Month: October 2024

Marshall

On By scottpetersenIn Hurricane Helene, Marshall, NCLeave a comment

Marshall, North Carolina is a small town of roughly 700 people in the western part of North Carolina. Hurricane Helene brought this humble town to its knees. Stepped on it. And squashed it. There have been numerous articles and even videos which portray the complete devastation that Marshall has suffered. Spend 3 minutes and watch – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJbyYYh0Dl8 If you don’t have 3 minutes – spend one minute and watch a newscast about the devastation in Marshall https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxvISLYCrZc

The reason I write about Marshall is because I have a good friend – a golfing buddy – who has a cabin in Marshall. A few weeks, Jerry and his wife Judi, loaded their car with appliances, clothes and cash and drove down to Marshall – where they spent their days and evenings working with the locals. I told Jerry that I would like to help. To contribute to the efforts of the people in Marshall. After some back and forth, Jerry mentioned that the churches in the area have been heroic – in helping everyone. And he mentioned one church that has been of particular help. It is Freedom Christian Church – 7350 U.S. 25/70 – Marshall, NC 28753 – c/o Pastor Dennis Anderson. Sooooo. . . I sent off a check Priority Mail – which is now being used to help fund an 80 year old widow and her daughter (also a widow) to find accommodation. I will be mailing another check within the week.

In 1835, Alexis de Tocqueville published his classic work Democracy in America. He wrote “America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.” Please consider this post as a PSA – Public Service Announcement – and not a commercial. If anyone feels like making a contribution, this would be a “good” cause to do so.

Did you shave?

On By scottpetersenIn Did you shave?2 Comments

[A repeat from September 4, 2014] I golf a couple times a week.  If I get up early, I hop in the shower, dry off, and dress in the space of 7 or 8 minutes.  I normally don’t shave unless I have to “go somewhere.”  Last weekend, I went off to play golf.  Donna was up.  She gave me a quizzical look.  “Did you shave?” she asked.  “Nah.  I’m just playing golf.”  “Don’t you think you should shave?”  She asked.   “Nah.  Nobody notices,” I replied.  She gave me another “look” and I made a hasty exit. 

Now I have to say that I have never – never – said to Jim, Bill, Tim or Joe “Psssst . . . did you see Norm?  He didn’t shave this morning.”   I have never observed that one of my brethren had not taken Barbasol and Schick to face.  Frankly, I probably wouldn’t notice if a guy hadn’t shaved unless he started to look like Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top.  “Hey Mark – did you shave this morning?”  “Scott – I haven’t shaved in six months.”  Golly I never noticed.   I’m not sure what the big deal is about shaving.  But whenever we go anywhere, I inevitably get the question “did you shave?”  Most of the time, I come up with the right answer.       

In my house, I make all of the big important decisions. Donna makes all of the piddly ones. However Donna is the one who decides what decisions are “big” and which are “piddly.”   Shaving, it seems, is one that borders on piddly . . . .

The cool side of the pillow

On By scottpetersenIn The cool side of the pillowLeave a comment

On January 16, 2020, I offered some thoughts on how I try to go back to sleep when I wake up at 3:00 in the morning (unclench hands, deep breathing, the lazy face and don’t bend the ears). On June 16, 2021, I added another dimension that – over the years – I have found very helpful in getting back to sleep. Phosphenes. The little electrical picture show that the eyes see when the world is dark. It was once called the “prisoner’s cinema” given that in solitary confinement, phosphenes would still be present. Blind people will sometimes rub their eyes to stimulate phosphenes.

Let me toss another idea into the ring — the cool side of the pillow. When I wake up in the middle of the night, my pillow is warm. And somewhat collapsed. And so, I will often reach back – give the pillow a fluff – and drop it down with a different (and cool) side. Ahhhhhh. . . . .

I frankly thought that my idea – “the cool side of the pillow” – was unique. That I was amazingly perceptive. Wise. Learned. Sagacious. And that in the history of the world, no one had ever come up with this idea – much less the term. Sorry Socrates. . . . . I Googled the expression and learned that many others have palavered about the “cool side of the pillow.” There’s even a song of this title by Kyle Dion.

Just call me Solomon

On By scottpetersenIn Happy Socks, Just Call me SolomonLeave a comment

[A repeat from December 21, 2017] In my post of April 2, 2017, I discussed the gift of colorful and quirky “Happy Socks” that my granddaughters gave me last Christmas.  I have more than a dozen pair and I now wear them every day.  But as in all cases, the past is prologue. . . .   

My granddaughters had a sleepover at our house earlier this week.  Next morning, I got dressed and called out the door offering Eve and Elin the option of selecting the Happy Socks that I would wear to work.  The two of them (ages 3 and 6) bolted in, pulled open my sock drawer and began perusing the choices.  Each held up a different pair.  And insisted that I wear “their” pair.  I asked that they confer (something the U.S. Congress doesn’t do very well) to come up with one pair that I ought wear.  No deal.  Each wanted me to wear “their” pair. . . . .

Please understand that I am not as dumb as I look.  So we reached a compromise.  For the first time in my life — I agreed to wear two highly different colorful socks to work.   My granddaughters looked at each other and grinned like – he really is as dumb as he looks.  And squealed.  Each peeled off one sock and handed it to me.  I sat down and put them on.   The good news is that I told no one else about my wardrobe issue.  No one looked at my feet.  And no one (that I could tell) noticed during the day.  I arrived home unscathed from my Solomonic decision.   That said – I tossed the two socks down the laundry chute for washing.  And I will await their delivery — to reunite them with their rightful partner. . . . .   

Scott – Give me two dollars

On By scottpetersenIn The Lottery1 Comment

It was probably early 1994. My secretary came into my office and asked me for two dollars. “What’s this for?” I said – reaching in my pocket for some bills. “We’re playing the lottery!” she said. I’d never done that but – trying to be a good guy – I gave her two bucks. The next week it was the same thing “Scott – give me two dollars.” And I did. Every week for more than a year.

It was 7:50 a.m. on July 13, 1995. I was in my office – talking on the phone with Tom L – a lawyer in Huntsville, Texas. I sat with my feet on my desk – talking with Tom about a case. Suddenly two secretaries stood at my door – laughing and squealing. “Hang up the phone,” they said. I thought – this is unusual – and said “Tom – can you hold on a minute.” I put him on hold and asked “what’s going on?” They replied “have you heard?” I said “heard what?” And they laughed “YOU WON THE LOTTERY!!” And I started to hear yelling down the hall. After ending my conversation with Tom, I learned that our lottery group – 14 of us (2 attorneys and 12 secretaries) – had won the Illinois State Lottery – all 6 numbers – to the tune of $4.4 million. Divided 14 ways – and payable over the course of 20 years. It was still a nice chunk (you can do the math) and fortunately it wasn’t enough that anyone retired.

Some weeks later, lottery people came to our office and presented our group with a massive cardboard “check” for $4.4 million. It was billed as the “highest lottery payout” in history. The reason? Our office was on the 85th floor of Sears Tower. . . . .

Ylvis

On By scottpetersenIn Gangnam Style, YlvisLeave a comment

[An update from March 5, 2015] No, I don’t mean “Elvis.” Do you know about Ylvis?  Ylvis is a comedy team comprised of two Norwegian brothers (ages 33 and 36).  They’ve done some television gigs and recorded a few songs in Norway — famed hits like Kjempeform; Sammens Finner Vi Frem; and Jag Heter Finn (as I recall, this was our wedding song).   Anyway, one of their songs has rocketed this Nordic duo into the stratosphere of pop culture. 

In 2013, the brothers published a children’s book titled “What does the Fox Say.”  It soared to the top of the New York Times bestseller list for children.  And then they wrote a song.  Based on the title of their book.  WHOOOSH!!    It is the song – an electronic dance video – that draws the “wows.”  At the time it was first posted on September 3, 2013, this music video became the most intensely watched YouTube video of all time.  Today it has over 1.1 billion (with a “B“) views.  See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jofNR_WkoCE.  The music videos I referenced on January 5, 2014, aren’t even in the same league. 

If you don’t know Ylvis, you may not know Psy – the South Korean phenom.   “What does the Fox Say” pales in comparison to Psy’s incredible “Gangnam Style” video (see  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bZkp7q19f0 ).   Psy’s electronic dance video is number 10 on the most watched – ever – video list with 5.2 billion views.  Very cool.  I really gotta learn to speak Korean. . . .    

The All Blacks

On By scottpetersenIn All Blacks, Haka1 Comment

[A repeat from May 7, 2017] Rugby was first introduced in New Zealand in 1870.  The Kiwi team adopted the name “The Originals.”  But in 1905 – during a tour of the British Isles – the team became known as the “All Blacks” because of their uniforms.  And the name stuck.

The All Blacks are the greatest rugby team in the world.  Since the introduction of World Rugby Rankings in 2003, All Blacks have held the number one ranking longer than all other teams – combined!   And they have been the World Rugby Team of the Year ten times since the award was created in 2001.  

Before each international match, the All Blacks perform a “haka” — a Maori challenge to the opposition.  I can’t explain it.  Please — spend 2-1/2 minutes and watch the following video (or use this link – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiKFYTFJ_kw ).  

I’m teaching my granddaughters the haka.  Words too.  I’m gonna start doing the haka on Saturday mornings on the first tee when I play golf.  Wearing my All Blacks’ hat.  Ka mate!  Ka mate!    

Ka ora!  Ka ora!  Whiti te ra! 

The Boy Scouts of America

On By scottpetersenIn Boy Scouts of America, Eagle Scout, Young men who struggleLeave a comment

The Wall Street Journal on September 30, 2024, featured an article detailing how young men in America are struggling. Badly. They are struggling with independence, education, manhood, self-image, being an adult and achievement. Young women on the other hand are in the fast lane — moving forward in all departments. Why is this happening?

According to the Pentagon’s 2020 Military Available Study showed that more than 71% of young Americans (mainly young men) are ineligible for military service due to obesity, criminal history, drug and alcohol abuse, physical and mental health and other reasons. What’s going on?

If you Google the issue, you will find an abbondanza of articles, reasons and solutions. One solution I have not (yet) seen in any of the on and off line treatises is to get your son/grandson to join the Boy Scouts of America. Some here will know that being a Boy Scout – and Eagle Scout – was pivotal to my being the person I am today. Scouting instills discipline, values, character and an education on a wide-ranging spectrum of topics. While it is always better if a father can be involved, Scouting is key. I am still in an email chain with more than a dozen Eagle Scout friends from 60+ years ago (doctors, lawyers, veterinarians, pilots, publishers, entrepreneurs, teachers, clergy).

Oh and as to the “abuse” claims? I wouldn’t be too concerned. While some are legitimate, there was a good deal of fraud peppered into the claims. Check it out. I blame the lawyers who are concerned only with the money.

Sticks and Stones . . .

On By scottpetersenIn Sticks and stonesLeave a comment

[An oldie from September 24, 2015] When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.    Although ships are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a small rudder . . . . .   Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.  The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. . . . animals have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue.  It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.  James 3:3-6

I must confess that there are times – especially when discussing politics – that I really want to be honest.  But I usually don’t take the bait.  Because some people will just not listen to contrary opinion.  And furthermore, words – once said – cannot be retrieved.  As Omar Khayyam observes:  “The moving finger writes and having writ, moves on.  Nor all your piety nor wit can call back half a line.  Nor all your tears wash out a word of it.”

There is thus good reason to just listen to those with whom we disagree. Before we speak. Here are words of wisdom from two wise men. Gautama Buddha said “If your mouth is open, you’re not learning.“ My father always advised “think before you speak.”   Usually I succeed.  Politicians usually do not . . . .