Thoughts on 2019’s arrival: It’s time to write another book

We are barely removed from the end of 2018,

which is a good thing because it was a very challenging year.

The world lost a lot of dear and talented people: 

Stephen Hawking, Tom Wolfe and Penny Marshall come to my mind.

And, there were lesser known but just as important ones we 

lost such as Irena Szewinska, 72, a sprinter and long jumper from 

Poland, who won seven medals in five Olympic Games, tying an 

Olympic women’s record and becoming a national hero in her country. 


For the entire year, the U.S. dealt with a President named Trump.

And, we know how well this has turned out for our country.

However, with the arrival of 2019, the first blank page of a 365-page,

year-long book that each of us will author began to be filled.

All of us start the New Year with a clean slate.

Hopefully, each of us will take the time to write a thoughtful book, 

be it a memoir or a best-selling novel,

day by day, page by page.

 With 2019 coming into clearer view, we welcome its challenges.

Remember, the words of Ecclesiastes, who said:

"The race is not to the swift,

nor the battle to the strong."

Life is to be enjoyed day by day,

 one day at a time.

Take time for family,

read a good book, 

listen to good music,

master a hobby like photography,

talk to good friends – and listen to them, too.

Support the arts, support newspapers.

Vote your conscience, but do vote!

Here's wishing you and your loved ones a Happy New Year.

May each of you enjoy cheers, love and peace on earth

in the New Year ahead.

Happy New Year 2015 -- Every day we write the book

Our backyard garden was filled with many lovely roses last year,
none more beautiful than this rainbow-colored one.
This is one of my favorite photographs I took in 2014.

We are almost a week into 2015.

Tomorrow is the seventh blank page of a 365-page,

year-long book that each of us will author.

All of us began the New Year last Thursday with a clean slate, 

which is a good thing.

Hopefully, each of us will take the time to write a thoughtful book, 

be it a memoir or a best-selling novel,

day by day, page by page.

As we look back on 2014, we bid it a fond farewell. 

No regrets.

 With 2015 coming into clear view, we welcome its challenges.

Remember, the words of Ecclesiastes, who said:

"The race is not to the swift,

nor the battle to the strong."

Life is to be enjoyed day by day,

 one day at a time.

Take time for reading, listen to good music,

master a hobby,

talk to good friends -- and listen to them, too.

Here's wishing you and your loved ones a Happy New Year.

May each of you enjoy cheers, love and peace on Earth

in the New Year ahead.

Photograph by Michael Dickens © 2014.

Happy New Year: A look back, a glance forward

The sun sets over the San Francisco Bay Area in this
February 2013 photograph I took from Memorial Stadium
on the UC Berkeley campus.

Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365-page,

year-long book that each of us will author.

All of us start with a clean slate.

So, let's each take the time to write a good one, page by page.

In the meantime, here's a last salute to 2013,

 and a welcome glance towards 2014.

Remember, in the words of Ecclesiastes:

"The race is not to the swift,

nor the battle to the strong."

Life is to be enjoyed day by day, one at a time.

Here's wishing you and your loved ones a Happy New Year.

May each of you enjoy cheers, love and peace on earth

in the New Year ahead.