Category: Uncategorized

The Perfect Valentine’s Day Flower – The Peppermint Carnation

The peppermint carnation is my favorite flower because of what it represents. Carnations have a unique beauty and wonderful fragrance.  Unlike the more popular and expensive roses, carnations are low maintenance, and are not plagued by thorns, powdery mildew, and aphids. Carnations grow wild in several Mediterranean countries. In ancient Greece and Rome, carnations were … Continue reading The Perfect Valentine’s Day Flower – The Peppermint Carnation →

Tips for Talks and Lessons #4: Share Stories

Everybody loves stories. The best teachers and speakers are also storytellers. In winter, when the Vikings, Eskimos, and Native Americans, were hunkered down and isolated, the most popular person in the village was the story teller. Stories have always been a great source of entertainment and learning. Stories, both fiction and non-fiction, are a powerful … Continue reading Tips for Talks and Lessons #4: Share Stories →

Beware of Media Fear-Mongering

(Because of widespread fear, fear-mongering, conspiracy theories, I am reposting this article from 2020, in case you missed it) We are living in the most paranoid fear-mongering time in human history The news media is a billion-dollar industry. The more readers and viewers, the more advertising revenue. It is all about ratings and profits. To … Continue reading Beware of Media Fear-Mongering →

Beware: Fear-mongering Politicians

(Because of widespread fear, fear mongering, conspiracy advocates, I am reposting this article from 2020. It is even more relevant today.) The Covid-19 virus pandemic has created an epidemic of media, special interest, and political fearmongering. Ever since Thomas Jefferson’s “dirty” campaign against John Adams in 1800, politicians have incited fear to get votes and … Continue reading Beware: Fear-mongering Politicians →

Tips for Talks and Lessons #3: Overcome Boredom with Variety

You cannot teach anything unless you capture and maintain the listeners' attention. This is the first rule of communication. Maintain Interest: Overcome the Propensity for Boredom Humans have a great capacity for boredom. For example, in high school I was fed the same dinner three times a week at a private restaurant where I worked. … Continue reading Tips for Talks and Lessons #3: Overcome Boredom with Variety →

Father is Prosecuted for Killing the Stranger’s Pitbull that Mutilated his Baby Son

"Court Case Friday" My next door colleague presided over a difficult case that gained national publicity. Pitbull Attacks Baby A father was walking with his two-year-old son on the sidewalk in a strip mall. Outside one of the bars, a man had tied his pitbull to a pole while he went inside. As the father … Continue reading Father is Prosecuted for Killing the Stranger’s Pitbull that Mutilated his Baby Son →

Tips for Talks and Lessons #2 :  Never Start with an Excuse, Disclaimer or Apology

I remember a sacrament talk where the speaker began: “I really don’t have much to say.”  After twenty minutes, he proved his point. Every talk and lesson should start with an “attention-grabber.” Never start with an excuse, disclaimer, or apology. Never start with an “I don’t want to be here” opener. These are “turn offs” … Continue reading Tips for Talks and Lessons #2 :  Never Start with an Excuse, Disclaimer or Apology →

Tips for Talks and Lessons #1: The First Rule of Communication

This Series and My Background Over the years, I have learned a few things about public speaking and teaching. I have given around 3750 lessons and talks. Plus my college "minor" was "Speech Performance." In this series I will share some things that you might find helpful. You cannot teach anything unless you capture and … Continue reading Tips for Talks and Lessons #1: The First Rule of Communication →

Can YOU Spot the Forgery Clues?

"Court Case Friday" I presided over a misdemeanor case where the prosecutor agreed to dismiss the charges if the defendant completed 10 AA meetings.  The defendant submitted documentary proof, and the D.A. dismissed the case.  Afterward, I looked at the document, and I believe it is a fake. The defendant worked very hard at making … Continue reading Can YOU Spot the Forgery Clues? →