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Bonnie B. Matheson
- Reviving Rugged Individualism: The Need for Strong Men Today
Standing up for rugged individualism has become a divisive act. Extolling the virtues of masculine white males because they built this country with their rugged individualism has become taboo. We need more men with this character type. The best of the best, “Be all you can be.” was a popular US Army slogan that inspired people to join the Army. These were the sort of men who were once looked up to as the pinnacle of manhood. Now this is… - Why Last-Minute Trips Can Be Life-Changing
My phone rang, and when I answered, it was my oldest grandson on the line. We commiserated about the snow and ice everywhere between his home in Baltimore, Md, and mine in Charlottesville, VA. Then he said, “When the weather is this bad, there is only one thing to do.” I laughed and said jokingly, “Go to Florida?” He answered, “No. Go to Jamaica.” His parents own a cottage at Round Hill, not too far from Montego Bay. He told… - Burns Night to Celebrate the Poet
The best gift is a memory. Recently, I was given a gift that made me happier than any other this year. And the last couple of years have been filled with gifts as my family has grown and thrived. There have been weddings, engagements, great-grandbabies, and puppies, beyond my dreams! But for my birthday this new year 2026, my children gave me an experience I will not forget. They all agreed to attend a black-tie, kilted gala for Bobby Burns… - Was it serious?? What do you think?
Life keeps throwing new obstacles in my way! This past week has been an eye-opener in many ways. I learned I am comfortable confronting my mortality. Are you ready to face death if it comes? On Monday evening, I felt weird at the end of the day, and really, really tired. My son was watching football in my library, by a roaring fire. His dogs and my dogs were all draped over the couch. I sat down with them, too… - Grateful, Changed, and Still Thriving.
Looking Back on 2025 Grateful, Changed, and Still Thriving As the clock winds down on December 31, 2025, I’m sitting here in the quiet glow of a fire in my fireplace, decorations, Christmas lights, and a few still unsent Christmas cards, feeling a profound sense of peace. The house still holds the scent of pine, cinnamon, and the last remnants of holiday cooking. This year tested me deeply. A broken shoulder that slowed me but didn’t stop me, the shocking… - Thanksgiving!
It is over for another year! Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday of the entire year, has come and gone. This year was unusual because my broken shoulder is still healing, and my stamina is somewhat impaired as my body uses up energy healing itself. Nevertheless, I pulled it off. My family really pitched in, cooking and helping me in many ways. I also took advantage of professional kitchen help during the party. There were 22 relatives, including an infant great-grandson. I… - Something Has Changed
Clearly, something has changed, and I have decided to live! To thrive instead of just fading away as an old lady. Which is tempting at my age, with the world seeming to be in such turmoil and so many people still asleep. One solution is just to opt out. I discovered lately that I am not done yet. I cannot pinpoint when I changed my mind, but it may have happened last spring when I discovered I have alpha-gal, the… - Why Dogs Bring Joy Amidst Chaos
The news outlets keep telling us that people have become more violent in recent years. Certainly, their manners have deteriorated. Trying to maintain older ideas of proper behavior is becoming more and more difficult. Sometimes I find myself distressed by the lack of consideration shown to customers when shopping, or drivers in traffic, or even on campuses where students disrespect professors and administration in ways unheard of half a century ago. It distresses me and can cause my temper to…
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