by Phil Houseal | Apr 29, 2026 | All Articles, Education, History, Philosophy
April 29, 2026–I had dropped off my tax forms at the post office and, as I am oft accused of doing, abruptly headed out the door. The clerk called out to remind me to take my receipt as proof of mailing. I must have appeared impatient, as she good-naturedly explained...
by Phil Houseal | Apr 15, 2026 | All Articles, Education, History, Philosophy
April 15, 2026–Have you ever wanted to call yourself an “award winning” whatever-it-is-you-do? Maybe it’s an award-winning plumber. Or an award-winning wedding cake baker. Or an award-winning human resources manager. Or dog walker. Or seat filler. I always wanted to...
by Phil Houseal | Mar 25, 2026 | All Articles, Education, Food, History, Philosophy
March 25, 2026–How many of you coffee bean explorers have sailed the seas with Starbuck, scaled the Andes with Juan Valdez, and saved a marriage with Mrs. Olsen, only to return to a cup of instant? I was never a dedicated coffee drinker. I grew up in the days of...
by Phil Houseal | Mar 18, 2026 | All Articles, Education, Food, History, Philosophy
March 18, 2026–A most pivotal change in culture happened in our lifetimes. Yet I would bet most of you haven’t recognized it. This simple conversion changed at a base level how we view and interact in the world. No part of society is untouched by it. Yet in a way we...
by Phil Houseal | Feb 18, 2026 | All Articles, Education, History, Philosophy
Feb 18, 2026–If I had to learn to read today, I would be illiterate. Like most of you, I learned to read and write a lifetime ago. I’ve been a teacher, author, columnist, songwriter, and I even wrote letters in cursive when stamps only had presidents on them....
by Phil Houseal | Feb 4, 2026 | All Articles, Education, Philosophy
Feb 4, 2026–I love making and keeping a “To Do” list. Little is more satisfying than changing a “to do” to “done.” But I have discovered a more important list–a “Stop Doing” list. This concept was formed while I was working in an administrative capacity. During a...
