The Value of Being Specific

Posted by on Aug 31, 2010 | No Comments

As a young Captain I attended Air Force Squadron Officer’s School in Alabama. The communications instructor told a story that has stuck with me ever since. For years he used a personal example to tell of the importance of being specific in communications. One day he agreed to meet his wife right outside the J. […]

Right Words, Right Time

Posted by on Aug 17, 2010 | No Comments

When you say something can be even more important than what you say. My best personal example of that principle was when my wife, Laurie and I lived in Germany during the waning days of the Cold War. It was common to meet friends at the local Gasthaus where excellent German beer was cheaper than […]

Plight of the Old Dog

Posted by on Aug 6, 2010 | No Comments

Getting old stinks, but I’m not talking about me. Rascal, our cocker terrier mix will reach 15 years this October—about 103 in dog years. He used to run up to seven miles with me and be ready to keep going. Several years ago his vet put an end to that. Too hard on the old […]

No Tourist Left Behind

Posted by on Aug 2, 2010 | No Comments

Greek Sunrise “I saw them heading this way from the restaurant. How could they get lost? It’s only fifty yards away.” We were sitting on a tour bus on the island of Corfu experiencing one of my pet peeves of travel: the tourist who makes the entire group wait for them. Our guide had given […]