Yes, indeed, Dear Readers–it’s time once again for our annual mini-rant about why I don’t like the term, “Black Friday.” [Minor edits form original] “Black Friday” Thoughts: Part 1 Originally published on November 24, 2011 These two short essays are from Lines of a Layman: T)he Golden Rule in Every Day Living. The author is a guy named
Long time readers will recall that I have a very personal relationship with J.C. Penney–the store, and the man. My attachment to the store began before I was born, and continued until we broke up after a very long and sad decline. “It’s not me, it’s you,” was how I finally ended it. My attachment
Reposting today Crappy Old Quote of the Day Originally published on July 6, 2020 Today we return Cato’s Letters (1720-1723) to the fourth shelf of the big bookshelf in the living room. It was a good run. Hope you enjoyed it. This is a bit late– I missed it entirely until just now as Lines of a Layman had been piled
11/27/2020: A repost from November 23, 2018 (with minor edits), which was a repost from 2011. Out of date with respect to the details but the history hasn’t changed. 11/23/2018: Technically, this is not a repost because the original was in Blogger format converted to WordPress and it looks just awful. So this is a
Optimism “IN THESE DAYS we need optimism. Not the thoughtless variety that sets up the visionary in place of what should be the true vision. But the optimism that goes at the job, whatever it may be, in the conviction that it can be done well, that it can be made to contribute to the
Young People “CAREFUL OBSERVATION of youth under all conditions does not make me feel that young men and women of this generation are any worse than those of other generations. Certainly we are living in a faster time, and many are making sad mistakes. But, as to drinking and the rest, I am quite convinced
Covenant for America “FELLOW AMERICANS, let us get back to fundamentals, to the place where we recognize that something for nothing is as morally reprehensible as it is economically unsound and unsafe. Let us each shoulder his share of the responsibility for strengthening the moral and spiritual life of America. “A present trend has to
Today we return Cato’s Letters (1720-1723) to the fourth shelf of the big bookshelf in the living room. It was a good run. Hope you enjoyed it. This is a bit late– I missed it entirely until just now as Lines of a Layman had been piled on by several other stratum of crappy old
Personal Development The majority of us are too easily satisfied, especially where personal development is concerned. We are, as a nation, energetic, ambitious and by nature acquisitive; but too many time our business or profession is merely. the means to an end, and this is where the mistake is made. If we are in our
Building Upon Experience “EXPERIENCE IS THE great teacher. I shall never forget the remark an uncle made to me one time when I was a small lad. My boy,” said he, ‘you will have to breathe it through your own nose.’ “I could hardly grasp the significance of his remark, but I never forgot it,
Good Judgement To be able to discriminate justly and wisely, to decide without fear or favor, is a quality to be admired in any man. Such a man is eagerly sought in all activities of life. It is not always easy to be unbiased, for as human nature is much the same in us all,
Influence “DID YOU EVER stop to consider that your every thought, word and action has a direct influence, not only on your own life, but on that of the people associated with you? Nor is our influence always confined to our immediate associates. This lesson I learned from a tree as its branches swung to
Four-square Man“THIS SUBJECT IS the one nearest my heart. It is unfortunate that so many men go through life in just the ordinary way. Many are inclined to think that only geniuses, or men with special privileges, succeed. To my way of thinking, success is but a result of which the four-square man is the
I am not so sure I like this nook format but it seems to be my only option when I try to copy text. And nook was one of only two options for a digital copy of the book, which was published in 1956. Notice, too, that Barnes and freaking Noble– a book seller– doesn’t
Reposted from April 7, 2014. The reading of good books is one of the most helpful ways in which young people can develop themselves. One of the saddest mistakes I made in years gone by was utter neglect of reading. I now realize what I have missed by not having read and studied more. …
Today Miss M and I made our way to the metropolis of Starkville, Mississippi to do some shopping. We had some lists. Mind you– this was not pre-Christmas shopping. This was preparation for Thanksgiving shopping; State plays away tomorrow so it was not a pre-game-day Friday– not too crowded (by Starkville standards). Working our way
The reading of good books is one of the most helpful ways in which young people can develop themselves. One of the saddest mistakes I made in years gone by was utter neglect of reading. I now realize what I have missed by not having read and studied more. … [I]t is a spendid thing
J.C. Penney, Lines of a Layman, 1956 To be clear, much as I like Mr. Penney, and much as I admire the company he founded, I am no fan of JCPenney these days. JCPenney, circa 2011, is the antithesis of That first little store I called “The Golden Rule.”* I’ve claimed that Mr. Penney would
America Has Been Good To Me J.C. Penney, Lines of a Layman, 1956 Today I remember that the years have rewarded me for every talent I possess, and for every effort I’ve ever made– amply rewarded me not only with the world’s material goods, but richly rewarded me in many, many fine friendships– rewarded me
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