from-doc-dave

[from-doc-dave]

The Art of Marginalia: Capturing Thoughts in Books

Whether a marginal note, comment, reference, or illumination, books I have read multiple times will be adorned. I know. I hear the muffled voices, “You do NOT write in books. Just does NOT happen.” I must admit that many of the books in my library have been adorned with marginalia. These notes are questions I capture as I read. To be answered later or serve as rhetorical questions requiring…

[from-doc-dave]

A little Thoreau

Every morning was a cheerful invitation to make my life of equal simplicity, and may I say innocence, with Nature herself. -Henry David Thoreau, Walden, 1854. Not sure how you approach the morning, but let me share mornings from where I watch. I’ve seen sunrise in New Mexico that just confidently welcome the day. A bright array of colors starts slowly peeking over the horizon. It is such a…

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So much to say, but …

Never could have seen or imagined things occurring here, and now. It was just yesterday. Maybe this past weekend. Time just blurred. I have worked for many employers over many years. From a local grocery store, newspaper delivery, fast food chains, local restaurants I have seen many jobs come and go. Some were short-term and others were longer; employment depended at times on the bosses,…

[from-doc-dave]

Angel

Setting in my chair this evening watching the snow fall still. Mom and I had a bowl of cabbage and potato soup. Dishes in the dish washer. A knock at the door. Neither of us were expecting anyone.  A fellow asked if we needed anything shoveled. I was having problems speaking and the fellow was patient and waited until words returned to me. I said that the ramp was important. He went to his…

[from-doc-dave]

Books to read

I am about halfway through Megan Kate Nelson’s “The Three-Cornered War”. A wonderfully written history of the Union Army, the Confederate Army, and Native Tribes in the Southwest, and the battles to claim the West. Exceptional and detailed primary sources, endnotes all linking the past together. After setting through Oklahoma History in the 1970’s and later learning how the history taught in…

[from-doc-dave]

Something to think about

At the recent Veteran’s Day parade, something that made sense immediately was given to me. I didn’t have to stop and think a lot about it. When a flag is retired it is done so with dignity and solemnity. Some have seen the retirement with the local American Legion or the Boy Scouts performing this ceremony. I was presented with two of these. If you have served this nation you will know how the…

[from-doc-dave]

Two holidays

It might surprise you, or it may not, but my answer was formed after my separation from service on September 19, 1996. Yes, there needs to be more unintended confusion about both holidays. From this veteran’s perspective, it is easy to see how confusion still exists. To me, Memorial Day has been a much more somber day. I’ve never been to Arlington for the services, but after watching them, I must…

[from-doc-dave]

Knowing it’s time

How do you manage screen time for yourself? Sometimes, the best thing I can do comma is simply turn things off. It’s so easy to lose track of time. Reading posts, writing updates, and seeking connection when there is no connection available. If I’m looking for answers and nothing comes to mind, it’s time to turn things off. If I’m posting on social media and no one responds, it’s time to find…

[from-doc-dave]

Vote

Vote. Your vote is your voice. It is YOUR vote. Vote.

[from-doc-dave]

Reviving Old Shed Doors: My Journey

It’s just something that I stop and think about. These are the doors that were on my shed. Heavy and solid. Over time, they started to bow. They pulled away from the screws that held the hinges to the shed. They were not working as well as they did in the past. My best guess is that the shed was built in 2000. So, it has been up for almost a quarter of a century. And with the weather here in…

[from-doc-dave]

Freedom

What’s a topic or issue about which you’ve changed your mind? Border between East and West Germany 1985 Thirty-five years ago, the “WALL” started to come down, dividing West Germany and the DDR. People were given the opportunity to be “free” for the first time since the WALL went up in 1961. East Berlin looked oppressive and foreboding … dark and dreary. There was little on the shelves of the…