Stories Short and Strange
17 short stories for general audiences ranging from the unusual to the unbelievable to the just plain strange.
How Do You Tie a New Country Together?
Think back to the early days of our country. We were a collection of 13 disparate colonies, each with a unique reason for being. We had just won our independence by throwing off an authoritarian king and now we were suspicious of a strong central government. How do you pull a country like that together?
The Amazing Maasai
In my last post, I mentioned traveling to Kenya as a kind of homage to all the great runners who have come from that region. Not only did I get to see some iconic wildlife up close and personal, but I supported girls’ education by participating in the Amazing Maasai Marathon (http://www.marathontours.com/races/amazing-maasai-marathon-333). The Maasai tribe
Thoughts on World Travel
I’ve just returned from an amazing trip to Kenya and Tanzania, which I will write about in the upcoming weeks. I describe this trip as amazing because it was both ambitious and exotic, visiting places most people never see. This is a shame because these people have proud cultures stretching back thousands of years, and
The Complicated Lives of Fireflies
I grew up on a farm in western Ohio, and every summer I can remember watching lightening bugs from my bedroom window. But like everything else in this world, it’s complicated. First, most people call them fireflies. According to an entry in the July 7, 2017 Smithsonian magazine’s VIP newsletter by Jason Bittel, they are
Is Cyberwarfare Our Greatest Threat?
I grew up during the height of the Cold War, when every home-improvement show we attended had a model bomb shelter. Thankfully, we won that one. But today we may face a threat that is even more insidiously dangerous. I’m sure you’ve heard the accusations that Russia was behind the email hacks during the 2016
Of What Good Is Basic Scientific Research?
Have you ever read about scientific research and thought, “Well, that’s a waste of time”? The truth is we never know where our ideas will lead. Benjamin Franklin was watching an early flight of a hot-air balloon when another spectator remarked, “But of what good is it?” Franklin replied, “Of what good is a newborn
Looking For An Unusual Vacation?
Some people prefer the offbeat when they travel. (I’m trying something different this year; you’ll get a full report if I can pull it off.) I’ve just found something that appeals to those who also want to help the environment. It’s called SANCCOB — South African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (https://sanccob.co.za/ ).
The Joys of International Travel — Fish Edition
Recently I saw a picture on social media of a friend eating fish in some exotic local. Except it was a complete, whole, entirely intact fish. I had a similar experience in Greece a few years ago. Our tour group was taken to this quaint seaside cafe for lunch, and the plate set before me
A 4th of July Poem
Happy 4th of July! This year I’m reprising my poem about patriotism. I wrote it sometime about 2010 and posted it last year (and it’s in my book Some Poems About Life, available on this website), but I think it’s still apropos today. The Patriot Jerry is a patriot, he loves his country dear.
The Real Purpose of the Declaration of Independence
The June 2017 issue of the Smithsonian VIP Newsletter has given me something new to think about for this 4th of July. In the “Ask Smithsonian” section was the following question — Who was the intended audience for the Declaration of Independence? The answer will probably surprise you. The standard narrative of the Declaration of