Category Archives: Uncategorized

By Jim Dickens October 29, 2025 So I asked Brenda,” How do you get to Paro?” and she said, “Most fly in from Kathmandu.”  And, I thought to myself, “How in the hell do you get to Kathmandu?”.   It’s not a United Airlines destination.  Brenda was my coordinator for a cultural/ fly fishing adventure.Continue reading “A New Level of Travel”

By Jim Dickens Late April 2025 I live in a nice suburb outside of Chicago safely and comfortably.  I believe what I am told that some places in the Chicago area are the opposite.  However when I listen to fellow suburbians putting forth problem/solutions I feel critical thinking they don’t really know.  As I satContinue reading “Do you really know?”

By Jim Dickens April 29, 2025 Montana land owners annex public lands by blocking access unless you have a helicopter.  Pickleball courts have stacks of  racquets on Saturday morning and you need to click your mouse exactly seven days in advance to get a good golf tee time.  Public access is getting tougher as theContinue reading “Golf’s Field of Dreams”

by Jim Dickens  San Francisco February 2025 I have a very low Art IQ.  We have virtually no art in our house just pictures stirring happy memories.  However friends and family are trying to help. After returning from England, several days later we jetted to San Francisco to see our son Chris and his wifeContinue reading “Art”

By guest blogger, Kevin Greshock January 2025 The Bacon’s annual pilgrimage to San Jose Del Cabo included a few additional pilgrims this year – eight of us in total! Although the weather in Cabo was unusually windy and cool for January, we were all happy to be away from the below-zero temperatures of Illinois. AsContinue reading “Kevin in Cabo”

By Jim Dickens  February 10 2025 Well the start of the new year has been a series of illogical events small all the way to existential.  Over the last week during a trip England. Small Went to see the ABBA Voyage experience in London.  It features avatars of the ABBA musicians created by holographic means. Continue reading “Illogical Happenings”

Jim Dickens  1/16/2025 The 2024 holiday season was a forcing function to make sure we moved into our new home properly.  We had visitors coming and a series of parties to host.  It required an intensive effort and dusting off some old project management and handyman skills.  We are past that now and have evenContinue reading “Forcing Function and Recharge”

Opinion Piece by Jim Dickens 11/26/2024 It’s the time of the year when we give thanks and make resolutions about the future.  Our family now has a tradition where we sit down and share our charitable donation choices and the reasons why.  It’s a deeper sharing beyond sports and the weather resulting in constructive heartfeltContinue reading “Year End Introspection and Future Fears”

by Jim Dickens October 2024 It was interesting to me how the situational context changed my emotional response.  For several months I planned a trip with flights, lodging, guides, gear and research.  I planned to visit the Smoky Mountains for a couple of weeks with my family for a while and my fishing buddy, Chet,Continue reading “Easy Pivot”

Informative but boring by Jim Dickens October 2024 Ok our world changed.  The kids left, we stopped working and it was time to spend our savings living out retired freedom.  We could live anywhere and do anything. Lori and I are just finishing up moving our household just 7 minutes away from our old homeContinue reading “Moving in Retirement Insights”