Author Archives: dmtgat

How are you feeling these days? We have lots to digest including the spread and resurgence of Covid-19 with more positive tests, rising death tolls, increase in unemployment, peaceful protesting, rioting in our cities, destruction of public monuments, police brutality, and an economy in free fall. Back in January of 2020, were any of theseContinue reading “Alex, I’ll Take “Family and Friends” for $1000”

Amid all the turmoil, pain, and suffering that has accompanied the events in our great nation since the first of the year, we recognize that today is D-Day, without which, I would not have the freedom to type this or you to read it. In the fall edition of the WIU alumni publication, I wroteContinue reading “Lest We Forget”

Damn it, I’m tired of all this; it’s time to move forward. After all, it is my 4th Quarter, and life marches inexorably forward regardless of what I do. Like everyone else, I am trying to figure out all of this. I read Time, The Week, and The Atlantic, glance at the New York TimesContinue reading “Don’t Let the Old Man In”

Politician, lawyer, and public speaker in the 1930’s, Frank A. Clark, reminded us “If you find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn’t lead anywhere.” As of today, I find the path ahead as it relates to Covid-19 to be absolutely saturated, blocked, and strewn with obstacles that make it almost impossible to envisionContinue reading “Questions, Questions, Questions”

These are interesting days, weeks, and now it appears months. When will all these trials and tribulations end, what will our lives look like then and from that day forward? There is no simple answer and assume there are plenty of experts in think tanks around the world working on this extremely complex problem. IContinue reading ““When you’re going through hell, keep going.” Winston Churchill (1943)”

What the hell is going on? January 13–arrive on Marco Island, Florida to spend a delightful, unencumbered three months of “fun in the sun.” January 15–begin visits, dinners, lunches, and even golf with family and friends. January 20–read in USA Today about a virus in China January 21–purchase plane tickets and use all our MarriottContinue reading “Please Go Away…”

Here I am in Florida, and it has been a fun couple of months walking, sitting on the beach, spending quality time with Diane, and reflecting; yes, reflecting on how I got to this place in my life and what it all means.  I recently turned 74 and while no one says anything, we allContinue reading “Good Fortune”

I never really thought much about the poignancy of the title The Fourth Quarter when I embarked on this journey other than the fact that I am clearly in it as my life plays out. Then it happened and it hit me like a thunderbolt. I was preparing to watch the Superbowl with Diane andContinue reading “A Fist to My Face”

We made it to Florida and are enjoying the warm weather and sunny skies. Thought I would take a few minutes and throw out a “stream of conscious” paragraph or two on the topic folks ask me about the most–the state of Western Illinois University.  These are my thoughts, and I take full and completeContinue reading “A View of Western Illinois University”

I’m back and circumstances have aligned themselves in the horizons to give me impetus to do another of these “messages” prior to our Christmas Odyssey. The Christmas holidays are a melancholy time for me. The family from which I came is all gone. Mom 47, Dad 74, David 71, Douglas 54, Gregory 59–little too muchContinue reading “The Holiday Spirit”