The Jim Brown Library: Part 2
Jim Brown grew up in San Diego, the son of an unassuming sailor and World War II veteran, Mike Brown. Mike was known as a man who could catch fish anywhere, at any time, and passed his love of the sport on to Jim. One favorite destination for them was Lake...
The Legacy of a Fly Fishing Library: Part 1
My father said you could understand a person by looking at the books in their library. When my Dad passed, I inherited that which he considered his most valued property; his library. Recently, I received the treasure of another man's library, Jim Brown of San Diego,...
An Open Letter to Farmers
Dear Farmer: You are my huggable hero. You might think your life is normal, perhaps even boring, but for millions like me on the outside looking in, we think you’re extraordinary. For those of us who are not farmers, we drive past your swaying wheat fields and hum...
Customer Service on Steroids
There is good customer service then there is customer service on steroids. Let me tell you a story about the latter. I ordered a package to be delivered on a certain day before I left town the following day for travel but was nervous about receiving it because it...
10 Lessons I’m Glad My Father Taught Me
My Dad has been gone for more than 30 years, but the lessons he taught me my first 26 years have guided me through life. Here are 10 lessons he taught me: Faith is more important than religion - My Dad was hungry to know God and to interpret all of the circumstances...
Farmers: People who Make America Great
America was founded by farmers and I vote we turn it back over to them as soon as possible. I'd be happy to vote for a guy or gal in Levi's and a Stetson or bib overalls compared to a greasy politician. The vast majority of the new arrivals to early America were...
People Who Amaze Me: Jerry Toews and His Antique Engines
If it's built after 1915, I'm not interested. - Jerry Toews Jerry Toews (Taves) wandered down the alleys as a kid in Nickerson, Kansas, digging through 55-gallon burn barrels looking for things like old clocks to fix. Now, as a retired band instructor, he wanders all...
One of My Huggable Heroes: Bettie Leonard and the Beautiful Bougainvillea
I doubt there will ever be a statue erected of Bettie Leonard in the rotunda of the Capitol of Texas, but there should be. Bettie, and her husband, Jack, are of Tom Brokaw’s The Greatest Generation that endured the Great Depression, World War II, and watched the world...
Meet My Newest Huggable Hero
I get excited when I find a new hero. However, I’m kind of picky: I want my heroes to be huggable. Those who inspire me the most are people I can sit down with over a cup of coffee. I find my heroes in the most common places where one wouldn’t expect to find them...
A Huggable Hero: Dixie Lee Spencer
I would have climbed Mount Everest for her. Swim the English Channel? Let me get warmed up. All it took to motivate me was her smile and a Snoopy sticker. She loved Snoopy, Charlie Brown’s dog. She was my junior high teacher, Dixie Lee Spencer, and is still in the Top...