The author, Mark Edward Jabbour, age nineteen, crossing East Maroon Creek, fifty years ago today. It was August of 1969 and I was camped on the east fork, across the water from the paved road, via my 1946 Willy's Jeep. I was spear fishing wild trout. It was summer break between my freshman and sophomore … Continue reading Set yourself free
Failing to learn from losing
Failing to learn from losing is a chapter title in my recent book Election 2016: The Great Divide, The Great Debate. Actually a partial title. The full title is "A Sobering Weekend: Failing to Learn from Losing" (pg. 109). Last night's Democratic debate reminded me of that chapter. The sub-title is, "April 12, 2016". Empathy is just … Continue reading Failing to learn from losing
The Magpie Cafe, part II
Yesterday, two days after Valentine's Day, I walked when the weather had warmed. The usual - past the site of the future Magpie Cafe - and lo, the birds had begun nesting behavior - repairing winter damage, preening and posing, chatting, and yes - kissing. Call me crazy for asking, but how do they know? The … Continue reading The Magpie Cafe, part II
Snowbound, screens, & self care
On the cusp of the New Hampshire primary, here in Colorado I've been snowbound. It has snowed six of the last eight days. Back-in-the-day (forty-nine years ago to the day), such a barrage of snow would not have fazed me. In fact it would have invigorated me. Then, I was living in a cabin in … Continue reading Snowbound, screens, & self care
The Magpie Cafe
The Magpie Cafe is a dream. Ever since I began working in the restaurant industry some fifty years ago - I've imagined having a cafe that integrated where I lived with that which I love. Mostly, of all things - I love people and conversation, good food and spirits, music, wood and wild country. So … Continue reading The Magpie Cafe
Life and death matters
Life and death matters, maybe. A few days past, in early morning fog, there was a helicopter crash that killed all nine people aboard. One, Kobe Bryant, was a basketball legend. He was only forty-one years old, retired, yet in the prime of his life. The outpouring of shock, grief, and sadness has been unmatched, … Continue reading Life and death matters
Rogan endorses Sanders
Joe Rogan endorses Bernie Sanders, for the Democrat primary ... . (Pay attention!) I bet he pulls the lever for Trump. I'm just spitballing. But, at the end of the day, after all is said and done ... I'll bet you, no matter the Democrat nominee, Joe Rogan pulls the lever for Trump. But, we'll … Continue reading Rogan endorses Sanders
2020 Democratic Candidate Quiz
The Washington Post has devised a quiz to see who you most agree with regarding policy positions amongst the Democratic candidates. I took it, and so did my friend Max. (Max is a fictional composite of real people I know who first appears in Election 2016: The Great Divide, The Great Debate.) Max and I debated … Continue reading 2020 Democratic Candidate Quiz
The soul of America, part II
Well, well, well. Here we are on the eve of the trial to convict Donald J. Trump, the President of the United States, of acts of such extraordinary grievance, that he should be removed from office (by force if necessary), because: The fate of the USA (not to mention the world/planet) hinges upon that! My, … Continue reading The soul of America, part II
The soul of America
Watching the Democrat's debate last night and then sleeping on it, I've come to this conclusion: the 2020 election is for "the soul of America". Those words and that thought was articulated by Joe Biden, the presumptive nominee, in his closing remarks. He said, "Character is on the ballet. We have to restore America's soul." … Continue reading The soul of America
Books, bookstores, and bookshelves
Books, bookstores, and bookshelves could certainly be a book in itself. So where and when to begin? I may be the foremost expert on the subject. Because in my life I have been a reader, builder, seller, writer, and teacher - all at a high level. When I was three my father would read to … Continue reading Books, bookstores, and bookshelves