Category Archives: Uncategorized

Every good book has chapters. I recently ran across a chapter written 10 years ago: “Just ride it…you’ll be fine.” Grandpa would say when I’d get afraid. His friend Carlton, the first time I rode with them: “Michael you have much experience with horses?”Me: “No sir” (a lie, hoping for one that was old andContinue reading “Kintsugi”

Years-ago I worked at a field site called Radio Island Jetty; a narrow strip of rock just inside Beaufort Inlet, North Carolina.  The tidal flux though the inlet produced extreme currents on the jetty; water rushing in at high tide, then reversing and flooding back out as the tide receded.  Trying to work in these conditions (yes,Continue reading “Mind the Gap”

The more time I spend here on Earth, the more I see circles.This particular circle has a circumference of 40 years. No, we didn’t win. But who knows, maybe that will happen sometime. A quest to find truth. What do this horse and I have between us?Is she really with me?In search of that placeContinue reading “Circles”

When I was a graduate student in the ‘90s I thought data could change the world. Properly designed, controlled, replicated experiments; good data would point the way. Sometimes it seemed the key didn’t open the door; old bittings perhaps, an aged key worn by time; efficacy lost. The disappoint of youthful dreams; idealism tempered byContinue reading “Go for the heart”

Maybe old Feynman was on to something. Maybe if we’re not getting it wrong we’re not doing it right. Stumbling toward the truth;A tiny candle shining into the darkness of the unknown;Incomplete, inaccurate, misidentification;The cutting edge of ignorance Even ideas we are most sure of; the door of uncertainty left open just a crackA crackContinue reading “Thoughts from a sit by a tide pool”

Sometimes giants are found in unexpected places.High school biology, the very beginning of an odyssey,40 years ago. He taught us biology, the facts, and more importantly how to navigate.In the field he showed us the rules; which to follow and which to politely ignore in the name of keeping things interesting. He was the kindContinue reading “Tall Masts, Fine Humans”

Before the grindstone that transforms idealism into realism begins to turn,a teacher dreams of what could be. Don’t give them a roadmap, give them a compass. Don’t give them a pathway to “Success” or a roadmap to riches.Prescription kills curiosity and joy. Teach them the principles of navigation.And give them courage to drift and wander.TheContinue reading “Early August”

Decades later, it is only now I can make a reliable judgement. This ship and my time on it left a lasting impression. Sometimes I wonder what impressions 20-somethings are finding these days. I hope somehow, somewhere, they are finding things like this.

Rustling through a dusty broom closest called “home office” today. Starting to think about the upcoming re-entry. The 20-something-th semester. Maybe this will be the time I have it! Probably not, and that’s why I come back. For some reason this image on the wall caught my eye. Hands, rough on the outside but softContinue reading “Simple Not Easy”

This time of year, the “going-back” time of year, always makes me question what I have to offer students.  It’s a good kind of questioning, more of a wondering really.  The day I stop should be followed by the day leadership sends me on my way. This reference frame, a reference frame of offering, got me thinkingContinue reading “Offerings”