Category: Having My Say
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
RJ's Corner - Having My Say 