New View Askew

  Of   Dads ... and  Brief Shining Moments       Like Brigadoon*, this is our magical moment. Unlike that mythological place, however, we don't have to wait a hundred years for it to return, it occurs every year. T hat moment  is  now. This is the peak of summer, those few wonderful days between the (nominally) popular Fathers Day and the 4th of July. This is that point in time here when night is in full retreat, when all of nature's bounty is in bloom and all is right in this northern paradise: Flip flops, tank tops, and sun dresses are di rigueur.  Allow me to share a short, vaguely interesting back story. Everyone that knows me knows that for many years I have had a weird dislike for the summer solstice - and a love of its winter alter ego. So much so that I couldn't enjoy these marvelous days like I should. Somehow gloom rather than joy would start creeping in on little cat's feet just about now. I know, it seems irrat...

  W hat M akes  A merica G reat A price for greatness This is a special Memorial Day post dedicated to my oldest brother Gary Marvin who passed away earlier this month. He is the second older brother that we - my sister, baby brother and I - have lost. Like his other three brothers, he too was a retired AF vet. Also, a comedian, a great guy and yes, Gary, you were the best looking Pederson brother. (Thanks for leaving me as the remaining oldest - and best looking - brother. RIP)   As always, Memorial Day is a time for pensive reflection on the sacrifices that a tiny minority of Americans make for everyone else. Their commitment to the country can be summed up by the oath taken by military officers. It's v ery similar to the one our President and other constitutional officers take (but  perhaps  with more conviction by us?)  I, having been appointed a (rank) in the United States Air Force, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and d...

    More than Flowers and Fish Head Fake! My last my post, which I considered the best thing I've ever written (not  a high bar  I suppose )  was apparently kinda heavy for some folks. It wasn't intended it that way, I thought of it as a general reflection about life in modern America (which, I agree is kind of a downer today.)  Nonetheless, I vowed then that I would deliver a more positive post this time and t rue to my word, I am - here is an upbeat ode to the upcoming month of May.   Well, sort of about May. Okay, it's mostly about golf. I thought saying  it's about May might lure in more "Unfortunates" (what we in the vast golf community call non-golfers.) I am confident  that when I show  the intimate details of golf to  those who are uneducated in the game, they will gain a whole new, positive appreciation for the Sport of the Gods.   Prepare to be impressed! It does start with May. May is a wonderful month. It glides c...

AI assisted (minimally) . . . Until it Doesn't - Pt II American Tectonics   I  started this post last year  about this  time.  In fact, even before Pt I and  I have been working on it ever since with many changes and updates. I was also wise enough to run it past my two very smart daughters who gave me some invaluable insights into the many things about which I was (and am) ignorant.  As with Part I, this does not cover anything that has happened since the election. That would require months more of revisions.  I hope you find it worth your valuable time. Geologists tell us that over 200 million years ago the earth’s continents were all bunched together making a single huge one they named Pangea. Then over time violent forces pulled this large landmass apart into the world we see today. It occurs to me that there is a litany of forces at work today trying to pull our American Pangea apart .  A good place to start is identifying some those co...