"Fun Facts Saturday" My Scottish ancestors have a reputation for being brave, fierce fighters. They also have a reputation for being: Miserly Thrifty Cheap Chintzy Frugal Stingy “Careful with money” “Penny-pinching” "Tight-fisted" No one knows how or when the “Scots-are-Cheap” stereotype started. It is at least 400 years old. "Originally it reflected Scots' poverty and … Continue reading “Scots-are-Cheap” Stereotype
"Court Case Friday" I try to "act" dignified in my courtroom, especially during jury trials. Sometimes I fail. Hair Spray for the Throat I was presiding over a very intense and stressful jury trial. I had a bad sore throat that made it difficult to talk. During a short recess I rushed to my chambers … Continue reading My Most Embarrassing Moments on the Bench
"Poetic Wednesday" Gwendolyn Brooks (1917-2000) won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1950. She is the first African American to receive a Pulitzer. Illinois honored her by making her the state’s Poet Laureate. She taught poetry at several universities, including the University of Chicago and Columbia University. (As with most African American poetry, “We Real … Continue reading “We Real Cool” – A Short Poem About School Dropouts
"Sunday Sermon" After serving my mission in Britain, I returned to college. My first class was “World Religions.” This was an upper division course in the Philosophy Department. I probably should have taken the similar class in the “less hostile environment” of the Religious Studies Department. On the first day, the professor walked into the full … Continue reading “Are There Any Mormons in this Class?”
"Fun Facts Saturday" You may have noticed that one of my favorite words is "plethora." It has been a favorite ever since I watched the movie “Three Amigos.” Jefe, a rough-and-tumble bandit with rotten teeth, is explaining the preparations for gang leader El Guapo’s birthday celebration. Jefe (bandit): I have put many beautiful piñatas in the … Continue reading What’s a “Plethora?”
"Court Case Friday" A little background. I have a two rules governing jury trials. First, jury trials start promptly on time. Second, the "hammer" drops if a defendant or witness is a half-hour late without excuse. Rule Number One: Jury Trials Start on Time My parents weaned me on promptness. And so, I get very … Continue reading “God Overruled Me”
"Poetic Wednesday" "Poetic Wednesday" is a new weekly category. I love poetry. In college, I took several classes on poetry. I gave a few college lectures and one-man theater performances on poetry. And I memorized well over 100 poems, which will be included in "Poetic Wednesday." In this short poem, Martian astronomers are investigating whether … Continue reading “Earth” — A Short Poem About “Intelligent Life” on our Planet?
"Sunday Sermon" A Terrible Object Lesson on Repentance: Nail Holes in the Board When I was a child, there was an object lesson used by Primary and Sunday School teachers to teach that "obedience is better than repentance." The teacher pounded nails, representing sin, into a board. Repentance removed the nails. However, ugly holes were … Continue reading Obedience is better than Repentance
"Court Case Friday" Expert Testimony A side benefit of being is judge is that I get to learn all sorts of interesting stuff from expert witnesses, like: Pathologists (homicides) Psychiatrists (insanity, dementia, schizophrenia) Orthopedists (injuries) Surgeons (malpractice) Criminalists (DNA, DUI, drugs) Detectives (drug distribution) Mechanical Engineers (auto defects) Architects, Engineers, Contractors (construction defects) Radiologists (X-rays) … Continue reading Superglue – A Super Crime Fighting Tool
"Sunday Sermon" The Lord rebuked His people for their faithlessness and their plethora of sins. They asked, "How can we get back in your good graces?" "How about we offer you 'thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of olive oil?'" "Should we sacrifice our firstborn children to pay for our sins?" (Micah 6:3-7 NLT) … Continue reading “Do Justly,” “Love Mercy,” “Walk Humbly with Thy God,” Micah 6:8
The London Edition 