Life is simply NOT a straight and narrow path. As Thoreau said here it is jagged patchwork of all emotions. That is what makes life so interesting for those of us who look over the sides of the boxes people try to put us in. To me, the straight and narrow would be an absolutely boring life.

Finishing on a side note for this post, I have been struggling with where to go in my “Never Stop Learning” mantra for 2026 and have decided to go back to where it all began. When I was nine years old I read my first biography of Albert Einstein. That book would lead me on a path of several others on him. He was the first person that I thought I could learn from his wisdom and insight. Others followed including: Washington, Jefferson and Madison. I called this my “Getting to Know them” project.

I have finally decided to get to know David Henry Thoreau. I read “Walden” many years ago but only recently went beyond that book on him. I am finding that he certainly had a lot to teach me. So, I am going to do that and take you along on my trip.