For most of my professional life, I worked in the Naval Education and Training Command (or the same organization under a different name). It is a huge command with hundreds of programs, thousands of students, millions of dollars and many, many challenges. While I was in the organization, a three-star or two-star Navy Admiral was…
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Sheri
On Wednesday I did what we all hate – the annual appointment to the doctor for “routine” stuff. The only thing I do enjoy about this annual visit is seeing Sheri. Sheri is a mammography tech and I have followed her to several centers. You see, when we women feel comfortable with a medical professional,…
Eating lima beans
Last week’s discussion on building a fire brought a couple of questions. My favorite was “you’re not really talking about building a fire, are you?” Have no doubt, I was building an actual fire. And, yes, the picture was of my fire. And, no people, buildings or wildlife were damaged by the fire. (Except for…
Fire
I am pretty good at building bonfires. But today I decided to save time and skip several steps that have always worked for me. I put the newspaper into a stack instead of balling it up. I worked the fire in only one spot instead of starting three of four small fires. I tried to…
The ethics of the American hobo
I am not good at coming up with costumes. So, the upcoming season of costumes frustrates me. Usually, I cheat and call a silly t-shirt and wig a costume. But, this year, we are planning to participate in our church’s “trunk or treat” and I will be decorating the Explorer and wearing a theme-related costume.…
Lesson from a tomato plant
Last February I bought four tomato plants: two Big Boy plants and two cherry tomato plants. I put them into containers, added appropriate potting soil, placed plant cages above them, put the pots into a growing area with the just the right amounts of sun and water, and stood back to let them grow tomatoes.…
Dealing with a bully?
I have no problem with killing bugs. But, snakes, mice, lizards and the like make me nervous. To deal with them, I have my own, personal strategy – noise. Let me provide an example. I worked at a Western Auto from my junior year of high school through college. Often, I was the first one…
Swim lanes
It wasn’t surprising that there was conflict. It started after the organization had a major crisis that had to be addressed quickly and creatively; the solutions that had always worked were not appropriate this time. The boss met at different times with the organization’s two best leaders and assigned tasks that were very similar. Overworked, the…
“Sit on your hands”
“Sit on your hands.” That was the only piece of advice an amazing leader and friend gave to me when I started a job that involved approving and signing thousands of documents. The advice came with some explanation. They recommended that when I received a piece of correspondence to sign that I sit on my…
Truth comes first
“Truth comes first.” I heard this statement during a casual conversation the other day. My immediate thought was, what could people possibly put before truth? I discovered a couple of possibilities; I am sure that you can identify others. Reputation Image Feelings Greed Loyalty Political correctness Lies A few weeks ago, I had an odd…
Dr. Carla Jill Stein 