History is so much more than dates and the names of people deemed important by those who write it down and publish their works. “Do you know your great-grandmother? What was her name and how many children did she bear? What was your great-grandmother’s occupation?” These questions form the beginning of the “From the Author”…
While thrift is alive and well in some cultures and sub-cultures, it is an unknown art in others. Thrift is a mindset than can develop in and from times of scarcity. It is also an abundance mindset that can appreciate how much value something can possess in multiple forms and uses. “The Old-time Art of…
Dave Epstein discusses two types of individuals and knowledge paths in his book, “Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World”. In our predominately urbanized world, the most frequently promoted path is that of the specialist. A specialist starts education and training early in one area. By focusing on that area, they gain an increasing…
The need for understanding geography doesn’t go away. Place matters as much as it ever did. However today, place looks different, as we have two spaces. We have physical spaces that individuals reside in and virtual spaces in which we choose to engage. Geographic Characteristics of Physical Spaces Physical spaces have remained relatively the…
Wars, rumors of war, births, unexpected deaths, floods, famine, etc. are not new. It can be easy to forget that. Easy to narrow our focus to what is right in front of us when we are going through disruptions; but disruptions aren’t new. The things that can upend our plans aren’t new either, though…
Sometimes we plan for one eventuality, but then find ourselves having to confront another. When this happens, plans must change. That doesn’t mean your plan failed. It just means that you have to adjust your plan. The most important thing to remember about planning is that it requires you to take time out of…
I’m often asked “Why plan? Things never work out as expected.” Often, that is true. Plans don’t work unless you do. It is not enough to create a plan, you need to refer to it regularly and implement it. Execution is key. Otherwise, your plan does fail. Working your plan, however, doesn’t mean it…
Plans shape and influence our lives. Governments at all levels have plans. So do businesses, schools and many other entities. They may be short term plans for things such as a graduation ceremony, temporary street closure, or a first-time homebuyer seminar. They may be midterm plans to establish budgeting priorities for the upcoming school…
Who doesn’t have a memory or story about a dish a relative, friend, neighbor or one of your parents made that you really liked or couldn’t stand? What about certain dishes at church and community potlucks, school lunches or your favorite local restaurant? Community is created when we share food with one another. The…