Blogs
STATESIDE STORIES: How About Going Camping? »
Some people camp in tents, some use recreational vehicles and campers, and some just backpack out into the woods to sleep out under the stars on soft summer nights. Some even use pack mules and horses to really get out into the backcountry and leave civilization far behind. There are so many different places for the camping aficionado to go all across the country that any listing would be incomplete. But if you are traveling to the US and want to try your hand at camping, be sure to make reservations ahead of time to save space in the many National Parks and Recreational Sites available. Or you can just trust to luck and rent a camper or trailer that will at least give you shelter from a summer storm.
A Second Opinion: Beyond the Pyrenees »
Somehow I always felt that "Europe" began at the Pyrenees, leaving Spain as a magic island of cultural heritage. What has the EU really done to improve the life of the average Spaniard except complicate the panorama a bit more? Perhaps there has been a forward-looking push from up North that has subtlely changed the traditional Spanish attitude of xenophobia. Perhaps some modernization has occurred and the economy is more robust than before. But Madrid is not Paris, and Barcelona is not Berlin, and Rome will always be Rome. If the British can say "no" to the Continent then others may follow suit.
STATESIDE STORIES: FATHER’S DAY! »
Father's Day in the States is Sunday, June 16th. That is the day in which we recognize what fathers do for their children, which is quite varied and something often to boast about.
A Second Opinion: Assisted Suicide–Murder Most Foul! »
The Medical profession exists to help people live healthy and fulfilling lives. To twist and skew ethical considerations because of the societal problems of population and aging is to forget the intrinsic value of life itself. “Putting someone out of their misery” is nothing more than “Murder Most Foul!” Murder is against the law, yet exceptions are made. Consistently and often horribly. And Doctors and nurses are involved in every stage. In the States, it is practically a socially acceptable industry.
Stateside Stories: A Simple Coincidence? »
Rambling around town in the beginnings of May, en route to my second shift of the day, I came across an old building in an older part of the city which startled me with its blaringly large white sign which read “Lowell’s Print-Inn”. Now I don’t know anything about the history of the building, but all I could think of was taking a picture of it for Guidepost’s longtime publisher, Dan Lowell, who for many years was in charge of the print version of Guidepost as he is now in charge of the online version. It was the most evocative, interesting and coincidental sight to see on my way to what is rather boring work at times, and I vowed then and there to come back and take pictures to prove the strange coincidence.
Electric Scooters in Spain: A Pedestrian Fiasco or Wave of the Future? »
On a sunny day in Madrid, I pick up a Lime electric scooter near the Tirso de Molina Metro stop in the vibrant La Latina neighborhood. The thrill of riding through the streets, jetting past pedestrians and cars alike, is exhilarating. In cities like Madrid where pollution is one of the worst in Europe (a 3% annual mortality rate), electric scooters should be welcomed whole-heartedly as a green solution.
BLACK PEARLS (FINAL CHAPTER): BASED ON THE TRUE-TO-LIFE NOVEL BY AUTHOR NINA VALDES »
Chapter 4 (Last Chapter)
Pic supplkied by author
Maria and I decided to postpone the remainder of our
A Second Opinion: Black Man Walking »
Americans have a special indebtedness to history with regard to the legacy of black people that other countries may not quite understand, including Spain.
STATESIDE STORIES: May brings Mother’s Day »
Mother’s Day is Appreciation Day for women who have given life to someone else. Happy Mother’s Day to the Mothers of the World! We owe our lives to them!
STATESIDE STORIES: 007–“To Russia with Love” »
It has been proven that the Russians interfered in the 2016 presidential campaigns on both sides, but Donald Trump himself has been exonerated of wrongdoing by Robert Mueller's 448-page report, which clears Trump of collusion and obstruction of justice, both impeachable offenses. Dealing with the Russians has always been a sticky-wicket for Americans, who generally see the Soviets as their avowed enemies in the world today. Colluding with Russians, therefore, was seen as a treasonable act, and the President "has never been happier" that he has been vindicated of that charge in what he has repeatedly called a Democratic "Witchhunt".
