In this Journal, I will attempt to strip away my protective veneer to view and communicate honestly what the truth is as I perceive it. My intent is to grow, for without an honest evaluation of the truth, how else can one fully absorb life's more difficult lessons and benefit by them. If I do this in secret, then I am still hiding behind a protective veneer, so it is being published online. If you find this Journal, you are welcome to read it and hopefully grow from it as well.



Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Hawaii, July 16 - July 22, 2023 -- A Trip Of A Lifetime

Because of the generosity of Kyle and Diane Kazan, Keoni 23, and Ikaika 10, Brody 18, and Gannon 15, and Anne and I spent a marvelous 6 days together at the luxurious Moana Surfrider Hotel in Waikiki.

Saturday, December 16, 2023

Today was a very special day! (12/15/23)

It was the day in which we donated a substantial amount of money to uplift lives.

It was the day in which we anonymously shared our good fortune with those in need of a helping hand.

Friday, May 5, 2023

Hernia Surgery, 3/9/23

On Thursday, 3/9 I had hernia surgery that was supposed to be routine. Instead, the anesthesia put my lower organs to sleep and they did not at first awaken. This began an emergency two-day stay at Little Company of Mary, with our son Dr. Clayton very much involved and then a 2nd visit to their emergency room.

Greeting People, An Error In Spanish, 5/5/23

Dear Reader,

This morning while greeting school children and their families, commuters and workers, I struggled with some Spanish, for a Latino man who simply wanted to know my name. I felt terrible, and shared my story with my dear friend Yanin Ontiveros who kindly and humorously shared her similar experiences in English, which made me feel better. Here is what I wrote to her in reply: 

Thursday, February 16, 2023

A Special Gift

While greeting people each school day morning from about 7:35 to 8:35, this morning there was a heartwarming, unusual occurrence.

Friday, December 9, 2022

School Day Morning Greetings, 12/9/22

On school day mornings, from about 7:35 am to about 8:35 am I greet children and their families and commuters driving or walking by my home, at a busy intersection, a block from a grade school and near a middle school. I posted this in my Journal on 3/21/22.

Recently, there have been some changes which I discussed yesterday with my dear friend Yanin Ontiveros. This morning I sent her an email summarizing our discussion: 

When I greet people each morning, the vast majority smile and wave from their cars, windows up. Many others put a window or two down to talk and be gently fist bumped. In recent times, the “I love you’s” (Te Amo’s) and other endearments have begun, including a few ladies blowing kisses. I greet most people in English, but also many in Spanish.

Where I focus is in my prayer, “Dear God: That I love others is not dependent upon whether they love me for if I am to grow depends upon me opening my heart to all.” And open my heart to all, I do. (Even the grouchy ones.)

Con Carino - Dick

Thursday, March 24, 2022

School Day Morning Greetings, 3/21/22

Each school day morning from about 7:35 am to about 8:35 am I go out to the edge of the street and greet the many people who are taking their children to school, whether to the school a block from here or a nearby middle school or high school. I also greet the commuters, the pedestrians and others. 

But this early morning was extraordinary and if I may, would like to share it with you:

I greet people from the north side of the street, westbound traffic is directly in front of me. A gentleman in his car on the south side of the street, eastbound, slowly crossed over to block the traffic to fist bump me! I was startled, and as protective of him as I could be.

A woman in her car gave me a small bouquet of white flowers and thanked me for my love.

A 50 - plus year old man from Mexico City, 25-years in the U.S., three-years in Palos Verdes walked up and said he had never seen anything like this before. We spoke English and Spanish and he spoke of what a wonderful life changing event this is.

This is in addition to all the waves, fist bumps and words of good cheer that are standard practice.

With Love To All - Dick