I mean, there just ain’t a good place to go, no good place to meet someone, no good activity that will allow two mostly young people to get together and see if they can make some sparks to fly.  Continue reading
The Fourth of July is upon us, and I wanted to share some independent facts that many Americans may not have learned in history books or inside their classrooms.
The Declaration of Independence was first printed in a German-Speaking newspaper and not an English one. The Colony of Pennsylvania once had a large German population, and when people of what became the Keystone State voted on which language to use, German lost by only one vote. 
Thomas Jefferson finished writing the document within three weeks at the Graff House at 7th and Market Streets in Philadelphia. Initially, the famous phrase for “inalienable rights” included the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of property.
“Property” was what the Enlightenment philosopher John Locke suggested nearly a hundred years earlier in his treatise on government, but Jefferson and Philadelphia resident Ben Franklin both used the more upbeat term “Happiness.”
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The oldest signer of the Declaration was Franklin, who was 70 years old. He also took part in helping to frame the Constitution written more than 11 years later. The youngest was 26-year-old Edward Rutledge. A lawyer from South Carolina.
When the document was read by the commander of the Continental forces in New York City, a raucous crowd cheered George Washington. It later tore down a statue of King George III, which was converted into 42,000 musket balls for the army.
In 1989, a Philadelphia man found an original Dunlap Broadside copy of the Declaration of Independence hidden in the back of a picture frame he bought at a flea market for $4. One of only a few surviving copies from the original first printing of the Declaration, it was in excellent condition and sold for $8.1 million in 2000.
Only one-third of the colonies supported the rebels. Another third favored the Tories, and the remaining third just didn’t care one way or another, according to John Adams of Massachusetts and the first vice president. He later became the nation’s second president. That figure has been raised to nearly 40 percent support for the Revolution and only 20 percent for the British Loyalists. The others were either neutral or kept a low profile.
The very last words spoken by Adams were “Thomas Jefferson still lives,” according to historical accounts. Jefferson had passed away hours earlier, but Adams did not get the text message, and he had muttered the words before typhoid overcame him. (Only kidding about the text message!)
While I am still able to recall in some detail highlights of my early life before true adulthood, I decided to write them down for future generations and others who may want to commiserate with my adventures and misadventures.  Continue reading
I voted at home today, and I can’t wait to put the written ballot in the slot opening at my local Post Office.  Continue reading
I meditated this morning and realized there were few, if any, sounds coming from the street outside my home. Traffic usually provides noise from cars and trucks as motorists make their way along the suburban road in Conshohocken, PA, some 14 miles outside of Philadelphia.  Continue reading
I exercise daily and try to get enough steps each day to add up to two miles. That’s around 6,250 steps if anyone is counting.
“It’s snowing!” is what Phoenyx happily announced to the household as the nine-year-old made her way up to the third floor at 6:58 am this morning.  Continue reading
He doesn’t play with me like he used to. I’d be the first thing he’d grab and put on his head when he went outside and pretend that he was Davy Crockett. A coonskin hat was meant for little boys and those wanting to be “King of the Wild Frontier.” But he has seen me less and less since that white plastic ball entered his life and got him swinging at it. Continue reading
It struck me as I slowly made my way from the floor of the plane and stood in the center of the walkway. There were at least 30 other soldiers on the C-140, a military aircraft that was flying over the field where those of us in jump school would soon be taking our first jump.  Continue reading
Flying from the ground on up has been a persistent dream of mine, and I wonder if I was some sort of a bird in a previous life.
Don’t laugh. I believe in Reincarnation and there is something about the company of birds I really like. Whenever I saw a bird, I felt it was a good omen.
I cannot recall the one and only time I saw myself perform on television with my singing group, even though it was one of the highlights of my life.
Alexander giggled like a schoolboy as 40 of us gathered for a service on Sunday and quietly attempted to meditate for about 30 minutes.
– a student of Losang Samten. Tibetan Buddhist Monk
My Uncle Mike was a grizzly white haired Greek who spoke little to no English when my father invited him to stay in our house in North Philadelphia. I don’t know if he really was a blood relative, but he was one of the meanest mother-humpers I had ever come into contact with as a child. Continue reading
I can think of no worse place to be than in a church, a temple, or a synagogue when an unbidden and involuntary giggle would invade my psyche and take control of me. A “giggle” is too mild a word: uncontrollable laughter would rise to the level of guffaws and downright knee-slappers, right at the most somber parts of a religious service. Continue reading
Contoveros 