I wrote this some time ago and posted it on Facebook.   A friend’s post about McKay’s Books today reminded me of it, and I decided to post it here on TheVeryStuff.com.   In the past, I have thought about and written … Continue reading →

The following piece that I wrote appeared in the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center e-newsletter Notables, on April 25, 2017.     Notables is a monthly e-newsletter to share stories about discoveries and best practices that are opening doors and transforming lives for children … Continue reading →

I love this watch. Lucien-Picard, moonphase, automatic. As watches go, it’s not super expensive, but it’s not a cheapo watch either. I just like the look of the face so much, with the little skeleton window onto the complication, and … Continue reading →

In my dream I am younger.  Maybe I am about college age or just a tiny bit older. Early to mid-twenties.  I wasn’t aware of being “single” per se, but later in the dream it becomes apparent that I am … Continue reading →

As my last post, “the factory worker” ended, I was back on the pavements looking for work.  If you haven’t read that piece, you really should go back and do that now before you read this one.   It was late … Continue reading →

I needed a job.   I was in Columbia, MO over the summer after my third-year of college and I  needed to find a job.  I had been working in the golf pro-shops at various Country-Clubs in the mid-state for the … Continue reading →

Note from John.  As most of you know, brevity is not one of my” long-suits”.  Especially when I get wound up.   I am wound up right now about the idea and value in creating more effective and more forward-thinking … Continue reading →

The Southern Festival of Books is going on this weekend at Legislative Plaza in downtown Nashville.  The 30th year of the Festival.  Wow.   I’m planning on being there, as I have for many of the years since its beginnings in … Continue reading →

My father-in-law, Lloyd Esmon passed away in the early morning hours of April 27, 2018 at the age of 89.  He was ready. We are sad, of course, that he is no longer with us, but truly …. he was … Continue reading →

I was recently asked to take part in a Nashville Storytellers event sponsored by The Tennessean, held on March 25th at the historic Woolworth’s on Fifth in Nashville.  This was the location back in 1961 of the “Lunch Counter Sit-Ins” … Continue reading →

This one is weird.  If weird ain’t your thing, stop now.  You’ve been warned. Very strange dream last night.  Vivid.  One of those dreams where when you wake up you kind of have to pause a minute, and are just … Continue reading →

I woke up this morning with a heavy heart, thinking about the current news of hatred, intolerance, and violence in the world.  The events that turned violent and deadly in Charlottesville last Saturday.  The news reports just yesterday from Barcelona … Continue reading →

When I was a boy, like many other Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts, I had a subscription to “Boys’ Life” magazine.   It’s the official magazine of Scouting.   Lots of great adventure stories, history, educational articles about nature and wildlife, science, … Continue reading →

Except for the parts that aren’t, this story is almost entirely true.  I have lost touch in the ensuing years with everyone mentioned.  Except for myself.  I have not (as yet) lost touch with myself.  That will likely happen at … Continue reading →

May 17, 2017.  Strange dream last night. I can unravel some of these threads.  Others, I won’t even try.    I’m not a huge believer in subtle messages being communicated in dreams.  On the other hand, this dream wasn’t particularly subtle.    … Continue reading →

I remember the day of my Senior Prom in the Spring of 1975 very well, and not ONLY because of my fabulous date and how much fun the evening was.  I’ve got other reasons to remember the day. I had … Continue reading →

Nobody succeeds beyond their wildest dreams unless they START with some pretty wild dreams. I keep a journal, or a little Moleskine pocket-sized book, or at least a handy notepad with me pretty much at all times. I try to … Continue reading →

In the era in which I grew up, most high schools had an annual “Sadie Hawkins” day dance.  Yours too?   This was the one dance in the school year in which the GIRL asked the BOY for the date.   A … Continue reading →