• Reflections

    The First Day of Summer 

    A longing to be free again Away from this blank palette So many weeks of hiding Habits of the dark and cold Recycled air, recycle thoughts Broken by the obligation How long would this last without distraction? And so, I travel across the land Observing the food growing just beside me Only a few to feed the masses The sun beams down onto my skin Pale from the cloudy sky Or cloudy moods Organic is the world I digest To the horizon and beyond Separated by glass and steel Soundproof and windproof Filtered air hits my face Music surrounds me…

  • Reflections - Updates

    10,000 Miles

    Driving a car has been a cultural phenomenon in this country for many years.  The history is long and usually disturbing; however, my experience has been overall positive.  I purchased a new car after my previous car was flooded in one of those famous Florida hurricanes.  That car barely made it to 10,000 miles, and so this is a big accomplishment.  My current vehicle is running strong, brought me to Illinois, and used to make my weekly commute to the big corporate building for work.    There is nothing like blaring your music and cruising down the interstate going “65 mph”…

  • Reflections

    The Year of Two Weddings

    I will admit this season has been a tough one for me with ever-changing societal rules and work schedules.  The need for a break in the depths of winter is nothing new.  The plane from Chicago to Tampa was packed and for a moment I almost forgot I was a Florida native.  It is hard to change your identity when you spend 90% of your time inside your house.  I have come to really love the state that I reside, however, this is about my recent trip down to see family and friends.   Arrival  When I was planning my trip,…

  • Poetry

    [Virtual] Reality

    If only I could find my way  Unaccustomed to a long commute  I journey on without a suit  The threshold warns of the old rules  If only they would apply in schools  I hear voices, unburdened from wearing a mask  I try to focus on my task  Meeting someone new without any strife  Better than HD in real life  The simple act of sharing a meal  Telling some secrets is part of the deal  Traveling home doesn’t seem so extended  The dread of being alone will soon be suspended  The sun slips behind the horizon  Bursting sky colors are rising …

  • Poetry

    Emotional Frostbite

    The constant change is all aroundExcept the snow that’s on the groundEach day the same inside my homeAll I want to do is roam More people sick than I can countThe numbers always seem to mountAnd so I hide behind my wallsNo one to see, no one to call I build a world inside a gameVirtual love and loss and fameI read a book for all the same reasonsWill this last another season? Yet soon I’ll make a daring moveTo brave the storm with something to proveA land of old friends and old family to seeWhat will they think of…

  • Reflections

    2021 Review and 2022 Goals 

    Professional Life:  2021:  My day-to-day work life did not have a dramatic change like it did back in 2020.  I am still under the same larger department, but the product line is more streamlined.  Instead of handling individual’s money, I am working with business owners to offer their employees life insurance.  In my previous role, there were at least five different types of accounts that I had to be familiar with to handle a standard phone call.  Now that I am down to one product, I am able to dig deeper into the subject.  I have a lot of tenure around me now.  My current Team Lead has over 10 years’ experience…