It was the summer of 1969, and I rushed home with four newly purchased boxes of Cracker Jack. Back then the infamous caramel coated popcorn and peanuts still came packaged with a prize, and I had a plan. I figured I needed four boxes to find just the right prize to pull it off.  ​Arriving home,…

Sometime ago I heard a story about some hunters who were sitting around the campfire after a hard day hunting. Eventually the conversation turned to their dogs and who had the smartest one. Also sitting around the fire was an older friend who was listening intently as the guys laid it on thick.​The first hunter…

We are all familiar with Aesop Fables and the “famous race” between the tortoise and the hare. We all understand the advantages that the hare had versus the skills of the tortoise. We often fail to recognize the natural differential between the two competitors and that if the race were held today most bets would…

Traditions connect families across generations and over time. As family members from multiple generations gather to share traditions, your children can learn about their cultural or religious heritage. Many family traditions revolve around specific foods, music, seasonal or cultural events, or other activities of importance to your family. Your children can learn about where they…

Sometime ago I heard a story about a bunch of frogs who wanted to compete in a new athletic event sponsored by the pond community council that sanctioned such events. The council met together to discuss possible contests and decide where, when, and who was eligible to participate. The selection committee spent a great deal…

Several years ago, I drove to Afton, Wyoming with my father, his wife, and two sisters to attend the funeral of my uncle who was a successful rancher his entire life.  He was 95 years old when he passed away, he lived an honorable and productive life, and he was healthy for most of his…

Several years ago, I was sitting with my father in his living room. It was in the afternoon, and we were just enjoying the moment of being together. We didn’t have an agenda nor were we in a hurry to finish the visit. He was in his early 90s. As part of our conversation, he…