That was then, this is now…

7 July 1976. Forty years ago. It was the year of the bicentennial of the United States. A flotilla of tall ships paraded in New York City harbor. And I entered West Point for Beast, probably the most psychologically and physically grueling voluntary seven week of my life. But I and the other 1500 new cadets…

By the Sea, By the Sea, By the Beautiful Sea!

We had such a great time together celebrating the 4th! Me and 23 of my best friends. And no place says “Fourth of July Party” quite like an ocean-viewing beach chair. The weather was perfect and the company even better. But like many grains of sand stuck in the wrong places, all those people gathered…

Getting lost as a spiritual practice

Not all who wander are lost. Except when they are; a condition sometimes deliberately sought and other times a side effect. After deciding to attend summer school and taking the steps that adventure entailed, I arrived in Cambridge on the night before orientation. While I managed to locate where to pick up my ID card and to buy books…