First Morning of a New Year…

First morning

of a new year.

Walking the dog

at 5 a.m.

Catching snowflakes

In my headlamp beam.

A Poem for the New Year: Act. Don’t Wait.

Act. Don’t Wait.

Life

Live now.

For a limited time.

There’s no future

In waiting.

Stop reading

This poem.

Go out into

The nearest

Field of flowers.

Dance.

Breathe.

Sing.

Howl.

It will be over

Soon enough.

(Too soon.)

So squeeze as

Much juice

As possible

From this big,

Bright orange

Of a day.

Act.

Don’t wait.

4/9/2011

Chasing the Bear

Photo by Pete Nuij on Unsplash

During my late teens and early twenties, I found myself working odd jobs for my older brother. I wasn’t much help—more of a half-useless knucklehead than anything else—but I think my brother enjoyed having me around. It was our way of spending time together.

My brother has always been an early riser. Before the birds. Before the worms. Most times before the sun. No matter what the day held, he’d wake me up before 5 a.m., always with the same words:

“Time to get the bear, Mikey.”

Though it’s been years since I last worked with my brother, those five words have stayed with me. They’ve become a mantra, especially when I need to push through a tough project, face a challenging day, or simply get out of a rut.

I keep those words written on a small blue sticky note on my office wall. On days when I struggle to gain traction, I glance at that note and hear my brother’s voice:

“Time to get the bear.”

It wasn’t until later that I realized my brother’s command was his take on the old saying, “Some days you get the bear. Some days the bear gets you.” But for him, there was never a choice. You rise before the bear. You outwork the bear. You get the bear. In his world, the bear doesn’t stand a chance.

I’ll admit, there are days when I don’t get the bear. But I never let the bear get me. When I fall short, I come back the next day more determined. That’s a lesson I owe to my brother’s example.

So, let’s go out today and get that bear.

Listen to that Little Voice

How often is that “little voice” inside our head right? How often do we listen to it? Your instinct has been honed by knowledge, experience, and judgment. Trust it.

Postscript: Walking down the street in Madison, Wisconsin, on my way to the CASE Summer Institutes to talk about Generative AI, I passed a man wearing a shirt that said, “Pardon me a moment while I question my decision." Wish I'd been brave enough to ask if I could have photographed his shirt!

Sunflower Peace

Sunflowers represent hope optimism, and peace. I photographed these sunflowers in a field near Richmond, Illinois. I edited the photo to give it a painted effect using Prisma and I added the word "peace." My goal is to create visual, fun reminders that every day, in any small way, I need to strive for peace from the inside out. As Thich Nhat Hanh wrote, “Peace is every step.”

• Sunflower Peace Shirt

• Peace is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hanh (affiliate link)

Sunday Morning, My "Three Feet or So"

This morning I brewed seven jars of tea - peach, black, and turmeric ginger. Then I sliced radishes to roast later on the grill. I’m concentrating on my “three feet or so,” as Carrie Newcomer sings it.

Carrie Newcomer, “Three Feet or So” lyrics.

Experiencing the Art Journey

I’m fortunate to not only experience my life’s journey but also to have a front-row seat to experience Susan’s aka Wired Lotus’ journey. Tomorrow is her first art show. If you’re in the neighborhood, stop by and check out the amazing artists, one of whom I happen to be related to by marriage. #rakowcenter #eastdundee

Monday Motivation

No cookie. But here’s my fortune or wish for us all this seem. New day. New week. Let’s go.

Happy Marketing Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine’s Day, hearts, flowers, and chocolates to my marketing and communications colleagues, peers, and friends. Cheers for all the great work you do every day. View all the marketing hearts.

Write a Poem Inspired by the Change of Seasons

Over the next 30 days, I’ll be sharing a poetry writing prompt a day and trying to follow the prompts myself.

Prompt one: Write a poem inspired by the change of seasons. Share your poems in the comments, if you’d like. And check back later for my poem. Whether you use the prompt or not, remember to keep writing!

My First Book of 2024: Freight Train By Donald Crews - Book Review

Freight Train by Donald Crews is one of my favorite books of all time and my first read of 2024. Freight Train was named one of 1979's Caldecott Honor books. It has been included in Anita Silvey's 100 Best Books for Children and the 2012 "Top Children's Picture Books" list by School Library Journal. And it's on my list of favorite reads and rereads ever. Purchase “Freight Train” at Bookshop.org. (affiliate link)

Sideswiped by Extinction

AI is changing industries and creating new jobs while ending old ones. We’re learning and adapting, and this will continue. It’s a tectonic change, like the creation of fire, the printing press, and the internet. Yet, even while new opportunities are created, some companies will refuse to adapt, risking extinction for the sake of short-term comfort. It reminds me of that time a few decades ago when I lost a job powered by new technology to an industry trying desperately to cling to the status quo. 

I was an early desktop publishing adopter, at least in my local market. I learned Mac OS in the late 1980s and became proficient with early versions of PageMaker and Quark Express. This opened up opportunities not only in my day job but also as a freelancer. I was young, not yet married, and was completing assignments for dozens of clients virtually around the clock – from restaurant menus to physician practice brochures, auto shop print ads, and foundation newsletters. It was lucrative and a lot of fun. These clients also needed words for their layouts, so I was able to provide them with copywriting services. A double win for me. 

One of my best freelance clients was a small ad agency. For more than a year, I finished projects for a variety of the firm’s B2B and B2C accounts. This gig paid better than many of the smaller businesses I worked with. I also liked the owner and the team of designers and account reps. 

This relationship lasted for almost a year. One day, the owner took me to lunch and told me he was tired of paying me as a freelancer. He wanted to hire me full-time. The salary he offered was significantly more than I was currently making at my hospital-based marketing job. I said yes. We shook hands. And my career and my life took a dramatic change, though it wasn’t the change I’d expected. 

For a few weeks, everything worked out just fine. I was part of a talented team doing interesting work and even helped with a few successful new business pitches. I felt like I was a part of something that would grow. I even enjoyed the Friday ritual when the owner would arrive in the office just before lunchtime to hand that week’s check to each employee. 

Then one Friday, he didn’t show up. We waited until the end of the work day before trying to call him. He couldn’t be reached. As I recall, it was almost a week before we saw him again, still with no checks in hand. Soon the company closed and I was out of a job. 

Why did this small, but growing business, fail with both ample work and a growing client base? It turns out that the owner was using proceeds from our company to fund another of his businesses – a typesetting firm. Ask ChatGPT when the typesetting industry began to fail and it will tell you the decline began in the mid-20th Century and accelerated in the 1980s and 1990s with the advent of desktop publishing. Indirectly, I was a victim of my success. 

As AI adoption accelerates, I think about those companies that try to hold on to legacy services and practices at their peril. It’s happening as I write this at a faster rate and higher level. I’m also confident there will be people and companies applying new AI tools to create miserable outputs and outcomes just like a lot of the bad desktop publishing that came out of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Those who succeed will continue to learn how to apply the tools with a fanatical focus on the audience and its needs at the center of their efforts. 

A Wish for Your Week (and Mine, Too)

Wishing you a safe, productive, and fulfilling week.

When our son lived at home, I would write weekly (sometimes daily) notes to him. This post is inspired by one from about 10 years ago that I recently found. Strikes me as good advice as we start a new week. Wishing you a safe, productive, and fulfilling week.

Slow Horses, The Moment with Rick Rubin, and Money on Jane - Today's Tea and Three

Tea and Three with Mike B.  - December 8, 2023

What I’m paying attention to today while the tea’s brewing.

Watching Slow Horses on Apple TV. I’ve read and reread all of Mick Herron’s Slough House/Slow Horses books and enjoyed the first two seasons the Apple TV adaptation. After three episodes, I’m ready to declare season three, based on the novel Real Tigers,  the best yet. What I love about the series is that it starts with the framework of the novels, but adapts the plot, situations, and characters to better fit TV storytelling conventions. So far, season three is unspooling at high-tension, break-neck speed. Like the books, the series is addictive. I immediately want more after finishing each episode. Thankfully, production for season 4 is already underway. 

Listening to Brian Koppelman’s spirited interview with Rick Rubin on The Moment. What starts as a discussion of creativity, music, and the best rock and roll drummers  (AC DC’s Phil Rudd gets a lot of love) shifts, perhaps playfully, to the nature of what is real. While I’m willing to go down many rabbit holes with Rubin, I’m more likely to accept Rudd as the world’s greatest drummer than I am to believe the earth is flat. Rubin’s Book The Creative Act: A Way of Being was one of my 2023 favorites. 

Anticipating new music from Money On Jane. Information is scant, and believe me, I’ve searched, but Money on Jane appears to be a secret project coming (hopefully) soon from musicians Angelo Petraglia and Eulene Sherman. Coming out of Nashville and name-checking references like Dylan, the Velvet Underground, and “Brian Jones-era Rolling Stones” may sound like a bold promise. The brief samples that can be heard on the band’s Instagram page indicate Money on Jane may be ready to back it up.  

This post may include affiliate links. Written by humans for humans. 

Chip Taylor, The Iliad, and Happy Birthday Jon B. - Today's Tea and Three

Tea and Three with Mike B.  - December 7, 2023

Here’s what I’m enjoying today with my cup of tea:

Remembering a night at the Saxon Pub. Listening to Chip Taylor’s new song, “The Other Side of the Moon,” brought back memories of the Hill Country Live’s March 16, 2012, SXSW Showcase at the Saxon Pub in Austin, Texas, with my friend Kevin. The dream lineup included Chip Taylor, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Roger Alan Wade, Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real, Shooter Jennings, and Billy Joe Shaver. A great evening of music. And if you’re looking for an achingly beautiful, sentimental song, listen to “The Other Side of the Moon.”

Listening to “3,000 Years of the Iliad.” Emily Wilson discusses her translation of The Iliad with guest host Constance Grady on The Gray Area (Vox). Wilson’s translation of The Iliad is one of my favorite books of the year and one I’ll return to often in the future. 

Celebrating the birthday of the amazing Jonathan Barzacchini. You may know him as Jon B. One of my favorite people, one of my three favorite storytellers, and oh yeah, my son. Happy birthday, Jonathan. 

This post may include affiliate links. Written by humans for humans. 

Walk On, Dino

Noble, sweet, and handsome Dino.

We said “goodbye” to Dino last week. Our sweet, handsome, noble boy was just 10 years old. A fast-moving cancer claimed him. I’ll have a Dino-sized hole in my heart for some time, but I will fill it with his memories and all the love and joy he brought to our home. 

We adopted Dino from a rescue in Winfield, Illinois, in 2015. He’d been on the run in rural Indiana when the rescue found him. A part of our family since, he endured dozens of foster dogs, the loss of one dear packmate, Daisy,  and three new packmates Lucy, Roy, and LuLu (rest in peace), with kindness and grace. Though sometimes, I swear I could hear him thinking, “Hey guys, what’s with all the dogs?”.  

He was our walking buddy. On walks around our neighborhood, Dino was always on guard. But get him into the village and Dino chilled. He loved to go to our Depot Market, kind of a combination flea and farmers market. And people at the market loved Dino. I joked with Susan that I often benefited from the “Dino Discount” at the market. People were so charmed with him that they’d almost give their goods away. 

Dino did have his triggers. Deer and squirrels, of course, But cats and workers wearing reflective yellow, orange, or green vests set him off. I always wondered what it was about reflective clothing that triggered him. Now, I’ll never know. 

This cancer seemed to us like it moved fast. But likely, it had been progressing for some time. In September, we noticed a limp and began treating him for arthritis or a leg strain. Weeks later a choking incident led to the discovery of his cancer. At the exam, the veterinarian at the animal hospital ordered X-rays to make sure he didn’t have anything lodged in his throat or stomach. The X-ray revealed that his lungs were filled with either an infection or cancer. I’ve never rooted harder for an infection. It took a few days for the test results to come in, ruling out infection, and confirming cancer. Our veterinarian said that with the state of his lungs, we likely had days or weeks with Dino. Turned out it was days.

Dino on his last morning.

It’s almost like once Dino knew we knew the diagnosis, he went downhill quickly. His back legs weakened. He couldn’t walk even around the block. He was restless, had trouble breathing, and seemed to be in constant discomfort and pain. We scheduled an appointment with our vet. It was time.

On his last morning with us, I took Dino out on our deck so we could enjoy the autumn air together. Every time we go on the deck, Dino wants to go into our gazebo. Usually, I’m doing something on the deck, so I’d say, “No, Dino, not today.”

On this morning, he again went toward the gazebo door and this time, we went in. I brought along Jim Harrison’s Complete Poems and thought I’d read a few to him. Harrison loved dogs and many of his poems included references to them. His poems have also brought me comfort in difficult times. 

I opened the massive volume to a random page and began to read. The verse I turned to was this stanza from “Sonoran Radio”: 

The cow dog licks her cancerous

and bloated teats.

Otherwise, she’s the happiest

dog I know, always smiling,

always trying to help out. 

I couldn’t get through the stanza without sobbing. That was Dino. Always happy. Always gentle. I read a few more poems. Did some more crying. And mostly just stayed there soaking up his presence this one last time.

Along with walks and naps, one of Dino’s favorite pastimes was standing guard at the tall windows in our kitchen, alerting us to passing deer. During his final days, he’d silently watch the deer. Too tired and in too much pain to stand or bark. That last morning, beside him in the gazebo, I wrote these lines:

Now that you’re gone

I will stand by the window

And bark at the deer

In your honor

That’s just one way I’ll remember Dino. Though I’ll miss him on my walks around the neighborhood, I’ll also keep his memory close in my heart and with every step. My life is better for knowing this sweet, gentle, noble, and handsome boy. I’ll try to continue to live up to his example.

Walk on, Dino, walk on.

More Dino Stories:

• Happy Adoption Day, Dino

• Remembering Dino, Our Runaround Dog

Dino, Our Runaround Dog

Dino, our sweet, handsome runaround dog. Rest in joy, my friend.

We said “goodbye” to our sweet, handsome, noble Dino this week. I’ll have more to write later about his passing. For now, I wanted to share this happy adventure from the summer of 2015

When Dino joined our pack, he had a habit of bolting. After a few months, it seemed we were making progress. But he’s still giving me gray hair. Here’s just one of the adventures of our runaround dog.

I’ve craved an early morning, long walk with Dino for weeks. He needs the extra activity and I need the exercise. The weather or schedules or sleeping in has undone my plans these past few weeks. Not today though.

I woke early and slipped the dogs out of the bedroom without disturbing Susan. My plan was to feed both, take Daisy out for a quick pee, and then go on a long jaunt with Dino. 

My plans were undone by Daisy’s mournful gaze. “Take me too, Dad,” she seemed to say. I can’t resist those big eyes. 

So, I packed water for myself and the air can to curb Dino’s barking. I hooked up both dogs and we started down Roslyn.

My plan was to take a left on Summit, but the deer were up early (the early deer get the acorn?) and one of them was staring me down. What we’ve heard from friends and neighbors is that you have to beware of the staring deer. It’s usually a buck and they will often charge. So we three trotted past the deer, on down Roslyn. All seemed well.

We headed up Van Buren, toward downtown and Dino decided it was time for him to poop. Picture this, I’m leaning over to pick up his poop. To do so, I transfer the end of Daisy’s leash -- the big, bulky retractable reel -- to the same hand in which I’m holding Dino’s leash. I fish a plastic bag from my pocket and bend over. Just for an instant my grip on Dino’s leash loosens, he pulls, he bolts, the leash slips from my grasp, and he’s gone. 

Down Van Buren, right on Barrington Avenue, left at the Depot, and through the Depot park in the center of town. Daisy and I are giving chase as best we can. I know I can’t keep up, but I’m trying to keep him in my line of sight.

And I swear at least twice, he looked back at me as if to ask, “Hey Dad, are you coming?”

By the time he reached the corner of River and Jackson Street, I was gassed. Daisy and I jog, barely, to the spot where he turned right on Jackson toward the Fox River. Keep in mind, it’s just past 6 a.m. on a Sunday. There’s no one around except for me, Daisy, and runaway Dino. Then a gray pickup pulls to a stop at Jackson coming from the way Dino ran. 

I start to ask the driver if he’s seen a dog. Before I could, he rolled down his window and said, “Hey, are you looking for a big black poodle?”

“Yes,” I said.

“Well, he’s down the street in a parking lot and it looks like he’s waiting on someone.”

I thank him and head down the street. Before I can take two steps, here comes Dino up the street toward me looking way too pleased with himself.

Now, I’ve seen this trick before. He’s gotten off leash and ran back toward both Susan and me only to bolt past us and continue the merry chase. 

I braced myself to try to tackle him, but this time was different. He stopped just in front of me, sat down, and let me take his leash. I alternately praised and cursed him, but was so grateful that he returned. 

The three of us headed back to the picnic tables near the Depot so I could get a drink of water and get my pulse back somewhere near normal.

Since then, Dino has settled (somewhat) and we have had no runaway or run-around incidents. And I’m thankful that this time he at least met me halfway. 

Stay safe, stay well, and keep a tight grip on the leash. I know I will. And Dino, I miss you, buddy. Long may you run.

Ghosts by Ed McBain

Something a little different: My quick review of Ed McBain's (aka Evan Hunter) 87th Precinct novel Ghosts. This is 34 of 55 in the series. It’s a fun mix of police procedural, crime thriller, mystery, and ghost story with a little flirty romance tossed in for good measure. First published in 1980, the novel now has a great period feel (got change for the payphone?)

What's your favorite 87th Precinct novel? Get your copy of Ghosts on :

• Bookshop

• Amazon

• Amazon Audiobook

  (paid links)

Saturday Morning Discoveries

Yes, Saturday mornings are for errands and chores. But Saturday mornings are also for discoveries. Here are a few from my adventures with Susan on a recent Saturday in October.

Discovery one: I’m going to miss the rummage sale at the First Congregational Church in Huntley, Illinois. The church holds its sales on the first Saturday of the month, May through October. The finds are eclectic. The prices are low. Fifty percent off everything for this last sale of the season (except DVDs, which were $1). It was almost like they were paying me to take stuff. See you in May. 

Discovery two: Huntley needs more ATMs. When we visit the Huntley Farmers’ Market, my routine is to stop by Best Price Tobacco and Gifts to get cash from the ATM there. This day, the machine was either out of cash or off the internet. Either way, I exited empty. Since most of the vendors at the market are on a cash-only basis, I stopped at the post office for stamps and quizzed the woman at the counter about alternative ATM locations in town. Turns out, she’s had the same issue. A man behind me in line overheard our conversation and suggested I try the American Legion post. “They have slot machines,” he said. “And where there are slots, there’s an ATM.” The good news is that the American Legion was right next door. The bad news, the doors were locked tight. Evidently, the market for early Saturday morning slot players in Huntley is as sparse as ATMs. I finally surrendered and drove a mile to use a local bank’s ATM. If you’re looking for a get-useful-quick scheme, you may consider going into the downtown Huntley ATM business. If you do, please text me the location. 

Discovery three: I’m addicted to the black walnut cookies baked by Mike from Sleep Hollow Fresh. We first met Mike at the East Dundee Depot Market. He’s since moved on to the Huntley market. More business even if East Dundee outranks Huntley 5 to 1 in ATMs. This year, Mike began selling black walnut cookies made from his grandma’s recipe. Outside of Susan’s chocolate chip cookies and just about anything from Wild Willow Cookie Company (more on them later), these are my favorite cookies. And all my life I believed I didn’t like walnuts. I bought three packages, one for me, and two to freeze to take my father-in-law when we visit Ohio later this month. Mike speculated that only one package would make it to Ohio. We’ll see. 

Discovery four: Kerosene provides a fun Saturday morning live music experience. I love local live music at a farmer’s market. On this morning Rachel, Danny, and Bill, aka Kerosene, were in the town square playing catchy country rock. Check out Kerosene. 

I can’t wait to wear this shirt by DBMDesigns by Denise.

Discovery five: DBMDesigns by Denise shares a message I can get behind. In fact, I bought one of her “Think Right. Do Right. Feel Right” shirts. Peace, love, kindness, working together to make even a corner of our world better. Those are the messages Denise features on her products. If you’ve ever visited my Mike’s Moons Shop or read my posts here, you know I agree. Denise recently closed her Etsy store due to a lack of sales, but she says the farmers’ markets have been good for her business. 

The Irie Cup’s Mango Mist brews a tasty cup of iced tea.

Discovery six: I love The Irie Cup’s new shop in Huntley. I first tried Irie Cup’s teas at the Dundee Depot Market. They then became regulars at the Huntley market. Earlier this year, they also opened their shop near the Huntley town square. Today was my first trip to the shop. It featured free samples of seasonal tea and a large selection of teas and accessories. The shop also has inside seating, great music on the sound system, and a relaxed vibe that’s perfect for shopping and sipping their teas. The Irie Cup’s shop would be one of my regular hangouts if it was located in my town. I’ll return whenever I visit Huntley. 

Will I decorate or demolish this great pumpkin?

Discovery seven: I will enter the Dundee Depot Market pumpkin decorating contest on October 28. You may ask yourself, “Mike, how is this a Saturday morning discovery?” I’ve decorated maybe a half-dozen pumpkins in my life. And that’s using a broad definition of the word “decorate.” Usually, my decorations turn into disasters. Perhaps possessed by the spirit of the Great Pumpkin, I’ve decided to enter this year’s contest. Lucky for me, I discovered Pete’s pumpkins at the Huntley farmer’s market. I had my eye on a nice medium-sized pumpkin. Susan nudged me to one of the larger ones. I have to admit, the one she chose is a beauty. I’m planning on going at it with stencils and spray paint. I did confirm with the contest organizers that every entry qualifies for at least one prize. So, I have that going for me. Stay tuned to see if my pumpkin becomes decorated or demolished. 

The addictively delicious OG from Wild Willow Cookie Company.

Discovery eight: After choosing our pumpkin, we left the Huntley market and headed to the East Dundee Depot Market. Our first stop at the Depot Market was Wild Willow Cookie Company’s booth. I can’t claim this as a new discovery. We’ve been enjoying Wild Willow’s amazing cookies for years. The discovery for me was how much I missed them. See, Wild Willow used to set up at almost every Depot Market. Now, they make about one a month. Intentionally or unintentionally, Wild Willow is learning about the power of scarcity. We purchased five of Wild Willow’s gluten-free delights, including two OGs, a favorite in our household. Yes, that’s on top of Mike’s black walnut cookies. Are you sensing a cookie theme to my discoveries? Lucky for me, Wild Willow also sets up at many local festivals and events and you can order their one-of-a-kind cookies online.

Discovery nine: Organic golden delicious apples at the Depot Market. When you buy a pound, you get a free apple! This was an unadvertised special. And they were golden and delicious. Maybe the apples balance out all that cookie action. 

Discovery postscript: Three fun finds at Saturday’s Depot Market:

• Typewriter ribbon. This will help my quest to become more analog. 

• A travel Spirograph. 

• Ten dice in an unopened package. Perhaps a stocking stuffer for someone in our family and friends' Yahtzee league.

Those are most of my recent Saturday discoveries. This doesn’t count all the wonderful people and dogs we met along the way, the conversations, and the smiles. I’m grateful for this community of creatives, growers, chefs, entrepreneurs, and just good people who enrich my life on a Saturday morning. Most of all, I’m grateful for my partner in discovery, Susan, aka Wired Lotus. After all, there’s a reason we refer to days like these as Susan Saturdays in our home. 

Amazon Adventures with Jon B.

This is my son Jonathan or as much of the YouTube fishing world knows him, Jon B. I taught him everything I know, which took about a week and a half. He’s continued to learn, grow, and become an inspiring angler and storyteller, in fact, as I’ve shared in presentations and workshops, he’s one of my three favorite storytellers. Here are the first three videos from his new Amazon (the rainforest, not the store) series.