tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62407612012-01-23T12:22:09.599-06:00"I have always had more dread of a pen, a bottle of ink, and a sheet of paper, than of a sword or pistol." - CaderousseUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger6081100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-54611211453180874862012-01-23T12:22:00.001-06:002012-01-23T12:22:09.631-06:00

There are loads of reasons to love Arkansas and particularly, Little Rock. One of them I have mentioned before and will no doubt mention in the future: the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. I am not able to attend every performance they offer, but when I do go, it is always an excellent experience. Next weekend, the Masterworks series event will be "Russian Winter." I'm looking forward to hearing

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-70093498018929029672012-01-22T15:28:00.000-06:002012-01-22T15:28:30.741-06:00

There was a time not too many years ago that I would have absolutely relished the opportunity created by the recent "Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus" video online. I would have stayed up until a crazy hour of the morning writing blog posts and commenting on other blogs. I would have taken a smug posture toward the "poet" and anyone "liking" his work. The fact that I have shown restraint on

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-66541066172776210732012-01-20T16:18:00.001-06:002012-01-20T16:18:17.288-06:00

I don't always agree with Nicholas Kristof, Op-Ed Columnist for the New York Times, but I always respect his opinion. Kristof has a way of expressing himself that endears him to me even when I'm not nodding in affirmation of his point. In the case of the following link, I actually do endorse his message. Take some time to read this. It grabbed my attention because of my experience with banking,

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-48972054607195452402012-01-11T11:56:00.000-06:002012-01-11T11:58:41.697-06:00

Recommending a few links. It has been a while since you've seen any activity here on the blog. Wilson's Home Improvement does windows and siding in Arkansas. We had a great experience with them for our new windows. London's Natural History Museum recently had a visit from my family and we had a lot of fun. The Queen's Theatre (home of Les Miserables) was the destination for a memorable date

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-50238950547352340422011-09-09T12:45:00.000-05:002011-09-09T12:46:01.473-05:00

Imagine you are sitting across from someone who is venting about another person's behavior. Whatever the particular issue is, the motivation for the "bad" behavior is being construed as somehow offensive or unethical, and certainly wrong, maybe even disgusting. The motivation is...quite clearly...selfishness. The offending party has done something based on their own self-interest, and the

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-75479188276737717472011-09-09T12:09:00.002-05:002011-09-09T12:09:45.104-05:00

If you regularly follow my writings here, on Facebook, and now on Twitter, you may be tempted to heartily embrace my way of thinking and quite naturally give me far too much credit. This possibility leads me to disclose that pretty much all of my thoughts have been thought by others. I arrive at some ideas somewhat independently (without simply reading another person's words), but even that

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-76355391019674947232011-08-18T14:26:00.004-05:002011-08-18T16:15:28.221-05:00

You have no doubt come to expect that my posts here are often going to relate in some way to self-interest as a primary motive for human behavior. I'm fascinated by the topic. There are a variety of angles from which to ponder it. Today, I read an article dealing with "coalitional interest" or more simply stated, motivation for group behavior. The general idea is that a human is always going to

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-83905758148994254732011-08-08T12:04:00.006-05:002011-08-10T10:31:40.641-05:00

Our family took a trip to Gulf Shores, AL last week. It was a great vacation, and it afforded us the opportunity to listen to LOTS of Disney movie soundtracks. I'm a big fan of cinematic orchestra, which has always aided my enjoyment of Disney movies. One song stood out to me on this particular trip, because it is one that I have known for a long time and a lyric jumped out that resonated with

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-44114873084140492462011-07-22T13:56:00.005-05:002011-07-22T14:20:57.416-05:00

You feel like you handle yourself in a rational manner with regard to discussion of some issues and situations, but then there are some topics where you seem prone to an irrational adrenaline-generating almost-angry response. Why?You explain a view on an important topic very calmly and respectfully to a friend or family member, but they seem blatantly closed-minded in their refusal to really

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-43705722250432030122011-07-10T18:31:00.004-05:002011-07-10T18:48:20.923-05:00

I recently encountered a very brief and simple exchange on Facebook where I was reminded of the basic underlying arguments between "conservatives" and "liberals" about government-arranged financial aid for people whose problems fall in the "social" category (as opposed to disaster relief, for instance). I like arguments of this nature when there is some sort of reasonableishness being expressed

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-22663138476009993932011-06-17T22:02:00.000-05:002011-06-17T22:03:00.254-05:00

If you are visiting via your smart phone, you've noticed that I enabled a new Blogger feature for mobile viewing. I like it. AND I'm posting this message using the Email-to-Blog feature for the second time today!

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-49734950748982769822011-06-17T16:59:00.004-05:002011-06-17T17:18:25.645-05:00

I've had this on my to-do list for days and cannot manage to make time for it. A friend recently posted this link on Facebook and I "liked" it in Facebook-terms as well as liking it in normal terms. Take a few moments to browse the article. If you like it, take a few moments to browse the rest of this guy's site. Interesting stuff.Suggested Article: Theme: Once you adopt a belief about something,

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-60883327385887575912011-06-17T16:58:00.001-05:002011-06-17T17:08:31.138-05:00

Do you know people whose general ethics include this notion? If I can get away with it, it's okay to do.

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-13062899226295285962011-05-29T18:10:00.004-05:002011-05-29T18:29:34.385-05:00

Today is my birthday. Many people are taking the day off from work tomorrow. Coincidence? I've had a good day and I haven't even had my cake yet (but I can smell it cooking and I'm tellin' you, it's gonna be good). I'm looking forward to reading my new book, Remembering Fenway Park (PURCHASE HERE). I've spent enough time browsing it already to know that it is awesome. We had a nice lunch out with

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-6137460937955208292011-05-29T17:25:00.003-05:002011-05-29T18:08:29.423-05:00

I was recently directed to an apology, composed and delivered by a pastor to his congregation, and made available to the general public. I have no direct interest in the mess being addressed there, but I am intrigued by this scenario where a leader, not found engaging in scandalous crimes, would be persuaded to stand in front of his followers and apologize for providing a hurtful type of

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-50188656806195122542011-05-27T16:40:00.004-05:002011-05-27T17:07:45.834-05:00

I have on numerous occasions determined that I would be much more diligent to post with regularity on this blog. This determination has sometimes resulted in regular posts, and other times, it has been as effective as a wet spaghetti noodle in a log chopping contest. So, with some hesitation, I hereby say for the record that I do intend to resume some regular effort at updating this old web log.

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-78827364712013502992011-03-11T11:47:00.002-06:002011-03-11T11:49:31.309-06:00

Downtown Little Rock, crossing the river into North Little Rock...from one Irish pub to the other. We plan to check it out:IRISH CULTURAL SOCIETY OF ARKANSAS

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-87795010065487031752011-03-10T16:33:00.003-06:002011-03-10T16:44:15.303-06:00

I learned a new word today. It seems strange to me that I hadn't known it before. You may have already caught it in use over on my sidebar to the right. Contranym is a word that has two opposite or contradictory meanings. Examples in the following link include fast, buckle, weather, and overlook:Answers.com for "Contranym"

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-49442728485239516962011-03-10T10:20:00.002-06:002011-03-10T10:23:29.886-06:00

FROM ABC NEWS:"Because it's a full moon at its closest approach, it's going to be big and really bright. It should be noticeably brighter than a normal full moon. I would suggest that you take the opportunity and go out at night," NASA astronomer Dave Williams said. "This is the biggest full moon that you will ever see. You will see this moon again, but this is as big as it gets."CLICK HERE FOR

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-80116768458065118252011-03-09T14:14:00.005-06:002011-03-09T16:19:40.984-06:00

Pastor Rob Bell has prompted some controversial conversation again. His new book challenges the common Christian belief that hell is real. The book is called Love Wins: Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived. Pastor Bell asks, "Will only a few select people make it to heaven? And will billions and billions burn forever in hell?" I have not read the book but it is reported that

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-19220198302217590582011-01-20T16:50:00.000-06:002011-01-20T17:13:29.540-06:00

This week, a friend of mine posted this quote on Facebook from Martin Luther King Jr.'s Nobel Prize acceptance speech:"I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality...I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word..." (10 December

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-64782001570108566232011-01-20T09:23:00.003-06:002011-01-20T09:46:46.790-06:00

It seems to me that the United States President gets paid a very low salary considering his responsibilities. But on further reflection, I realize that his monthly paycheck doesn't have to cover much. Right? When was the last time you saw a President swiping his debit card at a gas pump? It's not like he is running down to Economy Liquor to grab his own bottle of wine, or haggling with DirecTV

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-82569544680351729142011-01-19T10:53:00.004-06:002011-01-19T10:55:19.096-06:00

I'm not quite sure but it seems that the birds in my backyard are politely waiting each morning until I wake up before they start singing. It's almost like my alarm is also waking them up. Maybe instead of singing, they are chatting about my alarm going off too early.

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-7674020266543030572011-01-03T10:10:00.002-06:002011-01-03T10:21:16.529-06:00

We moved between Christmas and New Year's last week! We've been actively trying to make it happen for a little over 3 years! Well, it was on again / off again over that time, but we had been seriously on the market with an agent since March 2010. So....we're very very pleased. All is completely settled with regard to the two transactions, selling our old home and buying our new home. We still

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-81479674422847563782010-12-13T11:11:00.003-06:002010-12-13T11:33:19.302-06:00

I hope that you regularly click on the links in my sidebar to the right. Particularly, I hope that you browse the Little Rock and Arkansas related links often. Here are a few more I'll be adding:InArkansas.com An excellent online guide to Arkansas from the Arkansas Business Publishing Group. (The editor, Karen Martin, is married to Philip Martin who has hit the fan group lottery by being linked

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-46168495530574690942010-12-12T15:15:00.004-06:002010-12-12T15:33:57.549-06:00

I have no idea if this link will work, but it appears that the Facebook profile is open to public viewing so I'm giving it a shot with potential non-Facebook readers here. Philip Martin is a columnist and movie critic for the Arkansas Democrat Gazette. I have often enjoyed his writing and have also heard him in a regular guest gig at Little Rock's 103.7 The Buzz radio station.In this Facebook

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-9981393727973989092010-11-19T16:51:00.004-06:002010-12-13T11:06:40.342-06:00

This is a fascinating article which highlights two very different ways to look at one "really important" issue. For those of you who never fail to read and absorb my ruminationisms on this site, you are in no need of my prefatory remarks on grasping the heart of the article without being distracted by the provocative particulars mentioned in it. You may skip to the next paragraph with my profound

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-84475170599659368642010-10-19T11:53:00.002-05:002010-10-19T12:27:23.340-05:00

On Saturday, we visited Motley's Pumpkin Patch & Christmas Tree Farm for the first time. They've been around for years but we had not tried them out before. I was very impressed with their setup. We picked pumpkins, cheered at the pig races, and toured the Christmas tree area via hayride. The children fed a donkey and some goats and rode the "cow train" (painted barrels being pulled by a tractor)

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-41118369560555831902010-10-14T09:14:00.004-05:002010-10-14T10:07:45.188-05:00

You've encountered the question so many times: If you could invite 5 people to dinner, dead or alive, who would you invite? It's a fun little exercise that might reveal your favorite author, favorite world leader, favorite spiritual influence, most valued ancestor, etc.But suppose that in real life, you are stuck in a collapsed mine in Chile for more than two months and you receive a message from

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-44816332135720565602010-08-22T20:40:00.002-05:002010-08-22T22:07:37.075-05:00

Religion. Politics. Parenting. Name your issue that prompts strong opinions. Whatever it is, everyone reading my blog can relate to the concern of being “right” about something and wanting to help someone who is “wrong” to see the light.Some of you will recall that I referred you back in the Fall of 2009 to the “Can You Hear Me Now?” series of articles by Dale McGowan. The prompting for this post

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-50114955276837616652010-08-14T11:00:00.003-05:002010-08-14T11:48:15.261-05:00

Thomas Sowell is concerned with a "mentality that turns statistical differences into grievances." He says, "The time is long overdue to throw this race card out of the deck and start seeing it for the gross fallacy that it is." Sowell is responding to an article which appeared in the New York Times earlier this week. The suggestion was that a statistical disparity in the skin-color of third-base

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-72202722282108985122010-08-04T19:57:00.003-05:002010-08-04T20:11:43.384-05:00

Count how many times the players wearing white pass the ball. This is a cool YouTube video from Dr. Daniel Simons, co-author of The Invisible Gorilla. Check out the video and then the book.

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-83737893052344751632010-07-18T14:16:00.002-05:002010-07-18T14:33:47.200-05:00

When I was a teenager, my family had a tradition every Fall, that after attending a weekend retreat at Ferncliff, we would drive just around the corner on the Sunday to Hidden Valley Farm's Pumpkin Patch. It was quite magnificent for a pumpkin patch, or at least it seemed grand to me, and it was very popular despite the distance from the city. A few years ago, we took our children to the farm and

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-79523461049562335152010-07-11T14:05:00.003-05:002010-07-11T14:20:10.641-05:00

It is not my best or most important accomplishment, but replacing the starter rope on my lawnmower today is certainly now among my favorite accomplishments. I don't know how I've made it to the age of 31 without having done this before; I feel sure that several of you will have successfully tackled this task and thought little of it. For me, having the starter rope break and recoil under the hood

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-62202324292771163542010-07-10T14:35:00.002-05:002010-07-10T14:45:29.083-05:00

I’m no neuro-scientist, but I suspect that there is some legitimacy to the findings in the link at the bottom of this post (Addicted to Love). One bit of my own anecdotal evidence seems to agree with the researchers’ work.I was born and raised in Arkansas; it has always been my home. I moved away (to Louisville, KY) for three years and learned then how much I had taken my love of Arkansas for

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-5831498972826016892010-07-07T21:19:00.003-05:002010-07-07T21:29:25.526-05:00

I've neglected the blog for a while, but you can anticipate that I'll have a few things to share soon. I tend to be inspired to write when I've been admiring good writing by others. I have recently finished two books that I recommend to you:Stone Cold by David BaldacciThe Fountainhead by Ayn Rand

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-11956283584553899952010-04-30T20:06:00.004-05:002010-04-30T20:30:27.243-05:00

When I was a slightly younger man learning to be a lender at a bank, interest rates were on the way down (2001). By the time I was actually giving advice to people about serious loan decisions, rates appeared to be about as low as they would go. At the time, the home mortgage market was incentivizing Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) loans by offering an even lower rate if you didn't mind taking a

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-34848952200119641242010-03-05T09:16:00.004-06:002010-03-05T09:44:08.831-06:00

Last night, the Envoys were given a special preview of the new expansion tower of the Winthrop P Rockefeller Cancer Institute. The hard-hat tour was led by the Institute's director, Dr. Peter Emanuel. The new facility is already beautiful and there is still plenty more construction work yet to be completed. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product in a few months.

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-46278669375475462332010-03-03T12:59:00.005-06:002010-03-03T13:33:07.405-06:00

Thursday, March 18th - 5pm to 7pm - War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.Create Little Rock is launching an event showcasing the region's nonprofit organizations. This will be an opportunity for nonprofit exhibitors to connect with new volunteers in the area, and it will give the event's guests an opportunity to learn more about the wide variety of ways to be engaged in serving the community.One

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-60253105190758581302010-02-27T07:37:00.004-06:002010-02-27T08:10:16.104-06:00

Open Range (Robert Duvall, Kevin Costner, Annette Bening)Excellent Western released in 2003. Boss and Charlie would like to mind their own cowboy business, but the bad guys cross some lines and have to be dealt with. I've seen it a couple of times before but it had been awhile.Click here for IMDB.Couples Retreat (Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau)Hilarious but slightly awkward in hitting home! Fun

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-82185552778735895792010-02-21T14:12:00.003-06:002010-02-21T14:35:29.672-06:00

You have friends or acquaintances who are cynical when it comes to taking care of the planet. Maybe they give lip-service regarding some dedication to "good stewardship" of what has been mercifully bestowed upon them, but the real-life everyday application of that stewardship appears more like a simple desire to maximize the size and protection of their own hoard. Mention recycling or energy

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-23300378561868450812010-02-20T17:27:00.004-06:002010-02-20T18:09:13.004-06:00

I was not the first person to think of a service like OnStar's Stolen Vehicle Slowdown, BUT I definitely thought of it before I heard about it. My mind has amazing capabilities to wander and one day, it occurred to me that OnStar could be used for some extremely helpful services.We've known for some time that OnStar can unlock your doors via satellite if you lock your keys inside. And it has also

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-23878680120515217592010-02-09T16:04:00.002-06:002010-02-09T16:29:15.017-06:00

If you were given a book about the earth and the purpose of its inhabitants, you would laugh with incredulity to find that it was written by a cockroach. (Of course, cockroaches can't write, so please just pretend that one of them dictated the book to a proper stenographer.)You would not give much credence to the book because you know not to trust something so small and insignificant as a

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-12786307239483317562010-02-09T06:44:00.004-06:002010-02-09T07:17:42.556-06:00

I wrote recently about the wintery precipitation building up on my back deck one morning. Its kind of a big deal to get real winter weather in Arkansas. Every year, we get a couple of wintery events, but more often than not, they don't amount to much.This morning, as the sun rises to what appears to be a completely clear sky, we have at least 8 inches of very nice snow covering everything. I

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-32871254365714122442010-01-31T17:31:00.001-06:002010-01-31T17:35:09.409-06:00

I took a few notes while listening to a group's leader address members of the group today. If you associate with a group of any kind, consider whether these principles may be consistent with your experience. Everyone is assigned the task of spreading the word.The individuals within the larger group have access to people that the leaders may not be able to reach, so its important that the leaders

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-70583911092810082572010-01-31T14:44:00.004-06:002010-01-31T15:16:55.078-06:00

I occasionally touch on somewhat sensitive matters here...moral, ethical, religious, personal matters. It is not uncommon for the angle of my writing to have a tone of exhortation, as if "I" am telling "you" what to think or do. The natural feeling then in receiving these words may be that I feel I know more than you or have experienced more than you or have more authority than you.On the

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-155560338134780102010-01-30T08:51:00.013-06:002010-01-30T10:11:17.514-06:00

Create Little Rock is the newest initiative of the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce. I recently shared the link with you but now the group has officially launched and has also completely revamped its website. The stated purpose of the new group is "to retain, develop and attract a talented, creative and competitive workforce to enhance the economic development of the Little Rock region."

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-4366541051407727532010-01-29T07:02:00.003-06:002010-01-29T07:40:46.066-06:00

Via Facebook, every product, place, and person can setup a page and enable the community of facebookers to become a "fan." With a variety of charitable or philanthropic causes locally and globally, it is quite common for people to become financial donors or supporters. But with a good bit of thoughtfulness, the Winthrop P Rockefeller Cancer Institute has created a group called "Envoys."I signed

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-66610939431503606862010-01-29T06:56:00.002-06:002010-01-29T07:00:29.223-06:00

As dawn develops, I am looking onto the back deck. There is a constant tip-tap-tip-tip-tip-tap. The precipitation is not visible in the air but the sound is there as it lands on the deck. And the deck already has a substantial accumulation of what must be ice.

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-66911942620990149562010-01-19T09:31:00.006-06:002010-01-19T10:22:31.334-06:00

Two more links for the sidebar...City of Little Rock (official website for the city government)www.littlerock.orgLittle Rock Parks and Recreation"Our city is nestled among a profusion of green open spaces and natural areas set aside for recreational, educational, ecological and aesthetic benefits for the people who live here to enjoy at their leisure."

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-6362792892050057882010-01-17T15:36:00.003-06:002010-01-17T15:56:14.347-06:00

The word dogma is generally associated with religious or philosophical communities, but in essence, it simply refers to delineating tenets or core principles. Dogma is an important tool for a community that desires structural stability. In fact, dogma seems necessary in order to construct an orderly, coherent system that is capable of providing a basis of inclusion/exclusion for the community.

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-62032023581406582542010-01-17T09:20:00.007-06:002010-01-17T15:57:09.868-06:00

Last night's presentation by the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra was truly dazzling. The guest conductor was one of five candidates being considered to take the permanent position. Fusao Kajima was animated and very entertaining in his direction of the concert. And his candidacy was certainly not hindered by the aid of an extraordinarily talented pianist Valentina Lisitsa (yes the same one who was on

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-88506641625448267432010-01-11T16:51:00.004-06:002010-01-12T18:15:04.430-06:00

I followed a suggested link from a blog that I follow and am glad I did. Now you do the same! Elizabeth Esther is a refreshingly skillful, blogging writer with a interesting perspective on all sorts of things. I'm not going to take the trouble to provide further introduction. Just allocate a full 2 minutes of your life and check out the site yourself to decide whether you want to bookmark it and

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-2631384935204386932010-01-09T21:05:00.002-06:002010-01-09T21:07:26.462-06:00

I found this post from the week that I first started growing my beard six years ago. From day one I aimed at keeping it "long term." Fun times. Check it out:January 2004

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-42327530690166206712010-01-09T20:46:00.003-06:002010-01-09T20:58:57.731-06:00

I have on more than one occasion noted my beardiversary here on the blog. I started growing a full beard very shortly after I started blogging roughly six years ago. So for nearly all of my blogging days, I have been a bearded blogger. But not today. I trimmed my beard completely off today and finished it with a razor. No more beardiversaries for a while. I was rather attached to my beard, and

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-47624041869418725222010-01-04T12:42:00.005-06:002010-01-06T11:08:01.520-06:00

I'm adding a few more links to the sidebar. These relate to Little Rock. Check them out when you have time.Create Little Rock (CLICK HERE)A new professional networking initiative of the LR Chamber of Commerce to retain, develop, and attract a workforce that will enhance the economic development of the region.DowntownLittleRock.com (CLICK HERE)A sponsored site supporting the vibrant vitality of

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-56525981787294958982010-01-04T12:14:00.002-06:002010-01-04T12:41:47.635-06:00

We got our first decent snow of the season last night and the children have been out playing in it with Mama this morning. Pics are posted via slideshow in the column at the right.Around these parts, it is highly unusual to get a true snow event. We usually see freezing rain, sleet, ice. If we're lucky, we sometimes get a coating of snow over top of the nasty dangerous stuff. But this morning, we

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-86749696584518265402010-01-03T12:12:00.004-06:002010-01-03T12:43:01.813-06:00

I attended the Liberty Bowl yesterday in Memphis. My Arkansas Razorbacks faced the Pirates of East Carolina University. I've attended quite a few college football games in my life, but this was my first experience with a postseason bowl game. I enjoyed the experience overall, but two important elements were not all that pleasant.1. Weather. The timing of the game coincided with sunset and there

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-91097167992129051802009-12-30T17:00:00.006-06:002009-12-30T17:21:35.868-06:00

When my first child was born, I was of the opinion that children shouldn't be led to believe in Santa. My position was that it does more damage than good to encourage belief that Santa really is real. I thought it was fine to pass along the story as a story, and include whatever real history may be relevant regarding a good man who had done many good deeds for many young children around Christmas

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-59945327634505317522009-12-30T10:18:00.002-06:002009-12-30T10:21:29.598-06:00

The following is a "New Year's Resolution" posted on Facebook by Lucinda Ruth Plumlee (who gave me permission to share)."The New Year is approaching. Saying goodbye to who I was and hello to who I will be. 2009 brought lessons learned (some were fun, some hurt, and some really hurt), decisions made (some good, some bad, and some I regret), a broken heart that will heal, some fun times, and some

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-48442166186859853772009-12-28T12:38:00.006-06:002009-12-28T14:56:48.557-06:00

Some way or other, I recently encountered the website, "Religion Dispatches", and became a fan on Facebook. (Here is an explanation of what the website is about: CLICK.) Browsing their homepage today, I noticed an excerpt from a new book, Frank Schaeffer's Patience With God: Faith for People Who Don't Like Religion (or Atheism). I am a sucker for a provocative title and had recently seen Mr.

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-18532019851933165072009-12-11T12:56:00.004-06:002010-01-04T13:46:53.888-06:00

For any readers here who are newcomers, please note that in the archives of this blog, you are very likely to encounter some interesting contradictions of thought. It is a simultaneously cool and uncool thing about blogging that you have a permanent record of what was going on in your head at different points over time. There are some things I enjoy going back and reading, and some things that

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-58781524391184874742009-12-10T08:45:00.001-06:002009-12-10T09:03:26.963-06:00

A unique, useful product. An intriguing, infectious perspective. What motivates people to go to the rooftops with their messages? Whatever the message is, that’s not the motivation. The irresistable urge to get the word out and get people on board is the deeply held belief that the world would be a better place collectively and all people would be better off individually, if only the message

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-70528631166120245902009-12-01T12:50:00.003-06:002009-12-01T12:59:18.213-06:00

New York Times Op-Ed Columnist Nicholas Kristof says, "...there’s no doubt that religion remains one of the most powerful forces in the world." Read his interesting piece from 11/25/09 titled "The Religious Wars." CLICK HERE.

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-75536681082668717972009-11-30T16:04:00.003-06:002009-11-30T16:16:31.027-06:00

"We are, I believe, pretty much what we seem to be...most of us are who we will ourselves to be. Some of us are more introspective than others, more given to questioning the authenticity of our feelings and pangs of existential dread. But we are defined by what we do in the world, not by prattling internal monologues. Motives matter less than effects: Give money to do-gooder causes and you are

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-42181175265606191292009-11-15T10:40:00.002-06:002009-11-15T10:46:06.880-06:00

In the likely event that you read my recent post about Dale McGowan's series and immediately rushed over to check it out because you so highly regard my opinion...I thought I should give you a heads up that the next post in the series is now up at his site. In somewhat related news, my recent post "Community Division" is not from an entirely different vein than the Can You Hear Me Now? series.

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-88112143883258310502009-11-15T10:36:00.002-06:002009-11-15T10:40:09.160-06:00

“[People] draw this neat little circle, and everyone inside the circle is normal. Everyone outside the circle should be beaten, broken, and reset so they can be brought into the circle. Failing that, they should be institutionalized, or worse, pitied.” – Dr. Gregory House played by Hugh Laurie in the Fox series House. There seems to be a natural instinct to seek community. We all like to

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-31178741725123733772009-10-31T15:56:00.004-05:002009-10-31T16:29:49.327-05:00

I’ve encounted a series of posts by a blogging writer who has been saying what I wanted to say, only he’s been saying it way, way better. And as you’ll see, one of the reasons he says it better is that he has what some call “authority.” Dale McGowan makes a deliberate effort to hear what others are saying, and he makes deliberate efforts to be heard. It appears to me that he is regularly

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-59830779539707643702009-10-16T12:55:00.002-05:002009-10-16T13:09:17.210-05:00

I am considering changing my name to Anonymous Sources Close to the Situation. I think it would be cool to be quoted and credited in all sorts of press conferences, newspapers, magazines, online articles, etc. I wonder if I could make stories more interesting just by throwing out information randomly that reporters could legitimately share "according to Anonymous Sources". "Anonymous Sources

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-66354924340155609852009-09-28T12:05:00.002-05:002009-09-28T12:11:52.549-05:00

Have you ever received this little bit of wisdom from a friend or family member? “You’re gonna miss this.” You are complaining or gently expressing some form of discontentment about some kind of circumstance, when someone who has been in your shoes says, “You’re gonna miss this.” College exams are looming…or…baby is crying at 3am…or…finances are tight this month. Whatever the excuse is for

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-23267985230736792012009-09-23T10:08:00.003-05:002009-09-23T10:12:37.785-05:00

I have posted a new sidebar link, "Planning For Your Future". This is the blog of a fine attorney who also happens to be my friend and fraternity brother, Kris Boyd. For more on Kris Boyd, here is his law firm's primary website: CLICK HERE.

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-66027419010393516502009-09-18T17:38:00.002-05:002009-09-18T17:52:30.720-05:00

Three definitions: dictionary version, my general understanding, and an opponent’s summary. 1. “An economic system in which the means of production and distribution are privately or corporately owned and development is proportionate to the accumulation and reinvestment of profits gained in a free market.” The word “free” is key there as the dictionary also gives “communism” as an antonym. 2.

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-56688007790831188352009-09-11T14:55:00.003-05:002009-09-11T15:01:52.290-05:00

In general, I will not make a habit of arguing for or against a President because of his or her political party affiliation. I am neither a committed Democrat or Republican. I will support ideas that seem good to me and oppose ideas that seem bad to me. And I do tend to like an underdog. So if someone’s voice seems to be falling on deaf ears and their ideas are being misrepresented, I’ll be

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-77717066269892065752009-09-11T14:07:00.001-05:002009-09-11T14:13:11.153-05:00

I am not opposed to activism. Essentially, it is simply the refusal of people with ideas to allow those ideas to go unheard. Of course it is good to actively pursue the improvement of the world we live in. And there are so many aspects of this life that have room for improvement that activism does not need to be limited to national political headlines or local recycling programs. What is

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-49040065583338737052009-08-30T11:35:00.000-05:002009-08-30T11:36:10.989-05:00

Hello jhg63, thank you for your response.The intent of my last post is not so much related to Christianity as it is about how people deal with other people. The sociological angle is what I’m getting at.Christianity obviously provides a good and easy example, but there are also many other ways to illustrate the situation where one person believes he has a handle on a truth and then finds himself

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-8665395847866909642009-08-29T17:19:00.001-05:002009-08-29T17:19:22.374-05:00

You want to be respected, so show respect. You want others to be gracious toward you, so be gracious.You have views and opinions and beliefs that you would like others to embrace, so adopt an open and attentive posture when you encounter others who have a different perspective.If you would like people to believe that your religious faith is genuine and that it is an important part of who you are,

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-65879644375402472872009-08-24T23:39:00.003-05:002009-08-24T23:48:52.819-05:00

This blog began nearly six years ago. During that time, I have written quite a variety of things here as you may have already seen in the archives. There have been a number of relatively significant shifts of thought on several topics, and you may discover contradictory sentiments expressed as you browse. Be assured that you are only scratching the surface of the conflicting notions that have

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-44737538333261885002009-08-18T14:22:00.003-05:002009-08-18T14:57:12.151-05:00

I am thrilled to learn of the trade between the Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers involving Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez. I saw Rodriguez play live for the Rangers in the very first Major League Baseball game I ever attended in 1992, and he has long been my all-time favorite baseball player. He played 12 seasons with the Rangers which is a very long time in MLB terms and I believe is the best

Mike Terrellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-77703731428787011092009-08-17T12:08:00.002-05:002009-08-17T12:12:45.190-05:00

I'm pondering restarting things here. I was an active blogger from December 2003 until late 2005 and I really enjoyed blogging in those days. After a difficult situation of forcing myself not to write about the things that were most interesting to me for several months, I had trouble getting back into it. Some recent conversation has prompted me to reflect fondly on my former blogging days and I

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-7754647744029220772008-10-25T10:11:00.002-05:002009-08-17T14:34:00.731-05:00

When Mama is out with friends for an evening and I am the lone parent at home with very little children, there is a general expectancy for everything to go swimmingly based on a number of good experiences over these last five years. But it has recently been demonstrated that it is not impossible for things to occasionally go haywire for Daddy in these scenarios.Thursday night was going well early

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-6084621948048324672008-10-24T19:05:00.001-05:002008-10-24T19:07:55.246-05:00

Gas down to $2.05 per gallon and milk down to $3.43 per gallon...what's the world coming to?

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-25282746491234869992008-10-21T17:36:00.004-05:002008-10-22T19:46:09.705-05:00

1. If you live in LA, San Fransisco, Boston, New York, or anywhere within a reasonable distance of these cities to venture there for a night out, please call immediately and book your tickets to see Ludovico Einaudi live!!!!!!!!!! He does NOT do frequent tours in the US so don't hold out 'til next time, go now! http://www.ludovicoeinaudi.com/ For those of you among my readership who live in Italy

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-65050306453283204462008-10-14T22:42:00.002-05:002009-08-30T12:05:55.770-05:00

Loose. Bound. Unencumbered. Shackled. Freedom. Slavery. As you likely consider yourself to be a free person, are there any understandings of the notion of freedom by which you may be considered a slave? Are you completely free? I submit to you that surely, while you may experience freedoms in a variety of ways, you are actually bound…which is to say that you are “in bondage,” partly by choice and

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-1274261732272025642008-09-26T12:53:00.002-05:002008-09-26T12:57:33.475-05:00

I am very, very extremely happy and thrilled to report that some extraordinarily kind anonymous benefactor fixed the worst part of our road for us yesterday. It is so much better, it really is amazing what a bit of grading does for that road. It may have been the local government road crew, but technically they are not responsible for my road. They started right where you leave the pavement and

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-92173398421403770352008-09-24T17:06:00.002-05:002008-09-24T17:26:58.849-05:00

A young pastor of a very small church was recently involved in a funeral for a family member of one of his parishioners, and on his website, he declared for the general public regarding the deceased man that..."there was no clear profession of faith in Christ." I really don't know whether to be sad for this pastor or mad at him. He certainly wouldn't care one way or the other, I assure you. I

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-49129287686118370972008-09-15T08:54:00.002-05:002009-08-17T14:34:00.731-05:00

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-31089237685123431932008-09-09T10:54:00.002-05:002009-08-17T14:34:00.731-05:00

Boyd Leslie Terrell has arrived!! Born today at 11:57am...weight: 8 lbs 7 oz, length: 19.5 inchesPictures soon!

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-71525510277469499092008-08-28T16:06:00.003-05:002009-08-17T14:43:15.665-05:00

As someone who thinks that being a writer would be a dream job (underlying assumption being that this dream involves a society which has no dependence upon reasonable income), I greatly appreciate the writing skills of P.G. Wodehouse, as I have mentioned several times before. In turn, I appreciate other writers who appreciate P.G. Wodehouse, to the point that I would strip the title of "writer"

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-71461189023823505682008-08-26T18:05:00.002-05:002009-08-30T12:06:50.266-05:00

I said this today to a very close friend and I thought you all might get a kick out of it:"I think that the temptation with any shift of thought is to characterize your new position as being better than any prior position held, and then to reflect on all prior experiences as having some way or other contributed to this ultimately positive “progression”. I seem to have thought that way at least

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-17078978901856238572008-08-17T13:33:00.003-05:002008-08-17T14:19:49.519-05:00

I'm alive and well, thanks for stopping by the ole blog here. Within a few months, I'll hit the 5-year anniversary mark for my presence here at this particular blog address. The archives from day one through today tell an interesting story, though I've carefully ensured that they don't tell the whole story.I'd say that a full 90% of my writing here has been religious in nature, and of course,

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-23966234394179987402008-08-09T20:43:00.004-05:002008-08-09T21:17:28.694-05:00

We experienced a "first" this afternoon....we saw a metallic blue wasp on the hood of our truck.So after a bit of googling, we determined that we were not witnesses to the existence of a never-before-seen-or-heard-of species of wasp...on the contrary, apparently these are relatively common. I can't believe I've never seen one until today.I tried to take a couple of pictures before he flew away,

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-10769213302900500622008-08-02T20:23:00.001-05:002009-08-17T14:43:58.525-05:00

I have been doing a bit of reading lately. When I say “a bit” in this case, I intend a falsely humble understatement. You see, I like to boast when I’ve done a substantial amount of reading, because frankly, I once had a very predictable habit of abandoning substantial reading endeavors and I like to think now that I may have conquered that tendency.Recently, my wife was put onto The Count of

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-73036742834946245862008-08-01T18:08:00.000-05:002009-08-17T14:34:00.732-05:00

It has been another while since I posted here, but my stat keeper indicates that you are still hanging around, so I thought I should at least make time for an update of sorts.Richmond is walking now, and with increasing confidence I might add. We seem to have a good handle on his severe food allergies. He certainly eats well and we haven’t had any significant reactions lately. He is still very

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-72099697169488025242008-08-01T16:34:00.003-05:002009-08-17T14:34:00.732-05:00

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-24216383345295727282008-06-30T14:46:00.002-05:002008-06-30T14:50:38.936-05:00

After picking up my pulled pork plate at Whole Hog Cafe today in Jonesboro, I turn to the silverware tray and wait as another man grabs a fork less than two feet away from me. That man was former LSU Tigers head basketball coach and new coach of the Arkansas State University Red Wolves, John Brady.Ah, brushes with greatness.

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-46104992272549604332008-06-28T20:24:00.004-05:002009-08-17T14:34:00.732-05:00

The girls love being little brother's teachers.Independent little brother sits on his sisters' bed to read for himself.

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-1378377084860985502008-06-24T13:27:00.002-05:002008-06-24T13:46:29.006-05:00

My cousin (who may follow this blog, I have no idea) used to say to me, "People's people," as in people is people, or people are people. (Wow, the more I type that out, the more it looks like a funny word. I even second-guessed my spelling.)His point was usually in the context of someone doing something that did not seem right, and so the very succinct sentence suggested that all people

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-42224065289374624862008-06-24T13:22:00.002-05:002008-06-24T13:27:40.418-05:00

Fox News has an interesting article posted to its site today, reporting on a 2007 survey by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life. Apparently, quite a few folks who claim to be evangelicals also claim that many religions can lead to eternal life.Here's the link:Americans: My Faith Isn't The Only Way To Heaven

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-36974996821456922472008-06-24T13:15:00.004-05:002008-06-24T13:21:07.802-05:00

I've been encouraged by the increase in site traffic recently with my slow-but-sure return to blogging. You will find at least in the short-term that there is not a great deal of any specific topic being explored in my writing here. For now, this will be a general interest blog.Here are a couple of updated pics of my children:

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6240761.post-24531358075713942822008-06-14T17:46:00.002-05:002008-06-14T17:50:58.336-05:00

Credit Card Theft Investigation UpdateI met with the primary detective handling my case to provide more documentation relating to the times and places of the thief's transactions on my card. While in his office, he did some research using the name and description I provided and he actually found this girl in his criminal data system....picture, alias names, social security numbers and addresses

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0