Eventually, every man will look for a hobby that defines him. This moment may arrive in his 20s or it may wait until his 40s – but make no mistake, every man will search for a hobby at some point in his life. Hobbies make men feel good about themselves. It gives them a sense of ownership, satisfaction, and sometimes, completion. Hobbies can become an extension of a man. They can be overwhelming and fun or they can become boring and fade out. If a man finds a hobby he loves and sticks with it for life, that’s great. If he finds hobbies that aren’t interesting to him after he dabbles a bit, there are more to choose from. In this post, I list a few of my favorite hobbies and I ask that you list yours too. Good hobbies are tough things to find and settle on. Sometimes it takes some help from posts like this one to locate something truly enjoyable. Continue reading…
How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie (Summary)
Years and years ago, my sister called me up and asked, “If you were to tell a person they should read just one book their entire life, what would that book me?” I recall telling her that everyone should read “The Road” or “Atlas Shrugged” or something like that. I missed an opportunity to think about her question and to give her a proper response. Today, if she asked again, I’d tell her that Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends & Influence People” is the must read. It’ll make anyone a better person and it’ll help anyone look at life the way it’s supposed to be looked at. I first read this book a few decades ago and have again and again through the years. It’s a book that’s embedded itself into my mind and I find myself following its principles more often than not. That’s a good thing because all of the principles contained within are beneficial to just about everyone. Click through to read a wonderfully written summary of this legendary manual for life. Continue reading…
Winter in Maine
Winters in Maine can be quite serious. Each snow storm has the potential to leave behind not inches, but feet of snow and the temperatures can fall well below zero for extended periods. It’s been known to be so cold that the daytime temperature never moves out of negative territory. Laura and I have spent many winters up north and we’ve got the photos to prove it. In this post, I document some of our experiences via rather long and drawn out photo fashion. This post will be updated periodically to continuously add both commentary as well as photography. Enjoy. Continue reading…
My Jiu-Jitsu Story
The stages one must travel through while training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can be exciting, fun, and entertaining, but they can also be long and arduous. The end result can be worth it though, if the person who initially joined didn’t quit half way through. I began training BJJ in 2008 in Connecticut and since then, I’ve trained in Florida and Maine. Thirteen years later, I was awarded my black belt by The Foundry in Farmington and since then I’ve been training and teaching others what I know. In this post, I share my story as well as lots of photos that were taken along the way. Boy, it’s been quite the ride. One I wouldn’t trade for anything else. Enjoy. Continue reading…
Why Excellent Writing is So Important
To me, cultivating the ability to write well is one of the most important and rewarding things a person can do for their well being. It’s so important, in fact, that I believe writing well can change a person’s life. I’m sure there has been story after story about how a note, letter, or some sort of passage has brought two people together, closed a business deal, or began a political or religious movement. Good writing is one of the most powerful forces on earth – yet it oftentimes goes so unnoticed. In this post, I discuss some of the reasons I think writing is important and then I give some tips for how to get better at it. Continue reading…
Sanders Hill Trail, Rome, Maine
Sanders Hill Trail is located in Rome, Maine and is an excellent venue for those who are looking to keep their hike under three miles. The trail is rocky, so be careful, but with those rocks come a variety of features that shouldn’t be missed. Be prepared for the lovely Beaver Brook, a stroll along parts of the Kennebec Highlands Trail, and a view of Watson Pond from the summit of Sanders Hill. Overall, this trail is a nice one and one that should be included on everyone’s list of great Maine hikes. Please click through to take a look at my photos. Also in this post are additional photos of stunning Maine autumn views. While driving home from the trail, Laura and I stopped at two scenic spots as the sun was setting perfectly in the sky. The autumn colors were at their peak vibrancy and the lighting was as warm as it was going to get. What an excellent afternoon. Again, please click through to read all about it. Continue reading…
Cascade Stream Gorge Falls, Sandy River, Maine
Cascade Stream Gorge Trail consists of a fun hiking trail, a semi-large and interesting gorge, and a fun group of waterfalls to explore. The entire trail is less than a mile long and during the process of hiking to its end, you’ll pass a series of waterfalls and chutes. At one point, you’ll walk beside a 90 foot deep gorge with the stream at its base. It great for those who don’t mind trails that are full of large stones and tree roots. I’d say it’s on the medium side of difficulty. In this post, you’ll find photos of this adventurous area as well as commentary that details our thought process before we made it to our destination, what we thought of it once we arrived, and everything else that was related to the day. Click through to check it out! Continue reading…
Quill Hill, Rangeley, Maine
Quill Hill is one of western Maine’s best enjoyed assets. It’s a mountaintop that’s easily accessible to just about anyone. You can drive a regular car, a truck, ATV, side-by-side – whatever you’d like – even an RV, up the well maintained (smooth) dirt road. The land (mountain) is privately owned, so it’s important to respect it, and if you can, donate to it to keep the road and lookout area in top shape. The peak of the mountain boasts an elevation of 2848′ and it offers 360° views. If you’re in the area, it’s a definite must visit. In this post, you’ll read about our trip to Quill Hill and you’ll find photos of the stunning scenery. The area truly is magical and an autumn visit is surely worth the time and effort. Continue reading…
Guide to Investing in Gold & Silver by Michael Maloney (Summary)
While this book does discuss actually investing in gold and silver, you’ll likely not find that the most interesting part. More likely, you’ll find the history of gold, silver, and fiat currency much more fascinating. Where did fiat currency come from? How does it relate to gold? How does it affect an economy? How does war affect an economy? Currency? Gold? There are many questions that you most likely didn’t even know you’d like the answers to in Michael Maloney’s “Guide to Investing in Gold & Silver” book. It’s important to know the history of gold and money if you’d like to become a successful investor though. Otherwise, you’d be flying blind. If you’d like to learn all about this thrilling metal, click through to read all about it. I’ve written a comprehensive summary of the book. Continue reading…
Apples & Bread
With September coming to a close, the season is changing fast. Activities are changing and moods are changing. While Laura and I are continuing on with our daily walks in the cool autumn air, we find ourselves noticing different things in our area. These days, it’s the colorful leaves falling to the ground as well as how the landscape is differing with the quick loss of foliage. I’ve also begun my yearly cooking regimen. In this post, you’ll find a few, what I consider, somewhat nostalgic reflections as well as two of my favorite fall recipes; apple crisp and fluffy homemade dinner rolls. Both will fill your home with the scents of the season and you’ll be better off for it. Give both a try and enjoy. Continue reading…