Author Archives: dmtgat

Today I am going to be a “Ramblin’ Man.” It has been five weeks since I last sat down at this keyboard and must admit I never know for sure what will emanate from my fingers so here goes. The date is August 24, 2020, and five local tv interviews have now been completed inContinue reading “Ground Hog Day and It Just Won’t Go Away”

I woke up this morning like I do all mornings and that is a good thing. Today was different. Diane gave me a nudge and asked how I was feeling? I instinctively said “Fine” but then she pressed the issue saying she was waking up with a sense of ennui and wondered if I wasContinue reading “Where Have You Gone, Ozzie and Harriet?”

In the November 19, 2001, issue of Newsweek, author Anna Quindlen wrote, “September 10, 2001 was the last everyday morning of the rest of our lives.” In those 12 words, Quindlen spoke volumes about the world in which we now live. As a member of the 4th quarter congregation, my memory takes me back toContinue reading “It’s Not Mayberry, It’s Macomb”

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”