrot, or bland like a sparrow. Would I be a graceful flyer like Jonathan Livingston Seagull or struggle like a turkey. [Read full article]

Random Observations Part 3

From Cheerios to fitted bed sheets, four quick thoughts rattling around in my brain. [Read full story]

The US Constitution, Laws, and the Role of Judges

When I was young, I wasn’t very aware of judges and the role they play in our society. I knew they sentenced criminals and not much else. Then when the civil rights movement began to get a lot of news coverage, I started to pay more attention, but still didn’t think about how and why legal rulings were so important in how society was changing. [Read full article]

Missing Important Information

Yesterday I had a routine yearly cardiology exam. At the end, my doctor sat back and asked if I had any questions. I looked at him and asked, “Do you know what I do professionally?” He looked a little surprised and sat back in his chair and said I guess we have never talked about that. I suppose he simply thought I am retired, but he has been my doctor for 24 years and had never asked what I do or did for work. [Read full article]

The St. Johns Bridge

I have mentioned the St. Johns Bridge in two of my stories about growing up in the St. Johns neighborhood in Portland, Oregon. I didn’t think much about it then, even though I walked across it and later drove across it many times. Seeing Debi Kopczak Dorman’s recent Facebook profile photo of the Bridge refreshed my fond memories of crossing it. [Read full article]

Memory Triggers

Today I was listening to music that was popular during my teenage years, and I suddenly felt a brief wave of nostalgia and some loneliness come over me. I don’t remember having those feelings before, but they did revive many memories of that time in my life. [Read full article]

Truth or Consequences

For months I have read and heard statements from reputable politicians, media people, and Washington, D.C. insiders that many, if not most, elected Republican legislators say in private that they do not want Donald Trump to be the Republican Nominee in the upcoming election, but then refuse to confirm that, or instead actually say they support him, with their public statements. If those accounts are true, I find their two-faced position appalling. [Read full article]

Why Didn’t I Do It?

While I was doing some research on the internet for a story I was writing, I came across the YouTube post of a young woman who is in the middle of doing one of my unfulfilled fantasies. No, it’s not what you may be thinking. Remember the photograph of me holding the model sailboat I made in the 7th grade? Well, building that model started me thinking what fun it would be to spend who knows how long sailing solo around the world. [Read full article]

Can Guns and Common Sense Coexist?

I get it…guns don’t kill people, people with guns kill people. But with over 300 million guns owned legally and illegally in the United States, and more being purchased every day, the opportunity for violence using guns is ever present. I’ve been told violence using guns has been going down over the past several years and this is a good thing, but is the violence that is still occurring acceptable? [Read full article]

The Voyager Space Program

Last evening I watched the fascinating documentary about NASA’s design, implementation, and launch of the two Voyager space crafts in 1977. It is not a reach to say this may have been one of the most important scientific explorations of our universe and now interstellar space. It was a bold program designed to expand on NASA’s successes in the program to explore our moon. [Read full article]

More Thoughts About Oatmeal

I recently wrote a blog post about having to apologize to the Oatmeal in my pantry. My lifelong friend Joe Hoffman read it and sent me the following comment, which he was happy to have me post here. “Hey Ken: Don’t worry about the oatmeal’s feelings…” [Read full article]

Old Technology for the Win

There was an interesting but tragically funny story on NPR this morning, January 13, 2022. It seems the IRS has been so underfunded over the years its computer systems are almost impossible to hack into because they are so outdated no one remembers how they were created. [Read full article]

A Poem and Popcorn

Flannel sheets and down comforter. A cocoon for metamorphous. A place to play back memories. And visit friends and family long gone. [Read full article]

I Guess I’m Still a Rebel

I Guess I’m Still a rebel. I just had tacos on Monday. [Read full article]

Oatmeal Has Feelings Too

This morning I decided to have hot cereal for breakfast. I put water in a pot, put it on the stove, and opened the pantry. As I reached for the Cream of Wheat I realized I was apologizing to the oatmeal for not choosing it. [Read full article]

How to Win an Election

A few months ago I watched PBS’s Frontline documentary about the Republican efforts to thwart Barack Obama and the Democratic agenda starting with a meeting on inauguration night between Steve Bannon, Steven Miller, and Senator Jeff Sessions. It is amazing to me how three people with the media outlet Breitbart, financial backing, and right-wing radio and television blowhards were so successful. They recognized and capitalized on all the distrust, anger, and downright racial hatred carried by a lot of disgruntled white citizens. [Read full article]

My Pet Log

Yesterday Kris and I were having a text message conversation concerning my coming to Seattle for the weekend. He said I would be staying with him, and Montana and Hunter would also be there with their pet “log.” I know what he meant to say was pet “dog.” But I thought about it and realized a “log” would probably be a right pet for me.. [Read full article]

Another Major Turning Point

We came close to changing how this country is governed during and at the end of the last administration, but now it appears we are facing a more serious challenge in 2024. The highly polarized political environment and the culture wars that have boiled over have several origins, but they are being driven and magnified by media with an agenda, one major political figure, several minor figures, and, in my opinion, less than rational voters. [Read full article]

Celebration of Cuisines

Yesterday was International Cuisine Day in The Design Factory dining room. For breakfast: Pumpernickel French toast, American bacon, Costa Rican coffee. For lunch: Special chow mein, fried rice, sweet and sour chicken… [Read full article]

Does It Matter Which Goes First?

I understand they are called peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, but does it really matter if you put the jelly on first? Also, what if you put the cheese on the bottom of a ham and cheese sandwich? [Read full article]

On the Beach

Last evening I watched the movie “On the Beach” for a second time after many years. It is a fictional story about the aftermath of a major nuclear war in the northern hemisphere and is based on the novel by Nevil Shute. It is not violent or full of special effects, simply a story of how survivors would deal with, or not, the ultimate slow annihilation of all humankind due to radiation contamination. [Read full article]

So Much Talent

I know I have said it before but I never cease to be amazed at the amount and quality of talent in the world. Last evening I watched the two-hour celebration and introduction to Ken Burns’ latest documentary about the origins and evolution of country music in the United States. [Read full article]

On My Mind

While in the bathroom this morning I discovered my mind was meandering. That made me realize my mind is an interesting, if only abstract, ethereal “thing” that apparently occupies the space behind my eyes and between my ears. It then occurred to me that my mind controls everything about me. [Read full article]

The Causes and Effects of Climate Change

The majority of scientists are documenting conclusive evidence that the earth’s climate is definitely changing to the detriment of the environment. The data shows the earth’s climate changes accelerated after the industrial revolution that started over 150 years ago. That was when the need for fuels that could produce more heat needed to produce iron and all the other metals that were required to build everything that has made human living conditions better. [Read full article]

Two Very Short Stories

You won’t believe how they end. [Read full story]

My Thoughts on Immigration

Migration has been occurring in many living species throughout geological history for many reasons. The reasons can be as simple as needing to find better environments for survival, simple curiosity to see what it’s like “over there,” exploitation, or to move for better living conditions. It important to remember if we are not of Native American descent, we are all immigrants. And even Native Americans came here from somewhere else thousands of years ago. [Read full article]

Awakening

A short poem about getting up. [Read full article]

My Attention Span

Lately I have come to the conclusion that I have at least one entire squirrel family living in my head. [Read full article]

Interesting Use of Language

It was about the 7th grade when my male friends and I discovered and began to use swear words. It didn’t take us long to get pretty proficient and inventive in their use in our everyday conversions. Over the years my use of foul language has diminished, but on occasion, in mostly select male company, or when I make a mistake or do something stupid, I find myself uttering some choice words. [Read full article]

Music to Love

PBS produces a wonderful show called Great Performances. Last evening, I watched their program about the Spanish musical composer Isaac Albeniz who lived from 1860 until 1909. The show was about how he captured the essence of Spain with his music. Even though he was a virtuoso piano player, his music has been celebrated on the guitar ever since. [Read full story]

More Memorable Quotes

A favorite limerick, Albert Einstein, and The Red Green Show. [Read full article]

South Pacific, the Broadway Musical and Movie

Last evening I watched Rodgers and Hammerstein’s movie “South Pacific,” which was made after the successful run of the musical stage production on Broadway. I actually saw this movie many years ago when it first played in theatres, but I didn’t grasp the real meaning at the time. [Read full article]

How I Make Chili for Dinner

Throughout my life I have sometimes tried to follow a plan, just made it up, followed others advice, ignored my gut, just gone with the flow, and at other times simply wandered aimlessly in the hope that it would all work out. When I make chili I sort of have a plan and hope it all works out. [Read full article]

Memorable Quotes

For starters: “The good thing about science is that it is true whether you believe in it or not.” Neil deGrasse Tyson. [Read full article]

A Plastic-Free Life: Is It Possible?

Have you tried to eliminate plastic from your life in an effort to save the earth and oceans? About the only items I can purchase without plastic being used in some way are fruits and vegetables that I put into a reusable cloth bag. But even that bag had a plastic bottom that I had to throw away. [Read full article]

Random Observations Part 2

Sometimes the best solution is a glass of red wine and a warm nap. We are all a product of our generation and growing up environment. These and other random insights. [Read full article]

Why Do I Do It

Why do I do it? Drive 35-40 miles to lodge 1 on Mt. Spokane, park, grab my water bottle, and set out on a hike up the cat track to chair two and beyond—depending on the weather, how I feel, and the shape my legs are in. Let me count the whys. [Read full article]

Changing Environment Soundscape

I just listened to an interesting interview on NPR with a scientist who has been recording and analyzing sounds in the environment since 1988. He, as well as other scientists, have noticed considerable changes in our soundscape during the time he has been studying. [Read full article]

Have You Ever Thought About What Your Body Is Doing While You Are Not Thinking About It

Your heart, stomach, muscles, glands, brain, and more are all doing things to keep us upright and active. Aren’t human body functions amazing? [Read full article]

The Rise of Fascism

Last evening, I watched Rick Steves’ 2018 one hour special documenting the rise of fascism in Europe after WWI. It accurately but simply laid out the what, where, when, and how leaders played on the fears and hatred in people in a population that felt left out, behind, taken advantage of, or ignored—and got them to ultimately do unspeakable atrocities which culminated in the need for WWII to resolve. [Read full article]

Random Observations Part 1

A couple of days ago I read that grocery stores were starting senior shopping hours during the coronavirus pandemic. That got me sort of excited so this morning I got up early and went to two nearby stores. Unfortunately I didn’t find any seniors I was interested in purchasing and came home empty-handed. [Read full article]

Cost Versus Value

Throughout my personal and professional life, I have had to make a great many decisions both large and small. And when I look back, I realize there was always the need to analyze both the costs and values of the results of the final decision as best I could. [Read full article]

Guns in America

I have predicted more than once the past few years that America’s love for guns and using them to solve problems would continue to grow in frequency and result in terrible tragedy. Two nights ago in Kenosha, Wisconsin, my worst predictions came true. [Read full article]

Advertising

I was watching a football game this morning when a car commercial came on. As I was watching the commercial, I realized it, as well as all the other new car commercials I have seen the past few years, consistently display very fast and sometimes somewhat reckless driving. [Read full article]

A Great Cover of Pretty Woman

Sometimes random thoughts enter my mind while I am tediously painting signs. Today for no particular reason my CD of the Indian movie sound track “Kal Ho Naa Ho” ran through my brain. It really rocks in a much different way. [Read full article and watch video]

Pets

During this crazy time of Covid-19 I have discovered, like many others, it is reassuring to have a pet. Pets offer a diversion to discouraging daily events. Plus they offer unconditional love (as long as you pay a little attention and feed them) and many can be a lot of fun. To those ends I have adopted several pets. [Read full article]

Fantasies

The other night I watched the movie “Big” for the first time since Kirsten, and I think Kris, took me to see it in the theater in about 1988. Of course the moral of the story, if there is one, is this: Be careful what you wish for and fantasies are not always what they are cracked up to be. [Read full article]

Surviving in a Pandemic

Twenty years ago I wrote a letter to my son, Kris, to describe my perspective on how several decisions we make and milestones that occur change our lives direction and outcome. Now, in 2020, all our lives are changing, maybe forever, through no personal decisions or milestones. [Read full article]

Elon Musk’s Spaceman

I love what Elon Musk just did! He launched the world’s largest rocket into space and returned two of the three boosters to land vertical so they can be reused. Unfortunately the third missed its landing platform, but no one has been able to return and reuse boosters before except the SpaceX team. But this is not what I love the most. [Read full article]