Category: Having My Say
On Just About Everything
A Report On My Week Without A Calendar
Last week I told you that I was going to give up my calendar for a week. This post is a report on how that went and what I learned from that experience. Almost everything in the list below is primarily applicable for someone in their retirement years. When you work a mandatory a 40 – 60 hour week, little time is left for much of anything else. I learned that keeping a calendar filled with goals and activities is critical to me in my retirement years. It’s just too easy to fall into a “do nothing” mode without it. … Continue reading A Report On My Week Without A Calendar
Mosaic of Life #109 – Ottawa Reflections
Ottawa, which is the national capital of Canada, is one of my most favorite cities I have ever visited. One of the primary reasons is “reflections”. That is, the old and the new building coexisting and actually complimenting each other. The picture above is replicated there dozens of times. In this particular case, it is a reflection of the Parliament building. Continue reading Mosaic of Life #109 – Ottawa Reflections
A Whole Other Reality…
This post will be one of those off-the-wall ones, so be warned. All my life I have always had the feeling that there is a whole other reality out there. The simplest way I can describe it is that when … Continue reading A Whole Other Reality…
Mosaic of Life #107 – I’m Canadian, “We Don’t Do Proud”
One of the most memorable places I have visited was the Eastern part of Canada in 2011. The trip was scheduled for a month but was cut a week short due to my wife’s reoccurring illnesses. I have always wanted to go back and finish that trip, but the years have caught up with me so that is no longer a possibility. But, I can relive those times in 2011 with RJsMosaics and stories from my journal of those times. This is the first of several Mosaics yet to come. I’m pretty sure my roots go back to Great Britain, … Continue reading Mosaic of Life #107 – I’m Canadian, “We Don’t Do Proud”
Mosaic of Life #102 – Wordless Wednesday – Unfocused But Beautiful
From The Heart…
In the old days, it was always believed that the essence of who you are comes from your heart. Of course, we now know that the total function of the heart is to pump blood. It has no part of our essence, other than if it stops working, our essence stops working. Over my years of constantly wondering just who I am, and why I am here, it’s astonishing that I have never thought of looking to neurology for some of those answers. Well, the day has finally come when I look at the three pound cauliflower between my ears … Continue reading From The Heart…
Mosaic of Life #75 The Thing About Orchids
It has been a while since I posted an artsy mosaic, so here goes. Almost all my life I have had a green thumb, but that was mostly the outdoor variety. I had my first veggie garden before I was 8 years old. Of course, I don’t specifically remember all those early childhood dates, but I do use one reference to establish the date. In 1955, my mother abandoned us to looker for greener pastures, and I do remember not too long before that is when I was raising radishes, green onions, and leaf lettuce in a small plot in … Continue reading Mosaic of Life #75 The Thing About Orchids
Mosaic of Life #99 – National Railroad Museum – Green Bay Wisconsin
I was definitely impressed with the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay, Wisconsin a few years ago. My in-laws are in that part of the country, so I have been to the area many times. I don’t know how I … Continue reading Mosaic of Life #99 – National Railroad Museum – Green Bay Wisconsin
Mosaic of Life # 42 Wordless Wednesday – Mount Rushmore
Mosaic of Life #98 About Jimmy Madison…
This picture was taken on our “President’s Row” trip in 2011. We visited 6 president’s homes. Jimmy was a quiet guy. He didn’t stand out like so many of his playmates who were much taller and more vocal than him. He was intelligent but didn’t go around bragging about that. But, He was what was needed at the time to make this democracy project a success. I think some of you probably know who I am talking about? I don’t suspect you call him Jimmy, but instead use his God-given name of James. I am talking about James Madison, otherwise … Continue reading Mosaic of Life #98 About Jimmy Madison…
Mosaic of Life #97 – The Adventures Of Youth… Colorado Mountain Top
I was a 30-year-old single guy when I took this adventure. It was on a mountain top in southwestern Colorado, although I don’t remember exactly where now. I spent the year before outfitting my recently purchased Chevy van as a camper. My freshly minted roommate and I left Indiana one morning and were at the 10,000 ft elevation twenty-four hours later. That same day, we hiked to the 12,000 level where this picture was taken. Even in my youth I discovered that doing that so quickly was not a smart thing to do. We camped out that night and were … Continue reading Mosaic of Life #97 – The Adventures Of Youth… Colorado Mountain Top
Mosaic of Life #33 – Mississinewa 1812
The Battle of 1812 is not high on a level of importance as wars go. It was primarily about Great Britain riling up the Indians who were losing their homeland to the invaders. Except for the annihilation of many tribes in the Northeast, the war didn’t change much, but the reenactment at Mississinewa, Indiana is the biggest one of that war. This particular battle was mainly about ineptitude. Most of the men who signed up for this battle were kids 18 – 20 years old, who were poorly trained and led by the “Indian Hater” William Henry Harrison. (these are … Continue reading Mosaic of Life #33 – Mississinewa 1812
Mosaic of Life #96 – A Nation of Immigrants
I have several times in my life, had an “Inspiring/Life Changing” moment, where a solution to a problem that has plagued me seemingly forever suddenly becomes obvious. When that happens, I often look back at that time from the mosaic above. The picture was taken on January 29, 1999. Some of you who know the area probably recognize that it was taken from NYC Battery Park, looking over to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island in the distance. Being a U.S. history nut, I have always been inspired by these two places and the number of immigrants who saw … Continue reading Mosaic of Life #96 – A Nation of Immigrants
Mosaic of Life #95 – Red, Yellow, Green
I spent the last weekend organizing my iPhoto Library so that it’s easier to find what I want here at RJsCorner. Putting 18,000 photos into about 20 different boxes is no small challenge, but due to my Aspie traits, I am up to it. During all this work I came to the realization that I have an affinity towards stoplights. The art and structure, especially this one, fascinates me. This picture was taken while I was visiting one of the Wright Brother’s sites in Dayton Ohio. There is so much to see in Dayton, I will have to get back … Continue reading Mosaic of Life #95 – Red, Yellow, Green
Mosaic of Life #80 – Wordless Wednesday – Simply Green
Mosaic of Life #81 – Huge
Here is another post of a huge plant I found at the Indiana University Biology Dept greenhouse. This guy was crowding the 12 ft ceiling. The “Elkhorn” label was for a plant in the foreground, not this one. I’m going to have to go back and find this guy’s name Continue reading Mosaic of Life #81 – Huge
Mosaic of Life #100 Turning Back The Odometer… And Other Such Things
(An Artsyfiied picture of RJ – wrinkles and gray hair what there is of it) Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me, I want people to know “why” I look this way. I’ve traveled a long way and some of the roads weren’t paved. ― Will Rogers I recently saw an image of Cher, and it was obvious that she has had dozens of plastic surgeries. She is five months older than I am, but she refuses to show her age. As this quote from Will Rogers says above, NOT ME. I want people to know I am … Continue reading Mosaic of Life #100 Turning Back The Odometer… And Other Such Things
Awakening The Imagination
Awakening the imagination is certainly an interesting topic that I won’t begin to scratch the surface of, but that shouldn’t stop me from “having my say”. I came across an interesting article at the Medium the other day about this … Continue reading Awakening The Imagination
Mosaic of Life #101 – Ghosts Of The Past
I’ve gone through thousands of small towns in my fifty years of traveling America. One of the things that always catches my attention are the faded signs of the past on an abandoned building. I am always tempted to stop … Continue reading Mosaic of Life #101 – Ghosts Of The Past
Mosaic of Life #93 – The Sanitary Restaurant – North Carolina
If I were to open a new restaurant today, I certainly wouldn’t call it the “Sanitary Restaurant”! I’m sure there are some places that are proud that they don’t get any serious violations by the health department, but I’m also … Continue reading Mosaic of Life #93 – The Sanitary Restaurant – North Carolina
Mosaic of Life #77 – Yin Wang Again…
I think it is about time for another Yin/Yang story. Looking at the flower basket above immediately reminded me of this topic. For those of you who might not be familiar with this topic, I give you a short explanation … Continue reading Mosaic of Life #77 – Yin Wang Again…
My Blue-Collar Dad… 1950s – 60s
May 16, 2017 – For some reason I am thinking of Dad today, so I thought I would pen some thoughts about him here. The first job I remember Dad having was working in a small sand casting shop making those little post office doors you still see in your local post office. I’m sure he made thousands and thousands of them. They were made of brass and as a result, he regularly got what he called “brass chills”. That is when he was over exposed to all the brass fumes coming off the melting material. His “chills were frightening to … Continue reading My Blue-Collar Dad… 1950s – 60s
Mosaic of Life #45 The Fishing Years 1975 – 1985
I graduated from college in 1970 and for the next 16 years I led a bachelor’s life. A good part of that time was dedicated to my fishing years with the rig above. I built a custom interior in the van for sleeping and hauling all the junk required. The 1976 Chevy van was my third new vehicle I had purchased. I traded in a 1973 Chevy Laguna, which replaced my 1970 Mustang. Yeah, in those years you pretty much wore out a vehicle in three years. Getting to my fishing years, eight months a year I was on lakes … Continue reading Mosaic of Life #45 The Fishing Years 1975 – 1985
Mosaic of Life #41 Oriental Poppy?
I think the flower above is an Oriental Poppy, but if I am wrong, please let me know. But, this flower was the cause of one of my most serious fights with my wife in our 35 years of marriage. It came in 2003 and totally surprised me. We were in our homestead three years, and I decided to help my wife with some weeding of her flower beds. Before I go any further, I need to tell you that my wife was a SERIOUS flower gardener. Back to the story. When I saw some thistles growing in her beds, … Continue reading Mosaic of Life #41 Oriental Poppy?
RetComLife – Time Drift
One of the most difficult things about living in retirement, especially for us elder orphans living in a retirement community, is “time drift“. I don’t know if I invented that phrase, but it certainly applies to me at this time in my life. I can count on one hand the number of people who have come into my apartment for a visit in the last three years. That, and the fact that I am mostly inept at things socially, means that I live my life almost totally on my own. Days just seem to drift into weeks, and weeks into … Continue reading RetComLife – Time Drift
Mosaic of Life #91 – Indiana Limestone
I love finding 100-year-old murals during my travels across America. This one was from a nearby town of Bedford, Indiana. They claim to be the “Limestone Capital of the World”. I don’t know about that, but I do know that … Continue reading Mosaic of Life #91 – Indiana Limestone
Mosaic of Life #44 – One Man’s Trash…
I know I am using plenty of clichés here, but I think you get the idea. Go to the big city, and they spend big bucks to keep the above flower out of their lawns. Being basically a country boy, I love the diversity of a country lawn. It is not just one boring plot of the same old grass. I remember when we first moved into our country homestead in 2000, there was a yard pump in the side lawn with wild violets around it. When I left in 2021, almost the entire 3 acres were covered in violets … Continue reading Mosaic of Life #44 – One Man’s Trash…
Mosaic of Life #83 – Most Treasured
Mosaic of Life #88 Dayton Heavenly Bikes
In some ways, graphics a hundred years ago were not that much different than they are today. The mosaic above is proof of that. This picture was taken at the Wright Brothers National Museum in Dayton, Ohio. It is a place well worth a visit. Continue reading Mosaic of Life #88 Dayton Heavenly Bikes
Mosaic of Life #89 – A Mosaic In A Mosaic
I think this is one of my most artsy photographs I have taken. It is kinda in the vain of my many reflection pictures. But, this one was taken through a large window in the Terminal Tower building lobby in Cleveland, Ohio. Below is the exterior view of the building. Continue reading Mosaic of Life #89 – A Mosaic In A Mosaic
Mosaic of Life #87 It’s All About Timing…
Sometimes you get lucky and click the shutter button at just the right instance. That pretty much describes today’s mosaic. Several of the reenactments I have visited have booming cannons, but I never realized how dramatic they were. Yes, when … Continue reading Mosaic of Life #87 It’s All About Timing…
Mosaic of Life #86 – The Most Mysterious
Just when I think I have photographed the most complex “Into The Depth” flower, another one come to take the “Most” title. If I were to make an abstract painting that described the complexity of my mind, it would probably closely resemble this picture. Just so you know, this picture was not modified in the least from when it was taken. Continue reading Mosaic of Life #86 – The Most Mysterious
Mosaic of Life #78. Lego Beauty
I have found out that Lego is not just a bunch of blocks, but instead it is a creation yet to be discovered. It took about 4 hours to build this 771 piece LEGO Icon Succulents. It was a very peaceful 4 hours. Yes, I know this is a “kit” that has probably been sold to thousands of different people. But this is just what I needed almost a year ago to finally push me in a different direction. It was the beginning of the process, and I’m certainly glad it happened. Continue reading Mosaic of Life #78. Lego Beauty
Just Stories – Cows In The Front Yard
We had an annual event occur today. At least it occurs about this same time every year for the last six or so. A farmer’s cows from down the road broke out of the pasture and ended up grazing in our front yard. This year there were about six heifers and six calves. Continue reading Just Stories – Cows In The Front Yard
Mosaic of Life #61 Re-enactments Are My Thing
One of my favorite places to visit in all my 50 years of travels has been re-enactments, particularly those that celebrated events in the 1800s. The above mosaic celebrated the Fall seasons in Northern Indiana. This historic reenactment captures 18th century life at Fort Quiatnon which is north of the present day West Lafayette/Purdue University. Continue reading Mosaic of Life #61 Re-enactments Are My Thing
Mosaic of Life #20 Shaker Seeds
During my travels, I have visited many historic sites. I think Shaker sites are my overall favorite, especially the one closest to me near Lexington, KY, called Pleasant Hill Shaker Village. There are no longer any active villages, but many have been preserved as national historic sites. My initial introduction to Shakers was their furniture, but garden seeds were probably what they were actually more famous for. Continue reading Mosaic of Life #20 Shaker Seeds
Mosaic of Life #76 Innocence (WW)
Mosaic of Life #58 – A Beautiful Entourage
These flowers remind me of something entirely different. What makes this bouquet so beautiful is the variety of individual plants that make it up. Yes, a dozen roses tell a story usually involving love, but a beautiful variety of flowers such as above shows us that diversity of life is where all the beauty resides.
Mosaic of Life #74 – Chaos (Double Memory)…
This mosaic was taken on the shores of the Great Lakes. Indiana only has a minute segment of shoreline, but what it has is beautiful indeed. It is at the very southern end of a 317-mile Lake Michigan. Most of the weather in this part of the country comes from Canada, so I suppose that is the reason that many of the rocks and pebbles accumulate at the southern end. To me, this mosaic kinda looks like organized chaos. I especially love the blue rocks scattered among the others. Continue reading Mosaic of Life #74 – Chaos (Double Memory)…
Mosaic of Life #73 – Old Fashioned Containers Tell A Story
One of my favorite things to look for when I visited local or regional museums were containers. Back in the day before TV commercials, magazines, and such, the primary way to get attention to their products was by creative packaging. This picture was taken in the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park. I will give you more details about the park in a future mosaic. For this mosaic, I just what to focus on the containers I found there. Each one tells a story of it’s own. Continue reading Mosaic of Life #73 – Old Fashioned Containers Tell A Story
Mosaic of Life #70 – Red and Green & White All Over
One of the advantages of living in a college town is the number of artsy sources in the community. Last month I visited the IU Biology Dept green house for the first time. I was warned ahead of time that it is a “working” green house, so expect hoses and wet concrete. Most of the flowers were one steel-grated tables, not elaborate presentation as most conservatories are. But, that was perfectly fine with me. Continue reading Mosaic of Life #70 – Red and Green & White All Over
Mosaic of Life #67 – Cardinal In The Snow – (Wordless Wednesday)
Mosaic of Life #30 – Fascinated By Glass
I don’t remember when my fascination with glass began. Maybe it was my first visit in the 1980s to a museum in my wife’s hometown, Neenah, Wisconsin, named Bergstrom-Mahler – Museum of Glass. There are literally thousands of pieces of glass art. I will save any more details of that museum for future mosaics.
Mosaic of Life #28 – Surreal Landscape
The last time I was at the Grand Canyon was when this picture was taken in 2005. I have been there on two other occasions. What was special this time was that we stayed in the lodge on the south end of the canyon. We could lie in our bed at the national park lodge as see the canyon about 50 feet away. It was like the other two times I had visited there in that it just didn’t seem real. The grandeur of it was just beyond imagination. One of the “woulda, coulda, shoulda” things I regret not doing … Continue reading Mosaic of Life #28 – Surreal Landscape
