A Year of Living Stoically - December 31, 2025
Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 81
Be prepared for failure. Do everything you can to ensure success in your endeavors, But in the final analysis, success or failure can be in the hands of others, not yours. Have a plan if failure is your reward. That plan should be focused on how you can more closely focus on the goal with Gods guidance. Recognize that failure is often part of a higher power or plan that is sending you a message telling you that you didn’t have it all figured out.
A Year of Living Stoically - January 1, 2026
Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 82
Welcome to 2026
Everything does not happen as we would like. Stop trying to change what has happened, or wish something different had happened, simply say to yourself what happened was what was meant to be. You cannot change the past, all you can do is change how you look at it. Doing so will allow your life to flow much more smoothly.
Journal Entry - January 1, 2026
Zohran Mamdani
I just listened to the most amazing inauguration speech I think I have ever heard. Mayor Zohran Mamdani delivered an eloquent and inspirational address to the people of New York. He seemed to be speaking unprompted off the top of his head, but it was beautifully composed and delivered. Only 34 years old, he exhibits the wisdom of a much older man. The brilliant part of his speech was the leadership he promised he would deliver. I can’t wait to see what he can do for the people of New York. He may just be the future of politics in America, a refreshing departure from the cynicism we have been enduring of late.
Mindfulness - January 1, 2026
Conversation
“If you are in a conversation with yourself you can be in conversation with the world.” —Suleika Jaouad
Always be asking yourself questions. Always be seeking new answers from within. If you can do this honestly and with intent, you will form the capacity to listen and ask questions of those around you. You will have the ability to listen and ask questions in a way that brings you closer to others and at the same time closer to yourself.
Mindfulness - January 1, 2026
Do You Believe in God?
Do you believe in God? It doesn’t matter.
At times I’m not sure that I do, yet I believe that God resides in everything. It is our job to learn to recognize that reality and appreciate that truth. Appreciation is not about religion or any form of worship, it is simply about recognition and what you hold in your heart every moment. If you can appreciate God in all that you see, you will be incapable of harming your fellow man, your fellow beast, or your planet. If you can stand on this ground and look out at all that is around you and see God in it, you will see with clarity what is right and what is opposed to that which is right.
Here is a Baul song which provides a beautiful example of what it means to see God in everything. The Bauls are the roaming minstrels of India, they do not practice their belief in temples, they practice it on the street, in song.
My soul cries out,
Caught in the snare of beauty,
Of the formless one.
As I cry by myself,
Night and day,
Beauty amassed before my eyes,
Surpasses moons and suns.
If I look at the clouds in the sky,
I see his beauty afloat.
And I see him walk on the stars,
Blazing within my heart.
Journal Entry - January 1, 2026
Welcome 2026
For a very long time (since I started this blog) I have avoided letting it devolve into a “personal clearing house” for grievance or a forum for “over-emoting,”
I’ve decided it’s time to modify that perspective — just a bit.
What is the point of publishing a blog if not to allow yourself to be honest with the world, and give the world a chance to better understand who you are.
I’m not talking about bitching or complaining, I’m talking about expressing yourself. That is a notion that does not come easily to me, but I have decided that it is time.
None of us live forever. There comes a time when we naturally should begin facing what the end of our existence looks like. To put it another way, we begin to face not only what we want to take into the next life, but what we would like other people to take away from our existence in this life.
That is something that is up to both of us. My goal is live the best life that I can. I am going to continue to grow and develop as best I can. The rest is up to you. No pressure. If I have offended you or you don’t want anything to do with me, I respect that. Stoic thought has taught me that we all have our own agency, our own reality. That means that I can only be concerned with my actions and not your actions or perceptions.
Where does that leave us?
Quite simply, this blog is shifting ever so slightly. Where I would have said to myself in the past, “I can’t share that,” it’s probable that now I will go ahead and share. Please don’t think I’m in this to change minds, I’m not. I’m responsible for me and you are responsible for you. It’s that simple. I’m taking agency for myself when it comes to sharing my journey on this blog. I’m not going to “emote” unnecessarily, but I am going to allow myself to speak to you from my heart where before I might have said to myself, “that is too personal to put out there.”
Why am I doing this? I am doing this for me. Please keep that in mind if you dip in here and read something that leaves you bewildered or confused, or you simply disagree with. Think of it as my attempt to open up a deeper understanding of myself, and share with you at the same time.
A Year of Living Stoically - January 2, 2026
Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 83
Do not regret what has happened. Recognize that what has happened cannot now be changed. To desire change, to have regret is a waste of energy, a waste of life. Practice gratitude for everything that happens. You cannot see reality without gratitude.
Journal Entry - January 2, 2026
The Written Word
What is the most amazing invention of the human mind? The written word. Without the written word, all knowledge would come down to matters of opinion, matters easily lost in translation, translation literal and translation that becomes altered due to the vagaries of time.
The written word brings beauty into our lives. Think of the great poetry and the effect it can have. The written word brings joy. Think of the great novels that have been written to entertain us. The written word is the basis of all scientific knowledge. Without the written word it is unlikely that science could have become as important to modern life as it has.
I try and read a book every month. Only 38% of Americans read one or more books a year. Conversely, 62% of Americans do not read a single book in the course of a year. These statistics are from two independent studies completed in 2023. Let’s go read a book America. It’s important for our health, and the future of our country.
A Year of Living Stoically - January 3, 2026
Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 84
Prepare as best you can. When the time comes to put your preparation into action, be content with what comes next. The best you can do is acknowledge that the result is in the hands of fate. The ultimate result of any endeavor is never exclusively in our own hands.
Journal Entry - January 3, 2026
Why Write
You have to be crazy to want to write. I have a natural instinct that makes it feel like I have nothing to say. The doubt, that I have nothing to say, presents itself as a daily struggle. The question is, why do it. My answer may not be completely satisfying to any ear but my own, but simply put, I am compelled to do it. If I don’t take the time each day to write, I feel like something is missing from my day. So, in the final analysis, I just do it.
Recipe - Pie Crust in a Stand Mixer
Using a Kitchen Aid stand mixer is the quickest, easiest, and most foolproof way to make pie crust.
Ingredients
- 6 Tablespoons (3 ounces or 85 grams) very cold water
- 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup ice
- 1 cup (2 sticks or 8 ounces or 227 grams) very cold unsalted butter
- 2 ½ cups (11.25 ounces or 319 grams) all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface
- 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
It’s best to use ingredients straight from the refrigerator. Slice the cold butter and freeze it for 5 minutes is recommended. Mix the water, vinegar, and ice mixture and keep it refrigerated while you measure out the dry ingredients.
Combine the flour, sugar, and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the butter all at once and beat on low until the mixture has the texture of a coarse meal for about 3 minutes. Add 6 tablespoons of water from the water-vinegar-ice mixture and beat until the dough clumps around the paddle.
If the dough seems too dry, add more liquid from the ice water mixture 1 teaspoon at a time.
Quickly knead the dough into a rough ball then divide the dough into two even halves, forming them into a flat disc. Wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap and flatten into a small disc. Chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
Recipe - Polly’s Baked Beans (In Cast Iron)
I had to really coax Polly to give me this recipe. This is a recipe that you can make in cast iron (my preferred method) and works well in the campground. It tastes even better in the wild than it does at home. There is an homage here for my Irish friend. I’m sure you won’t have any trouble picking it out. I’ve always had a bit of a beef with the Irish because they keep the good Guinness in the homeland and they send the shitty Guinness to America. I suppose in a lot of ways we deserve that.
Ingredients
These ingredients are for starters, once the beans come up to temperature in the cast iron, you can adjust the ingredients to suit the flavor profile you are shooting for.
- Pinto, Black, White and Kidney beans in the can, rinsed and drained.
- 3 or 4 Kosher Dogs cut in medallions
- 1/2 can of Guinness
- 1/4 C Molasses
- 1/2 C Ketchup
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 1/4 C Brown Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
- Salt
- Pepper
- 1 Yellow Onion cubed and sautéed with 4 cloves of chopped garlic
- Dash of olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked or sweet paprika
- 1/4 C of your favorite BBQ Sauce
Ya, that’s a lot of ingredients, but nothing good comes easily, even in the campground.
Directions
Mix and cook. It doesn’t take a bunch of charcoal, just a few cubes on the lid and a few underneath. If you want to add more protein, Sauté some nice sausage sliced in the diagonal and add to the pot wile simmering.
Journal Entry - January 4, 2026
America Has Become A Crime Family
This is what happens when you put a crime boss in charge of your country.
”Don’t you get it? America’s new foreign policy is basically this: Don’t kill people there (the Middle East) kill them over here (South America), in your own time zone. It’s classic advice: Shit where you eat. That’s the new Trump doctrine. It’s not in any way about stable democracies: it’s about spheres of influence. Russia can have their sphere of influence, China can have theirs, and we get South America. America is no longer the shining city on the hill, it is merely just one of the five crime families, splitting up the territories.”
—Jon Stewart
I wouldn’t take medical advice from Jon Stewart but when it comes to political insight, it’s hard to argue with his analysis.
A Year of Living Stoically - January 4, 2026
Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 85
What happens to each of us stems from our destiny, that is, what was meant to be. Whatever has befallen you, has been prescribed for you. Your job is to look into it and find that which was meant for you to see.
Recipe - Sloppy Joes (in Cast Iron)
This recipe uses similar ingredients to the Baked Beans recipe but it does not use BBQ Sauce or Molasses, the result is surprisingly different. This recipe yields 5 or 6 Joes. Most people if they are hungry are going to want 2 of these babies!
Ingredients
- Butter and Olive Oil for sautéing the Onions and Green Pepper
- 1 lb Ground Beef
- 2 large Italian Sausages, casing removed
- 1 Green Pepper chopped
- Medium Yellow Onion chopped
- 4 cloves of Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Tomato Paste
- 2/3 C Ketchup
- 1/2 Can Guinness
- 1 Tbsp Brown Sugar
- 1 tsp Yellow Mustard
- 3/4 tsp Chili Powder
- 1/2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt
- 1/4 tsp Red Pepper Flakes
- 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
Instructions
- Sauté hamburger and sausage, drain.
- Sauté onions and green pepper using butter and oil, add garlic at the end of the cooking time.
- Light charcoal
- Combine meats in Dutch Oven and add remaining ingredients.
- Cook using 10 coals on top and 5 - 8 coals on the bottom
Cooking time is about 30 minutes, but could be longer to reach desired consistence. If mixture is too moist, add corn meal to thicken.
Serve over toasted Potato Buns.
Recipe - Corn Bread (in Cast Iron)
This is the perfect accompaniment to the Dutch Oven Baked Beans. It is important to use a parchment lined Dutch Oven to prevent the bread from absorbing flavors from the previous oven use.
Ingredients
- 3/4 C corn meal
- 1-1/4 C flour
- 1/4 C sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 C buttermilk
- 1 egg beaten
- 1/4 C vegtable oil
- Honey butter for topping (optional)
Directions
Measure and mix dry ingredients at home to simplify preparation.
- Preheat Dutch Oven to 350. 21 briquettes. 14 on top, 7 underneath.
- Mix all ingredients in preheated, parchment lined Dutch Oven.
- Cook 30 minutes (approximately) rotating the oven and lid 1/4 turn in opposite directions every few minutes.
Poetry - January 5, 2026
Whiskey
“Whiskey has killed more men than bullets, but most men would rather be full of whiskey than bullets.”
—Winston Churchill
“I always carry a flask of whiskey in case of snakebite and furthermore, always carry a small snake.”
—W.C. Fields
“If I cannot drink whiskey and smoke cigars in Heaven then I shall not go.”
—Mark Twain
“Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whiskey is barely enough.”
—Mark Twain
“Happiness is having a rare steak, a bottle of whiskey, and a dog to eat the rare steak.”
—Johnny Carson
“Tell me what brand of whiskey Grant drinks. I would like to send a barrel of it to my other generals.”
—Abraham Lincoln
Poetry - January 5, 2026
The Eternal
I love how the cat
curls himself up between
my love and me.
His gentle purring is pure contentment.
I stroke the top of his head
and he purrs louder.
He is pure bliss.
This is how I feel
when I contemplate the Eternal.
Journal Entry - January 5, 2026
Best Friends
We were best friends in a previous life. Go ahead and laugh, but after you have regained your composure, try and prove me wrong.
Journal Entry - January 6, 2026
Stingray
I never had a Schwinn Stingray bicycle as a kid but I sure do remember them. In fact, I was always a little jealous of the kids that had one. That didn’t stop me from putting playing cards on my bike. I distinctly remember turning my bike into a roaring 4-cylinder monster with four playing cards pinned to the rear wheel. I was very intentional about which cards I used, always Aces, never anything else.
Just for fun I’m going to card-up my Davidson and ride it down to my buddy’s house, knock on his door and tell him let’s go for a ride. I can’t wait to see the expression on his face when we head out! First I need to buy some clothespins…
A Year of Living Stoically - January 6, 2026
Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 87
It doesn’t do any good to publish a stoic thought every day unless you can remember and put into practice the wisdom you humbly attempt to impart…
Very little of this wisdom is mine. I’m simply doing the best I can to put it into words I can understand and remember. The inspiration for these posts is from the book “The Daily Stoic 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and The Art of Living,” by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman.
So why am I doing this instead of just reading the book? It’s about absorption. You can’t make something your own unless you focus on it and put it into your own words. Words that speak to you. I believe when authors put pen to paper they are speaking to themselves, and after all, the words Ryan Holiday is sharing are his interpretation of the words originally written by men like Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, so in a way, what I am doing is no different than what has been done for ages, simply put, trying to understand through exercise of your own mind.
Poetry - January 6, 2026
Rumi’s Little Book of Life
Selected poems translated by Maryam Mafi and Azima Melita Kolin. It was difficult to choose just four from the more than 200 poems in this particular collection. Rumi writes beautifully of peace, love, unity, and respect. It’s wonderful to think that a 13th Century scholar and poet can bring to life knowledge that is still hard to fathom in our modern age, and do it with such beauty and clarity. Perhaps not surprising really, since the knowledge spoken of here is something that has to be earned, not something that can simply be handed to you. The most poignant aspect to Rumi’s writing is his confidence in the power of love to transform human lives. Something desperately needed today.
I love this poem because it gives me strength. We are living through a very tough time. I never expected my generation would have to deal with the fallout from spectacularly poor leadership. Leadership that is reeking havoc around the globe. This poem gives me encouragement.
Separation bends the back of hope
cruelty ties the hands of longing
yet the lover never despairs.
For a committed heart
everything is possible.
This poem grounds me. It helps me see the true priorities of life.
Who would write on a page already filled with writings?
Who would plant a sapling where one is already planted?
One would look for an empty page and virgin soil.
Become bare like the earth so the Beloved
may plant His seed, become a blank page
so His pen may write upon you.
This poem reminds me of the importance of love and its power. It speaks to the power that understanding of the Divine brings to the individual.
He who is not captured by Love
is like a wingless bird.
What understanding can he have of the world
without knowing the Knower?
In love with himself, he is easily lured astray
with no courage to embark on the path.
The Beloved is the guardian of the gate
that only He can open.
Those unable to pass are robbed of their essence.
Dawn may come, but they remain asleep,
while in our sky, the sun never sets nor rises.
A reminder to open your eyes and see beyond your desires.
I stole a glance from You and my eyes
became longing and wistful.
I heard one word from Your lips and
my ears deafened to the world.
But my friend, if you have not had this experience
you are excused to be entangled in this world.
Recipe - Peach UpDown Cake (in Cast Iron)
A great camping desert. For deserts in a Dutch Oven, always line with parchment paper.
Ingredients
- 1/2 C butter
- 1 C brown sugar
- 1 (20 oz) can peach slices (enough to cover bottom of oven)
- 1/2 C vegetable oil
- juice from peach slices plus enough water to make 1-1/4 C
- 1 yellow cake mix
- 1 box cheesecake instant pudding mix
- 4 eggs beaten
Directions
Use 12” Dutch Oven. Melt butter in bottom of dutch oven. Sprinkle brown sugar on top of butter. Place pineapple slices on top of butter brown sugar mixture. Combine remaining ingredients in a bowl and spoon into dutch oven. Cook with 6 coals underneath and 18 coals on top. Place serving plate over dutch oven and invert onto plate.
Recipe - Pumpkin Pie (in Cast Iron)
This isn’t the type of thing you would normally associate with camp cooking, but why not? This is typically made in a 12” Dutch Oven.
Ingredients
Filling
- 1 (29 oz) can pumpkin
- 1 Tbsp pumpkin pie spice
- 3 eggs
- 1 C brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 C evaporated milk
Topping
- 1 package yellow cake mix
- 1 C butter
Directions
- Mix filling ingredients
- Cut butter into cake mix
- Pour filling into parchment lined Dutch Oven
- Sprinkle topping over the filling
- Bake for 1 hour (or more) 8 coals on the bottom, 16 on the top
Serve with Cool Whip, of course.
Recipe - Peanut Butter Swirl Bars (in Cast Iron)
These are finger licking good. A 12” Dutch Oven is recommended for this recipe.
Ingredients
- 3/4 C sugar
- 3/4 C brown sugar
- 1/3 C butter
- 1/2 C peanut butter
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1 C flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 12 oz milk chocolate chips
Directions
- Cream butter and peanut butter with sugars.
- Add eggs and vanilla, beat well
- Mix flour, baking powder, and salt
- Stir into wet mixture
- Spread into 12” Dutch Oven
- Sprinkle chocolate chips on top
- Bake at 350, swirl chips after 5 minutes of baking, bake 20 minutes more
Cool thoroughly before serving. See cast iron baking temperature chart.
Cast Iron Baking Temperature Chart
10” Dutch Oven
| Temperature | Coals Top | Coals Botton |
|---|---|---|
| 325 | 13 | 6 |
| 350 | 14 | 7 |
| 375 | 16 | 7 |
| 400 | 17 | 8 |
| 425 | 18 | 9 |
| 450 | 19 | 10 |
12” Dutch Oven
| Temperature | Coals Top | Coals Bottom |
|---|---|---|
| 325 | 16 | 7 |
| 350 | 17 | 8 |
| 375 | 18 | 9 |
| 400 | 19 | 10 |
| 425 | 21 | 10 |
| 450 | 22 | 11 |
Recipe - Apple Slaw
This is a yummy recipe that you can make in a campground and it tastes terrific. It satisfies the urge for a salad when camping.
Ingredients
Slaw
- 3 C grated cabbage
- 2 C grated apple (Granny Smith or Rainier or 1 of each)
- 1 C grated carrot
- 1 or 2 chopped green onions
Dressing
- 1/3 C mayo
- 1/4 C brown sugar (or slightly less)
- 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- dash of salt and pepper
Directions
- Grate and combine slaw ingredients
- Squeeze out excess moisture with paper towel
- Mix dressing
- Add dressing (not all of it)
Don’t mis all the dressing into the slaw to start with. Reserve the remainder for those that want a bit wetter salad.
Recipe - Red Potatoes (in Cast Iron)
Nothing better than crispy little baked potatoes to go along with your casserole. These guys are sure to please.
Ingredients
- 24 oz bag small red potatoes cut in half
- 1/2 stick butter (or less)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 tsp Lawyer’s Seasoning Salt
Directions
- Melt butter (or slightly less than called for)
- Add spices and herbs
- Coat potatoes with butter, spice, herb mixture
- Put potatoes into preheated Dutch Oven
- Cook at 450 until crispy
If doubling the recipe, it’s better to use two 10” Dutch Ovens than it is to overfill a 12” Dutch Oven.
Recipe - Beef Stroganoff (in Cast Iron)
It’s hard to beat a good beef stroganoff in the wild.
Ingredients
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1/4 tsp celery salt
- 1/4 tsp garlic salt
- 1 C water
- 3 (8 oz) cans tomato sauce
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 C sour cream
- 1 (12 oz) bag egg noodles
- salt and pepper
Directions
- Brown meat, onion and spices in Dutch Oven
- Mix water, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and sour cream
- Combing meat and sauce mixture
- Pour half into Dutch Oven
- Spread noodles evenly on top
- Pour remaining mixture over top, moistening all the noodles
- If additional moisture is needed, add beer
- Cover and cook 30-45 minutes, 10 coals on bottom, 15 coals on top
A Year of Living Stoically - January 7, 2026
Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 88
“When a dog is barking because someone is at the door, the worst thing you can do is yell. To the dog, that’s like your barking too…”
The trick is to break the pattern.
The more time you spend practicing good habits, the less time you will have for bad habits. If you find yourself doing something bad and recognize it, stop, acknowledge it, and look around for something good to do.
Journal Entry - January 7, 2026
Morning Routine
I’ve been refining my morning routine and I have landed on a set of practices that feel good. First of all, I’ll admit it’s nice being retired. You have a lot of time to devote to self-actualization endeavors. I wish I would have landed on these practices thirty years ago, but of course from a stoic perspective, wishing is not a productive use of one’s time. So without further ado, here’s what my mornings look like.
Meditation
This is key to all that follows. I have a writing desk where all of the morning activity takes place. Centered on the desk is a statue of Shiva (which I understand is my personal deity thanks to a birth chart reading I received in India) and two glass candle holders and a lotus flower incense holder. I light the candles and incense. I put on a recording of the “Om Namah Shivaya” Mantra. A simple chant. I play that in a loop while counting the repetitions on my Mala (Indian Rosary) until I have reached 100. (That’s about 20 minutes) Eyes closed, I focus on my fingers and the beads and try to let my mind relax. I relax my breathing as well as the rest of my body as best I can. It takes time. I haven’t perfected this yet but I’m excited about where this will carry me.
Writing
After my meditation I’m ready to start writing. I focus my writing on six areas. I will spend anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes on each area.
- Reactions from my meditation.
- A few words about what occurred yesterday.
- A few words about my intentions for today.
- Some prompted writing.
- A Stoic thought.
- Today’s Journal entry.
To explain in a bit more detail.
- The reactions from my meditation are simply a recording of any thoughts that came to me during or after the meditation. Since I try not to focus on specific thoughts during my meditation, this is generally reactions that come to me afterwards.
- Next I recap yesterday. I do this as a memory booster. If I choose to review my week I have a source to go to.
- The words about today are simply a way to prioritize what is most important to me today.
- The prompted writing is responding to prompts from the “The Book of Alchemy” by Suleika Jaouad. The book contains 100 writing prompts. My daughter gave this to me for Christmas and it’s been great to read a prompt a day and then write about whatever they brings to mind.
- I write a Stoic thought. These are inspired from the book “The Daily Stoic” by Ryan Holiday. Not original on my part, but writing about the material in this book is a great way to absorb classic Stoic advice. It’s also a great way to learn a subject.
- I close my daily writing with a Journal entry. Often these are short, but these can be anything. After I have loosened my writing muscles with the first five tasks, I am often surprised by what this final pen to paper exercise generates. Sometimes these entries end up here on my blog but more often than not they are simply thoughts that help me see more clearly.
- I also have a Mindfulness journal which I write in occasionally. I like having a separate journal for that type of though.
There you have it. Following this practice feels good. How far it will eventually take me I have no idea, but I am optimistic that this practice will help bring me to better health and help me be more focused. It is gives me a better understanding of what my goals and desires are.
Joshua Tree 2026
I’ve been nominated to be the camp chef for our little group of misfits. It was actually more self-selected than nominated. I volunteered. I love cooking in the wild. Dutch Oven cooking is the only way to go. I’m excited for this year’s conclave. Cast Iron Cooking in Joshua Tree National Park
Night 1 - Pork and Beans, Corn Bread, Peach Upside Down Cake
Night 2 - Beef Stroganoff, Crispy Red Potatoes, Pumpkin Pie
Night 3 - Sloppy Joes, Apple Slaw, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars
Kitchen Measurements
| 1 Gallon | 1 Quart | 1 Pint |
|---|---|---|
| 4 quarts | 2 pints | 2 cups |
| 8 pints | 4 cups | 16 fl oz |
| 16 cups | 32 fl oz | - |
| 128 fl oz | - | - |
| 1 Cup | 1/4 Cup | 1 Tbsp |
|---|---|---|
| 16 Tbsp | 4 Tbsp | 3 tsp |
| 8 fl oz | 2 fl oz | - |
| Fluid Ounces | Teaspoon | Tablespoon |
|---|---|---|
| 1/8 fl oz | 1 tsp | 1/3 Tbsp |
| 1/2 fl oz | 3 tsp | 1 Tbsp |
| 1 fl oz | 6 tsp | 2 Tbsp |
| 2 fl oz | 12 tsp | 4 Tbsp |
| 2-3/4 fl oz | 1 tsp + 5 Tbsp | - |
| 4 fl oz | 24 tsp | 8 Tbsp |
| 8 fl oz | 48 tsp | 16 Tbsp |
| Cups | Pints | Quarts |
|---|---|---|
| 1/16 cup | - | - |
| 1/8 cup | - | - |
| 1/4 cup | - | - |
| 1/3 cup | - | - |
| 1/2 cup | 1/4 pint | - |
| 1 cup | 1/2 pint | 1/4 quart |
| 2 cups | 1 pint | 1/2 quart |
| 4 cups | 2 pints | 1 quart |
A Year of Living Stoically - January 8, 2026
Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 89
What is the meaning of life is a question we should all ask. We should be seeking the answer constantly, recognizing that it can change over time. There is no one answer out there to be found. The meaning of life is different for everyone. For me, the meaning of life is simply to practice justice, courage, and avoid those things that might bring harm to others.
Journal Entry - January 8, 2026
Free Speech
Free speech is a wonderful thing. But the thing about free speech that most people don’t understand is that it is illegal to use it to lie, cheat, and steal. It’s a shame that just saying it is immoral is not enough to stop some people from using it as a shield against the perpetration of illegal acts. We are living through an era where the most powerful people in our country are fully aware of this and are still using free speech to cover their aim of ripping off Americans while enriching themselves and their friends.
I never expected to see something like this in America. It’s possible this is what happens when you take civics out of the public education system, but I’m not going to rest the blame there. Our infatuation with social media and our inability apply moral filters to the content we are consuming is another important factor. The fact that Americans are slipping into illiteracy is not a trivial piece of the puzzle. Perhaps most significant, political actors with autocratic leanings realized that Donald Trump is the perfect tool for them to use to shift our nation to the right in ways that the people that voted for Trump never suspected.
It would be nice to get back to a political culture that embraces truth and respect over politically motivated lies and self aggrandizing tweets.
A Year of Living Stoically - January 9, 2026
Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 90
It is always important to examine why you are committed to a goal. Commitment is good. Goals are good. Keep in mind, they should always be pursued for the right reason. For example, if you are training for a marathon because that means you can spend less time at home supporting your family, you are committed to the wrong goal.
Journal Entry - January 9, 2026
Der Spiegel
Der Spiegel Magazine in Germany has Trump’s number. These are the covers from six issues published since the start of Trump’s second term.
Historically speaking, Germany has a bit more experience with Fascism than America. Perhaps that’s part of the reason why approximately 60% of Americans still support or are undecided when it comes to Fascism in America.
A Year of Living Stoically - January 10, 2026
Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 91
We can look for goodness or we can choose to make goodness. The latter is the path that leads to a better society. If everyone took that path, imagine how wonderful society would be.
Journal Entry - January 10, 2026
Male Behavior
There’s an old saying, women spend more time wondering what men are thinking than men actually spend thinking. It’s also been noted that men and women’s behavior is very different.
I think a lot of the difference in behavior is cultural. Here at home in the United States I wouldn’t hesitate to give a close male friend a hug in greeting or farewell, but wouldn’t occur to me to hold hands with him while walking down the street. In India where I was recently traveling, an Indian man that was one of our guides frequently reached out to take my hand as we were walking. At first I was taken aback, then I realized this was his way of saying that he loved me and respected me. Women probably would not have given this a second thought. Now that I have had the experience, I have to admit, it was gratifying.
Lifetime Reading Plan
I’m calling this my Lifetime Reading Plan. This is a place to occasionally come when I’m looking for a reading project. If something speaks to me here I’ll pick it up, if not, perhaps then another day. It gives me satisfaction to have a plan and this list is an inspiration.
Titles
The Magic Mountain
Buddenbrooks
Les Miserables
The Return of the Native
Essays
The Third Policeman
Letters to Eckermann
Lord Jim
Hamlet
King Lear
Moby Dick
The Sun Also Rises
Authors
Whitman
Thoreau
Twain
Joseph Campbell
Gary Snyder
Annie Dillard
Basho
Cervantes
Homer
John Muir
Chekhov
Dostoyevsky
Camu
Beckett
Nietzsche
Masters
Zen, Muslim, Taoist, Hassidic, Hindu
Reading Log 2025
Joy Ride by Kristen Jokinen
Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts
Stuck by Yoni Appelbaum
How Emotionally Mature Are You? by The School of Life
Turning to Stone by Marcia Bjornerud
Greek Philosophy by Helen Gagatsu
Merlins Tour of the Universe by Neil DeGrasse Tyson
The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday
The Traveling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa
The Creative Act by Rick Rubin
The Cat Who Taught Zen by James Norbury
My Friends by Fredrik Backman
Beartown by Fredrik Backman
Stillness is the Key by Ryan Holiday
The Hollow Crown by Eliot A. Cohen
Walking in Wonder by Adam Segel-Moss (Cliff Dancer)
Raising Hare A Memoir by Chloe Dalton
The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles
On Quality by Robert M. Pirsig
How to Write a Sentence and How to Read One by Stanley Fish
Abbey in America Edited by John A. Murray
Shadows on the Koyukuk by Sidney Huntington
Flaubert A Life by Geoffrey Wall
Reading Log 2026
I lean toward non-fiction and poetry, contemporary novels don’t do much for me, but I haven’t completely ruled out fiction. There is some fiction on my Lifetime Reading Plan, so tackling a work of fiction is bound to happen sooner or later. Reading is a great way to keep your mind flexible and engaged.
January
Gitanjali
A Collection of Indian Poems by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore
Nine Lives
In Search of the Sacred in Modern India by William Dalrymple
Rumi’s Little Book of Life
The Garden of the Soul, the Heart, and the Spirit translated by Maryam Mafi and Azima Melita Kolin
Recipe - PB (no J) Brownies (in Cast Iron)
Use either 10” or 12” Dutch Oven. This recipe bakes up very nicely but it should be allowed to cool before serving.
Ingredients
| Item | 10” Oven | 12” Oven |
|---|---|---|
| All Purpose Flour | 3/4 cup | 3/4 cup + 3/8 C |
| Cocoa Powder | 1/3 cup | 1/3 cup+ 2 tbsp + 2 tsp |
| Baking Powder | 1/2 tsp | 1/2 tsp + 1/4 tsp |
| Sea Salt | 1/2 tsp | 1/2 tsp + 1/4 tsp |
| Granulated Sugar | 1 cup | 1 cup + 1/2 cup |
| Unsalted Butter | 1/2 cup | 1/2 cup + 1/4 cup |
| Eggs | 2 | 3 |
| Peanut Butter | 1/2 cup | 1/2 cup + 1/4 cup |
Directions
- Melt butter in melting pot add sugar to incorporate
- Mix dry ingredients
- Best eggs
- Fold butter/sugar mixture and eggs into dry mixture
- Spread into parchment lined Dutch Oven
- Dab bits of peanut butter here and there on the top
- Sprinkle a few chocolate chips on top (optional)
Bake 15 to 25 minutes. For 10” oven use 7 coals on the bottom, 14 coals on the top. For 12” oven use 8 on the bottom, 17 on the top. Cool before cutting.
A Year of Living Stoically - January 11, 2026
Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 92
Find work that is satisfying and then bring something to that work that only you can provide.
Every event, no matter how small, is an opportunity to practice the principle of always doing the right thing.
Journal Entry - January 11, 2026
We are Lucky
We don’t understand how lucky we are. As a country and as a world community. And yet there seems to be an abundant willingness to throw it all away. I heard someone that lives near me say recently, “I don’t do anything the government tells me to do.” I have no idea what that person could possibly mean. I can’t help but think that person needs to leave America and go live in Iran, or Russia, or China in order to fully appreciate how lucky we are.
A Year of Living Stoically - January 12, 2026
Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 93
Live a good life ruled by reason. Consider carefully at all times, are my actions in accordance with nature? Do my actions benefit humanity? Are my actions in accordance with truth?
Journal Entry - January 12, 2026
1846
Wake up America.
“If you remove a dictator and put yourself in charge without an election you are a dictator.”
That is the best statement I have seen yet that summarizes Trump’s illegal and immoral action in Venezuela.
The second co-equal branch of government is asleep. The primary role of Congress is oversight. They are also the sole authority to approve an act of war. Their abrogation is appalling.
The third co-equal branch of government has completely lost any moral authority they might have once possessed. What could they possibly be thinking, weakening voting rights and raising the office of President above the law. And that’s is just for starters.
Welcome to 1846. How did that go?
Journal Entry - Dutch Oven Cooking
Dutch Oven Cooking
I’m cooking for eight guys in Joshua Tree National Park for three days. I’m assuming you are one of the many that sets an alarm every day to read each new post that I put up… Oops, I just realized that last bit I wrote after accidentally taking a second recreational gummy. I suppose demential has benefits. I’ll give myself a bit of time before continuing this entry.
Now that the gummy is beginning to wear off I can continue my rambling on Dutch Oven cooking. If you want good food in a campground, I don’t think you can do much better than to haul an assortment of cast iron ovens around in the back of your truck. There’s also the steel cook stand and all the accessories that go along with this sort of cooking. The benefit is you have available a wide range of menu choices from which to choose. Main dishes, side dishes, deserts, and everything in-between. You can do some of that with a stove, but not all. That’s what makes Dutch Ovens such a great choice, You can also use them at home in the back yard when you’re not in the campground.
For this trip, I tested all the recipes at home and fed my neighbors with leftovers for a week prior to heading out to Joshua Tree. The good news is I got good reviews from all the neighbors. The bad news is they are going to be expecting more of the same.
All of the recipes for this upcoming trip I found more or less at random. Some from the internet, some from the Lodge Dutch Oven Cookbook. Here’s the menu for the trip.
| Day | Main | Side | Desert |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Polly’s Baked Beans | Corn Bread | Peach USD Cake |
| 2 | Beef Stroganoff | Crispy Red Potatoes | Pumpkin Pie |
| 3 | Sloppy Joes | Apple Slaw(1) | Chocolate Brownies |
(1) Not in a Dutch Oven
I’m going to throw in a few surprises in addition to what’s above. I plan on a hot Queso dip with chips one afternoon, and maybe a baked hot dog lunch as well. I’m also going to be preparing breakfast on my bad-ass Camp Chef 3-burner stove top.
After I put this menu together I found the ultimate Dutch Oven cooking website. I can’t believe the recipes there. It’s going to be a blast making all of these!
Cheers!
Recipe - Queso Dip (in Cast Iron)
Queso in the afternoon with chips is a real treat in the campground. You don’t just open a package and throw it into a pot. This one takes a fair amount of skill and care in the preparation. This is a real treat. Dip the chips directly in the Dutch Oven.
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup finely diced white onion
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 4 oz can fire roasted diced green chilis drained
- 1/4 cup canned diced tomatoes (drained)
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- 1/3 tsp ground cumin
- 1/4 tsp ancho chili powder
- 1/8 tsp smoked paprika
- Dash of cayenne pepper for a spicier queso, optional
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/3 tsp table salt plus additional to taste as needed
- 12 oz can full-fat evaporated milk
- 8 oz freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese see note
- Corn chips for serving
Directions
- Melt butter in a large pot or skillet
- Add onion and cook until softened and translucent
- Add garlic and cook until fragrant then add tomatoes and chilis and cook until well-combined
- Add minced garlic, diced Roma tomato (or canned), fire roasted diced green chilis
- Sprinkle cornstarch over the ingredients and use a spatula to stir and cook until absorbed and no lumps remain
- Add cumin, chili powder, paprika, cayenne, pepper, and salt
- Gradually drizzle evaporated milk into the pot while whisking. Cook, stirring or whisking, until milk is completely combined, warmed, and slightly thickened
- Turn heat to low (remove most of the coals) and add shredded cheese. Stir until cheese is melted and completely combined. Taste-test and add additional spices as needed.
Recipe - Baked Hot Dogs (in Cast Iron)
I copied this right from the website Every Day Dutch Oven Cooking. I think this is going to be a good one.
Forget the grill this weekend, for your Memorial Day cook out why not try these Baked Hot Dogs in your dutch oven? I was so intrigued by this recipe when I saw it, one of my favorite ways to eat a hot dog is with a soft, steamed roll. By baking the hot dogs with all the toppings together, everything is wonderfully heated through and piping hot at the same time. I thought maybe the rolls would burn in spots but they were perfectly baked, warm inside and a little crispy on the outside.
Ingredients
- 8 hot dogs
- 8 hot dog buns
- 1 14 oz can chili with beans
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped
- 1-2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
- Mayonnaise
- Mustard
- Sweet Relish
Directions
- Lightly oil or spray Dutch Oven
- Spread the inside of each hot dog bun with mayo, mustard, and sweet relish
- Fill the hot dogs and place side by side in the oven
- Top each dog with chili, cheese and onion
- Bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes
- Remove with large spoon or and spatula
A Year of Living Stoically - January 13, 2026
Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 94
“Crimes often return to their teacher.” —Seneca
When considering your course of action, remember there is a balance in all things.
A Year of Living Stoically - January 14, 2026
Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 95
We need each other and we must be there for each other. We must also allow others to take care of us. This is as much a key to living as the law of gravity is a key to physics.
A Year of Living Stoically - January 15, 2026
Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 96
“Character is fate.” —Heraclitus
Considered in the long run, character will carry you further than luck or associations. Always strive to build character rather than rely on your association with others.
Journal Entry - January 13, 2026
RBG
“Fight for the things you believe in, but do it in a way that will cause others to join you.” —RBG
I prefer to say “make others want to join you for the right reason.” Good lesson to remember in these troubled times.
Journal Entry - January 14, 2026
Writing
I want to write beautifully. I’m not talking about the words or the meaning, although that would be nice. I’m talking about how the writing looks when I put pen to paper. I want the writing to be fluid. I want each character to express itself as beautifully as it can. When I look at the page after I set the pen down, I want to be proud of what I see — even before I read it. That means taking it slowly and focusing on each moment of the experience. Sometimes the words in my head will get ahead of the letters that are coming out on the paper. That’s okay. I can hit rewind and retrieve them, but once the ink is on the page, I can’t go back. The essence of writing by hand is engaging the brain on multiple levels, physical and mental, simultaneously.
I want to ski the same way that I want to write.
Journal Entry - January 15, 2026
Joe
I’m headed to Joshua Tree in a couple of weeks. That is the home of the California Desert Tortoise. I remember when I was a kid, probably elementary age, my Grandmother brought me a tortoise she picked up in the desert. She thought it would be a good idea for me to have one because at that age I was allergic to dogs and cats, almost everything in fact. Of course, it is illegal to remove a tortoise from the desert, they are protected, but that didn’t stop my Grandmother.
I named the tortoise Joe. I have no idea if he was male or female. That dian’t make a huge difference since the tortoise was 1,000 miles from home with very little chance of meeting another of his species living in my dad’s closet. Occasionally I would take Joe out of the closet and admire him, I discovered very soon that Joe was not like a dog at all, he didn’t want to play with me. I would give him some lettuce occasionally. He liked berries as I recall, but that was pretty much the extent of our play.
One summer day, not too many months after Joe came to live with us, I took him into the back yard to let him wander around in the grass and forage a bit. I set him down and left him alone for 30 minutes or so, when I came back he was gone. I remember being upset. I looked high and low but no Joe. We had painted our phone number on his shell, for just such an event. A few days later we got a call from a neighbor three blocks away enquiring if we were the owners of a “turtle.” Well, that was the end of Joe’s foraging days. Phone number or no, It was time to find him a better home. We did our best to remove the phone number from his shell and donated him to the Woodland Park Zoo.
I will never forget how thoughtful my Grandmother was, if not a tad bit misguided.
Journal Entry - January 16, 2026
Let’s go Skiing!
A Year of Living Stoically - January 16, 2026
Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 97
Were we born to be bad or were we born to be good. That is an age old question. Believe you were born to be good and you will find good works worth performing.
A Year of Living Stoically - January 17, 2026
Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 98
Are you studying philosophy or are you watching TV? That may seem like a silly question, who has time for philosophy? Maybe not philosophy per se, but the big questions in life deserve at least as much attention from us as we give to mindless pursuits like television. We should give time and energy each day to expand our understanding. The result will be growth and satisfaction.
A Year of Living Stoically - January 18, 2026
Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 99
Education means freedom. It also brings peace of mind. Pick up a book and read. It will set you free. More and more people are reading less. Studies have verified that. The more we read the better educated we are. The less we read the more susceptible we become to persuasion by people that do not have our best interests in mind. Stop listening and start reading.
A Year of Living Stoically - January 19, 2026
Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 100
Happy Birthday
Once a year this day arrives. I like to look back and appreciate all the good things that I have been blessed with. There are many. Too many to recount here and anyway, that’s not the purpose of this post. The message I want to share in this moment is that I feel fortunate to have been allowed to spend another year with the ones I love. I’m grateful for the knowledge I have gained. I’m also grateful for the growth I feel in my soul. Difficult concepts to describe, but it’s easier to become aware of them when you take the time to reflect.
I am looking forward to the coming year. My plan is to treat everyone with respect and graciousness. I’m planning to continue as best I can to improve my mind and body. I want to continue to grow in understanding of myself, of others, and of the God force that is in all of us and in all things.
Andorra Trip 2026 - 1/18 Day 1
Andorra Day 1
After a long day of travel; Seattle to Munich, Munich to Barcelona, a four hour bus ride to the resort, we arrived in Andorra at the Sports Hotel at 11 pm. To be precise, it’s a 28 hour day. The hotel kept their kitchen open to serve our little group a late dinner. I was a bit overwhelmed by this show of kindness. After a delicious late dinner, we were happy to get tucked into bed for about six hours of sleep before starting our first day on the snow.
We traveled with our boots but rented skis and poles. The ski shop had Black Crows, my favorite ski, but I had to take a pair that were a bit shorter than I prefer. I purchased a six day pass for 150 Eu. That’s a deal. That is more than half the going rate for a six day pass because I’m considered a Senior (over 70). In three years the pass will be free, that will make a return trip here worth considering.
It was finally time to go skiing! This was my first day on the snow this winter! That is a very late start to the season due to the limited snowfall on Mt Bachelor, our home mountain. The surface was good, the temp hovered just below freezing. Lots of cloud cover which hindered visibility but that’s good for snow conditions. I got in some good runs and felt good even though the skis were too short. A good first day. We took our time exploring runs and getting familiar with the mountain, it’s big. There is a lot to explore here.
We stopped into the rental shop after we came off the hill and they had a pair of Black Crows in my preferred length so I swapped out. The fellow that helped me was awesome. I’m looking forward to getting on the snow again tomorrow!
Our hotel is amazing. This shot of the lobby gives you a small taste of what we are enjoying here.
A Year of Living Stoically - January 20, 2026
Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 101
Deal with the choices that you actually have control over. Do not dally over matters that are outside of your control. What we can change and what we cannot change becomes the criteria for all decision making. Every moment you spend fretting over events outside your control is a moment not spent doing something worthwhile.
Andorra Trip 2026 - 1/19 Day 2
Andorra Day 2
Our ski trip to Andorra in the Pyrenees took an unexpected turn last night. Shortly after falling asleep I had a seizure. It was significant. I didn’t know the people around me or where I was for twenty minutes afterwards. I was taken to the hospital for treatment and observation. Fortunately I made a complete recovery and all tests were clear. I say the following somewhat tongue-in-cheek, although every word is true. Shortly after my arrival in the hospital the attending physician asked me if I know who the president of the United States was? I replied “Donald Trump and he is destroying democracy in America.” The doctor looked at my sweetheart in the room with me and said, “he’s okay.”
Happy Birthday!
Andorra Trip 2026 - 1/20 Day 3
Andorra Day 3
I’m still recovering from last night’s trauma. I slept all day today until almost 5 pm.