Systems Change Consulting

The Fog of War

My wife, Sheryl, and I left our extended stay on Vancouver Island, almost two weeks ago. The trip went really well and helped us escape the seemingly never ending American madness. Not only was it very beautiful where we stayed in Sooke, British Columbia, and on many other parts of Vancouver Island where we traveled, but the people were very open and friendly....

The Fog of War My wife, Sheryl, and I left our extended stay on Vancouver Island, almost two weeks ago. The trip went really well and helped us escape the seemingly never ending American madness. Not only was it …

Escaping the American Madness

As my regular readers know, my wife Sheryl, and I drove to Sooke, British Columbia, on Vancouver Island, last month, arriving on January 16th. As I wrote during our first week here, this trip is designed to help us determine whether we would potentially move here if democracy truly crumbles in the United States. Winters here can be rainy, and we chose to come here in the winter to see whether the rain was too oppressive for us to want to actually live here....

Escaping the American Madness As my regular readers know, my wife Sheryl, and I drove to Sooke, British Columbia, on Vancouver Island, last month, arriving on January 16th. As I wrote during our first week here, this trip is de…

My New Friend in Gaza

As my readers are aware, about 10 months ago, I started receiving a deluge of requests from people who live in Gaza and were suffering due to Israeli bombardment, Hamas corruption, displacement, starvation, disease, and lack of drinking water. I wrote about my struggle to help the desperate, while understanding that I could not possibly help all 2 million people who live there....

My New Friend in Gaza As my readers are aware, about 10 months ago, I started receiving a deluge of requests from people who live in Gaza and were suffering due to Israeli bombardment, Hamas corruption, displacement, st…

Should We Stay or Should We Go? Part 3

Readers of this blog know that as soon as the sociopath who occupies the White House won last November's election, my wife Sheryl and I, started discussing where we would go if life were no longer tenable in the United States. We quickly settled on Vancouver Island, and as I wrote in Part 2 of this series, we spent a week in Victoria followed by a short time in Sooke, about an hour west of Victoria, with friends who escaped the US after the sociopath first occupied the White House after the 2016 election....

Should We Stay or Should We Go? Part 3 Readers of this blog know that as soon as the sociopath who occupies the White House won last November’s election, my wife Sheryl and I, started discussing where we would go if life were no l…

First World Problems

The past couple of weeks have brought some serious problems my way. About a week and a half ago, I was taking my daily morning shower, and I noticed that the water pressure was not as strong as usual. I only wash my hair about once a week, but I did so on that day. Sure enough, before I was able to rinse the shampoo out of my hair, the water just stopped....

First World Problems The past couple of weeks have brought some serious problems my way. About a week and a half ago, I was taking my daily morning shower, and I noticed that the water pressure was not as strong as usu…

Over the past month or so, a few of my friends from Madison's music community have passed away. They will all be missed not only be me, but by friends, family and their community. Bob Queen left a legacy of bringing world music to Madison, often at free public festivals, and used those events to generate funds for numerous Madison non-profits....

The Space Between the Notes Over the past month or so, a few of my friends from Madison’s music community have passed away. They will all be missed not only be me, but by friends, family and their community. Bob Queen l…

The simple greeting, "how are you?," has become so fraught this year. I'm known for being brutally honest, so when people ask me this simple question, even though I have a lot of good things going on in my life, I can no longer answer with a simple, "fine" or "ok." I usually put a qualifier on it, by saying something like, "other than the world falling apart, I'm fine."...

How are you? The simple greeting, “how are you?,” has become so fraught this year. I’m known for being brutally honest, so when people ask me this simple question, even though I have a lot of …

I recently returned from an 8 day/7 night sea kayak trip on the Canadian side of Lake Huron, with my good friend, Lenny. We explored Baie Fine and McGregor Bay just outside Killarney Provincial Park. Although we paddled approximately 56 miles, other than one 14 mile day, it was mostly a fairly relaxed trip. After all, with both of us in our mid-60s, we have no need to prove anything to each other....

Friendship on the Water I recently returned from an 8 day/7 night sea kayak trip on the Canadian side of Lake Huron, with my good friend, Lenny. We explored Baie Fine and McGregor Bay just outside Killarney Provincial Par…

Readers of this blog may recall that shortly after the sociopath who now occupies the White House was re-elected in November of last year, I pondered the possibility of my wife and I leaving for Canada. Since that time, of course, things have rapidly deteriorated in our nation, from masked ICE raids on law abiding long-time residents of this country to massive reduction in Medicaid benefits and so much horror in between....

Should We Stay or Should We Go? Part 2 Readers of this blog may recall that shortly after the sociopath who now occupies the White House was re-elected in November of last year, I pondered the possibility of my wife and I leaving for Ca…

I have always enjoyed sailing ever since I received my first sailing lessons at summer camp as a child. It is so calming to be on the water, using the wind for my power, and maneuvering the sail and the tiller for direction. While one would think that since I live on Goose Lake, I would have many opportunities to sail, the truth is more complicated....

Sailing Away I have always enjoyed sailing ever since I received my first sailing lessons at summer camp as a child. It is so calming to be on the water, using the wind for my power, and maneuvering the sail an…

Exactly one month ago, I wrote about my struggle to help desperate families in Gaza and sadly, a combination of continued Israeli assault on Gaza and what has now been seven weeks of Israel refusing to allow humanitarian aid to feed and provide medicine to over 2 million people, the situation has only worsened. I continue to help Nour's and Nima's families, and I have also started helping Hanin's family....

Because I am Jewish Exactly one month ago, I wrote about my struggle to help desperate families in Gaza and sadly, a combination of continued Israeli assault on Gaza and what has now been seven weeks of Israel refusin…