Month: June 2023

Little Feet

On By scottpetersenIn Little FeetLeave a comment

[A valuable spring repeat from November 26, 2017]  When I was about 10 years old, I pestered my father to let me drive the family car.  Sooooo. . . . one Sunday, my dad let me drive home from Church.  Not all the way – but the last mile or so — on a road that was pretty vacant and ran in part along a corn field. I’d sit there peering over the steering wheel – my father with one hand on the wheel, one hand on the ignition and one hand on the gear shift.  From then on, I was the “Chuber” driver (“CHurch UBER“) on Sundays.  

Sometimes, my dad would take me to an empty parking lot and let me drive.  Round and round.  So I “learned” to drive at a pretty early age. When Lauren was about 12, I let her “drive” on occasional Saturday afternoons in our Church parking lot.  

My father had a lot of wisdom to impart to me in my formative years (which – Donna comments – are still in progress).  My dad always told me when driving to keep my “eyes moving.”  Watching.  Left.  Right.  Check the mirrors.  And he told me to always watch for “little feet.”  As I drive along a narrow street, I was told to glance forward — under the cars parked along the street.  Why?  Because you can see if there are little feet — on the other side — below the car.  And you can slow down.  It’s easy to see an adult standing by a car.  But there’s no way to see a child unless you see the “little feet” under the car you are approaching. 

I’m always watching for “little feet.”  Try it next time you’re driving.  Keep an eye out for little feet. . . . .

My Grandmother

On By scottpetersenIn Pacific Garden Mission, The knock at the doorLeave a comment

[A repeat from April 4, 2020] My grandmother – Ruth – would occasionally speak of the Great Depression – an agonizing time when unemployment skyrocketed and nearly everyone had financial problems. She said that periodically there would be a knock at the door. And a man would be standing there wearing coat and tie – with his “hat in hand.” Or it might be a lady in a dress.  “Ma’am, I’m just wondering if you have any food that you can spare.”

My grandparents did not have much.  But they went to Church every Sunday and they believed in charity — however small.  My grandfather – Frank – volunteered his time and scarce dollars to the venerable Pacific Garden Mission in downtown Chicago while my grandmother was busy raising three children.  But Grandma said that she would always answer that knock on the door.  She would tell the stranger to wait.  She would go to the kitchen, take a slice of bread and smear it with butter. Then sprinkle it with sugar. She would put it in a paper bag with an apple (if she had any) and give it to the grateful stranger.

We are going through unprecedented times. Many economists say that we are entering a recession. Some say it could be worse. . . .  Regardless of our means, I tend to think that each one of us will be receiving a “knock on the door.”  Whether from a charitable or religious organization, a family member or from a stranger.  The question is – will we answer the door. . . . ?   

Palindromes

On By scottpetersenIn PalindromesLeave a comment

[A summer repeat from April 16, 2012]

Can you say “Anna backwards“?  The usual response is “Anna.”  But the correct answer is “Anna backwards.” 

Anna is a “palindrome” (it is a word that reads the same forwards as backwards) just like Otto, Eve, Hannah and Elle.  “Anna sees Anna” is a palindrome.  “Did Hannah see bees Hannah did.”  Sure she did – backwards and forwards.  One of the first palindromes I learned was “Madam I’m Adam.”  Then there was “A man, a plan, a canal – Panama” referencing Teddy Roosevelt.  I began using palindromes for tutoring at Chicago Lights Tutoring (see prior posts).  “Read this backwards” I would say to the student.  And get blank stares.  And then suddenly – the lights (and smiles) went on.  šŸ™‚

Cigar?  Toss it in a can.  It is so tragic.

Enid and Edna dine.

Hey Roy!  Am I mayor?  Yeh!

My gym. 

Never odd or even. 

Now I won. 

Too bad I hid a boot. 

Was it a car or a cat I saw? 

Too hot to hoot!

Live not on evil.  

Mr. Owl ate my metal worm.

So Ida – Adios. 

Tuna roll or nut?

Stella won no wallets. 

The earliest recorded palindrome dates to 79 A.D.  In Latin, it is “Sator Arepo tenet opera rotas” (“the sower Arepo holds works wheels“).   The longest palindrome?  It’s 17,826 pretty random words.   No I won’t repeat it here . . . . .

Why Wildfires Have Gotten Worse

On By scottpetersenIn WildfiresLeave a comment

[A timely and unfortunate repeat from January 27, 2019] I have posted occasionally on TED Talks I watch while having lunch or working out. I just finished my chicken avocado sandwich while watching a TED Talk bearing the title above – “Why Wildfires have gotten Worse” by Dr. Paul Hessburg http://www.ted.com/talks/paul_hessburg_why_wildfires_have_gotten_worse_and_what_we_can_do_about_it#t-839042 . .             

Dr. Hessburg is a forest ecologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Forest Service. He has a doctorate in Forest Pathology from Oregon State University and he is an Affiliate Professor at the University of Washington. Dr. Hessburg’s message is that “unless we change . . . our forest and fire management habits . . . we will lose many more beloved forests. . . . ”  

On November 9th, the New York Times had an article titled “Why Does California Have So Many Wildfires.”  The answer – according to the Times is fourfold:  climate change; people (who start fires); fire suppression policies; and the Santa Ana winds.  Dr. Hessburg’s 14 minute video is an excellent primer which tracks in part the NYT article.  So why is the situation worse today?   Misguided forest management is a major reason. If you want the details, invest 14 minutes and watch his presentation.       

“Sully” – Redux

On By scottpetersenIn SullyLeave a comment

In response to my post “Sully” and the influential swing thought that I derived from it (“HEAD DOWN – STAY DOWN“), a friend suggested a scenario where that imperative might be ignored.

A very angry and discouraged golfer, having played 18 horrible holes, at the end of the round looked over at his caddie and pointed to the water hazard and said ā€œI think Iā€™m going to drown myself in that pond.ā€ To which his caddie replied, ā€œSir, that would be great – but do you think that you can keep your head down long enough?ā€Ā 

The angry golfer looked at the caddie and snarled “you must be the worst caddie in the world” to which the caddie replied “no sir – that would be too much of a coincidence. . . . ”