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. . . . .

Five Feet from Glory. . . . .

On By scottpetersenIn Hole in OneLeave a comment

I enjoy golf.   I practice.  I play.  I’m not great – but I’m not bad either. I occasionally watch pro events on TV though I miss seeing Tiger in the hunt.  When I do play, I welcome the par 3’s because I know that there is a chance. . . . .

In my post of August 13, 2011, I spoke of a brush with glory.  A 205 yard par 3.  Wind against.  And I popped my Pro V1 less than a foot from the pin.   Twelve inches.   304.8 millimeters. 

So on those par 3’s, I take a bit more time.  Added thought about club selection.  And special care on the implementation of all 49 of my swing thoughts.  Or is it 50?   Sometimes my ball ends up right, left or short – though usually it’s on or near the green.  Once in a while, it’s a few feet away from glory.    

I have friends who have had a hole-in-one.  But so far I remain a virgin.  Just like my father – who never had an ace in nearly seven decades playing golf. Maybe one day.   With my luck, it will be on a Saturday when there is a special event.  And the Club is jammed with people.  Of course I will have to buy drinks for everyone.  Just ducky. But if that’s the only option, I’ll take it. . . . .     

Louis L’Amour

On By scottpetersenIn Louis L'Amour, ShalakoLeave a comment

[An oldie from June 21, 2012] In 1981, there was a center column article in the Wall Street Journal about an author who wrote about the Old West — Louis L’Amour.  Having spent some formative time out West when I was young, I read the article with considerable interest.  A few weeks later, while walking near my house with my 5 year old daughter,  we happened on a garage sale and went in.  In rummaging through the books, I found a battered paperback copy of Shalako by Louis L’Amour.  Hmmmm . . . . . Louis L’Amour.   For one thin dime, I bought the book.  And read it.   And was hooked. 

In the ensuing years, I read all 105 or so of his novels.  I think I still have them all – in a box – in the attic.  Some I’ve read twice.   What drew me to Louis L’Amour (1908-1988) was more than the tales of the Old West.  It was his inimitable style.  The good guys were good.  Good men.  Tough yet compassionate.  The women were always good.  Nurturing.  And sweet.  But mess with them and they’d carve you up one side and down the other. . . .  And the bad guys were very very bad.  And I relished when the bad guys got their just reward.  Which they usually did.   Whiskey for my men and beer for my horses. . . .

Some of L’Amour’s books have become movies.  Ironically, Shalako – my first read – had been a 1968 movie starring Sean Connery, Brigitte Bardot and Honor Blackman.  I’ve never seen the movie.  It’s still on my list.  If you’re looking for a light – meaningful – read, give Louis a try.  You won’t be disappointed.   

Trump tariffs . . . and reaching accord

On By scottpetersenIn Peggy Noonan, Trump tariffs1 Comment

On April 5th, Peggy Noonan’s column in The Wall Street Journal offered comment on Trump’s sudden escalation of tension between America and its allies — especially Canada — by dramatically increasing tariff levels (see https://peggynoonan.com/ ). Who isn’t troubled by Prime Minister Mark Carney’s comment that “The old relationship we had with the United States . . . . is over.” While it may be justified, I do believe this tariff thing could have been accomplished more productively. And amicably. So I sent a note to the Journal which was published in the Saturday/Sunday April 12 and 13 issue:

Ms. Noonan suggests that the U.S. should first try to work out its differences with Canada.  Having been an attorney for 53 years, I was involved in negotiations on a daily basis.  One thing I learned early about success:  be as nice as you can be and as tough as you have to be. One of the reasons that 85 to 90% of lawsuits settle before going to trial is that – if they advance, there is a 100% chance that someone will lose.  Thus the resolution of differences is like drinking a warm Pepsi Cola on a hot day.  It isn’t particularly satisfying but it’s better than ongoing thirst.

The decision to spring massive tariffs on our neighbors, allies and the world without the benefit of rational discussion is like going to trial.  America may lose — and perhaps stay thirsty.

From reading subsequent articles and editorials (and follow up comments), I gather that most folks believe the same objective could have been achieved without the hostility. And antagonism. What do you think?

The Seder

On By scottpetersenIn Passover, The SederLeave a comment

[A timely repeat from May 4, 2017]  Years ago, I was asked to teach Sunday School at our Lutheran church.  A September to May obligation.  I said “sure” and was promptly given the 6th grade class.  We had a textbook which I was supposed to use religiously (no pun intended).   But I have to confess that from the beginning I often ad-libbed.  Uh oh – Mister Petersen is going rogue . . . . .

While I stayed with the basics of the curriculum, I took liberty to discuss relevant questions within the context of the day’s chapter.  And I would bring in occasional people and things to enhance the one hour class.  The most memorable improv was when I conducted a Seder at the time of Passover.  I enlisted the help of two Jewish friends for guidance.   One gave me the blue Haggadah (the order of the Seder) which was in English and in Hebrew (I still have it).  And both tutored me in this solemn ritual.  They wanted to make sure I had the protocol down to a tev (or “t”).

Donna helped prepare the kosher meal.  And I set the table in the 6th grade area.  Plates, platters and potables (grape juice instead of wine).   Then the students began to arrive.  They looked around like – whoa! Mister Petersen is off the grid.  And they sat down – and I began with an explanation of Passover.  And the Seder.  And its significance.  And a Passover prayer.  The hour went quickly.  Elijah made his obligatory appearance.  The food was consumed.  And I did the cleanup.  I guess I did okay because the next year I was asked to continue teaching 6th grade Sunday School.  I did so until finally one year I said “no mas.”   

Fast forward twenty plus years.  The Sunday School Seder was long forgotten.  Until we saw some old friends from church.  And their son Eric.  He walked right up to me “hello Mister Petersen!”  And he immediately began to bubble about the Seder being the most memorable time of his Sunday School career.  Gosh.  Kinda makes me wish I hadn’t said “no mas.”      

It’s all about the dash

On By scottpetersenIn Dr. J, Julius ErvingLeave a comment

[A repeat from March 23, 2017]  I read an interview with Julius Erving – Dr. J – the legendary star of the Philadelphia 76ers. Dr. J was asked the question “What’s the best advice you ever got?”   He responded that it was learning one simple lesson: “It’s all about the dash.” The “dash” . . . . .

Dr. J explained that in the cemetery, every tombstone has two numbers: the year you were born and the year you die. And there’s a dash in between. THAT — Dr. J said — is what it’s all about. “The dash [is everything]. What you’ve done with your life and how you lived it are in that dash.” At some point, we are all going to have two numbers. And a dash.

In my post of April 26, 2014, I suggested that it’s better to be a thermostat than a thermometer. Thermostats take control. Thermostats are on the playing field. Scoring points. Making a difference. Making a dent. Thermometers sit back and . . . . just tell you the score. The dash on your tombstone can be a thermometer. Or a thermostat.

What’s in your dash?

Jumping out of airplanes

On By scottpetersenIn Jumping out of airplanesLeave a comment

First – it wasn’t me. . . . .

[A high flying repeat of April 17, 2014] Last Saturday, Donna, Lauren, Trent, Eve and I drove out to Rock Island, Illinois, for an Augustana College alumni event.  On Sunday morning, we had brunch with friends and started our 3 hour drive home. One of us got very hungry along the way and we decided to stop at the Flight Deck Restaurant which is attached to the Rochelle Municipal Airport (Koritz Field) just off Interstate 88 at Route 251. Airport restaurants are known for good cuisine since pilots will often fly in for a meal and fly back out. Little did we know what adventure was in store. 

We sat and ordered.  Eve was hungry.  And wanted to move.  My granddaughter has one speed.  Fast forward.  So she and Trent walked outside – into a fenced buffer near the taxiway.  And Eve took off running with Trent speed-walking alongside.  I stayed inside – watching out the big window.  And then it happened.  Things started falling out of the sky.  Mercy!  They were sky divers – parachuting down.  Using rectangular (“square ram”) parachutes.  I dashed outside and watched another half dozen or float from the heavens and land — like they stepped off a curb — a sand wedge distance away.  This was a first for Eve.  And it was a first for me.   

We learned that another “stick” of sky divers would be floating down in 20 minutes or so.  It was easy to wait as our lunch arrived. After lunch, we went back out and watched another dozen or more float down and land with precision in the field.  Some were jumping tandem (2 on the parachute).  In all, it was really an incredible experience.  We learned that the airport is home to the Chicagoland Skydiving Center.  Skydivers jump from 18,000 feet(!) and land with pinpoint precision right outside the window of the restaurant. 

I told Donna it would be great to find a little B&B close by, drive out on a Friday and have dinner at the Flight Deck (recommended by the way) and maybe arrange a “jump” on Saturday morning.   The first part was fine.  The last part didn’t go over at all . . . . .

Grilled Peanut Butter

On By scottpetersenIn Grilled peanut butter sandwichLeave a comment

[Here’s a repeat from December 20, 2012] Did you ever have a special dish added to a restaurant menu?  I did.   Once.                                                                                                      

When I was in college, I was a night owl.  I studied until the wee hours.   Often as the second hand approached midnight, a few other guys and I would hitchhike to the Round the Clock Restaurant in downtown Rock Island.  And I would order a grilled peanut butter sandwich. With a dill pickle on the side.  And a tall glass of milk.  The interesting thing was that grilled peanut butter was not on the menu.  

Let’s back up a few months. It’s a zero dark thirty night at the Round the Clock, I had noticed a “peanut butter & jelly sandwich” on the menu.  I was not about to order a PB & J, but it occurred to me that a grilled peanut butter sandwich might be just the ticket.  We slid into the booth and I ordered a “grilled peanut butter sandwich.”  The waitress looked at me like I was a moon rock.  I said “same as a grilled cheese but use peanut butter instead of cheese.”   I felt like Jack Nicholson in the “Five Easy Pieces” diner scene.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wtfNE4z6a8  She walked away shaking her head.  She used gestures to explain the order at the window to the kitchen. She pointed at the nerdy kid in the booth. At least it worked (unlike Jack Nicholson’s experience).   

After a few weeks of this, when I walked in the door, the waitress would give me that knowing look “grilled peanut butter“?  she would ask.  I’d nod and smile “yes ma’am.”  A few months later, “Grilled Peanut Butter Sandwich” made its debut on the Round the Clock’s menu.  And I became a legend.  At least in my own mind.   

Therefore . . . .

On By scottpetersenIn Henry Joel Cadbury, Mother TeresaLeave a comment

[A repeat from May 18, 2021] Henry Joel Cadbury (1883-1974) was a Biblical scholar and Quaker historian. He served as a professor of divinity at Harvard. He was Chairman of the American Friends Service Committee. And he accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in 1947 on behalf of the Religious Society of Friends.

When addressing his fellow Quakers, he would often speak of how there are two kinds of people in the world: “Therefore” people and “However” people. He explained that when faced with life’s problems and difficulties, many folks will say “Therefore” I need to do something. “Therefore” I need to help. These folks would then go on to correct the problem – or seek ways in which to do so. It is the “Therefore” people who continually look for reasons, ways and means to help.

“However” people have a different view. When faced with the same problems or difficulties, their response might be “I see the problem, however there’s nothing I can do about it. . . . .” Cadbury’s conclusion was that the world needs more “Therefore” people. We each have the capacity — to be a “Therefore” person. Each day is an opportunity — to make a difference.

Mother Teresa’s eloquence gives inspiration to “Therefore” people:

I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.

Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.

Therefore. . . .

Word Quirks

On By scottpetersenIn Word quirks2 Comments

[A repeat from November 9, 2011] I have always been interested in language – and words.  And I began “collecting” interesting tidbits about words around the age of 10.  Here are some interesting facts that are fun to know.

Only 3 words in the English language have the vowels in perfect order:  facetious, arsenious (derived from arsenic) and abstemious (abstaining)

Longest word without repeating a letter:  uncopyrightable

Longest word you can type on the top row of a typewriter:  typewriter

Longest word typed with left hand:  stewardesses

Longest word typed with right hand:  lollipop

Only word derived from Malaysian language:  amok (to run amok)

Only one word has 3 consecutive double letters:  Bookkeeper.  Sweettooth is also one if spelled as one word

Only 3 words that are palindromes (same backwards as forwards):  racecar, kayak and level

Only one word ends in “mt”:  dreamt

Longest word without vowels (A – E – I – O 0r U):  rhythms

Longest one syllable word:  screeched

Most used letter in English language:  E

Least used letter:  Q