Ponderings by Dan Ponder

I used to marvel at the many changes my Grandfather experienced in his ninety years.   After talking with him about automobiles, airplanes and electricity his grandkids asked him what the greatest invention was during his long life.  Without hesitation he replied with a simple two word answer; the mini-skirt. I realize now that I have…

The year was 1977.  Mary Lou and I were a year out of college and a year before marriage.  We imagined our future together, though in hindsight we were a bit clueless about what that future would actually bring. That same year the movie “Star Wars” hit the theaters for the first time.  She and…

Another year is gone and with it the opportunity to do all the things I planned to do in 2015. Overall, I did not make as many resolutions last year, which means that I didn’t fail to meet that many resolutions either.   I will start with the biggest shortcoming which was to write regularly…

As much as I love having two grandsons, and four nephews, there is something that tugs at a man’s heart when he has daughters.  In my case, I was blessed with two daughters and never for a single day in my entire life have I regretted having only girls.  In the trying days of their…

Merriam-Webster defines a computer geek as a person that is an enthusiast or expert especially in a technological field or activity, hence the phrase “computer geek”.    I don’t say that in a derogatory manner at all.  In fact, in the early days of computers, I envisioned myself as somewhat of a cutting edge person. …

It was all I could do to move the big flag down to half-staff at the intersection near our office.  The wind was whipping around and made maneuvering the flag more difficult than you would imagine.   The reason for moving the flag, of course, was the recent tragedy in San Bernardino, where yet another…

I arrived home late after keeping Will and Laura, two of my three grandchildren, in Dothan for my wife to attend a meeting.  Mary Lou is staying with them for the week while their parents are out of town.   “Can you keep them for a few hours on Monday night?” she asked.  “All you have…

After writing weekly columns for a number of years, I find myself settling into certain routines.  One of those routines is that I now write a Thanksgiving column to be delivered on Thanksgiving Day each year. I have observed that some of the things I give thanks for each year are the same.  There is…

Paris is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever visited.  The art, the food, and the history are all world class.  After several visits, I have even come to like the Parisians themselves, believing their reputation for being rude to Americans to be overstated. Like most of the world, I woke up Saturday…

Like all recurring dates as you get older, they seem to come faster and faster.  It is no different with Veterans Day.  The only difference is that I think about this significance of this “holiday” more than I did as a young man. I am not a veteran.  It is not that I did not…