By Neal Lemery Being a man in the United States in 2026 is a daunting task, with many obstacles, expectations, and challenges. We don’t make it easy for men to be “successful”…
Category: Words of Wisdom
WORDS OF WISDOM: Spring Cleaning Madness
By Neal Lemery I’ve been on a spree of decluttering, downsizing, and bringing order to my house. I’ve realized I have hoarding tendencies, and that my lifestyle is messy, cluttered, and often…
WORDS OF WISDOM: Adding to the Family
By Neal Lemery My family grew this weekend. A very close friend who I’ve mentored, and who has been a big part of my life, sharing his adventures and many achievements, grew…
WORDS OF WISDOM: The Art of Listening to the Community
EDITOR’S NOTE: As the invitation to our Pioneer Party said – “We couldn’t do this without all of you.” I’m especially proud of our team here at the Pioneer. When I came…
BOOK REVIEW: When the Forest Breathes – Renewal and Resilience in the Natural World by Suzanne Simard
By Neal Lemery Rarely do I anticipate a new book that arrives in my mailbox with such curiosity and eagerness. Yet Suzanne Simard’s newest book has pushed my other reading aside as…
WORDS OF WISDOM: Filling the Bird Feeder
By Neal Lemery One of the satisfying domestic chores at my house is the filling of the bird feeder. There’s instant gratification in watching the feeder suddenly be filled with dozens of…
WORDS OF WISDOM: Another Flavor in the Gumbo
by Neal Lemery “It was February 28, 2006; the first Mardi Gras after Hurricane Katrina had wrecked New Orleans. The great city—The Big Easy—felt half-deserted and distinctly uneasy. More than half the population…
WORDS OF WISDOM: A Stranger’s Story Gives Lesson in Listening
By Neal Lemery We were strangers, both stuck in limbo in a waiting room, with no place to go. He started talking, telling a story of moving here a month ago, enjoying…
WORDS OF WISDOM: What Is The 25th Amendment?
By Neal Lemery Recent political commentary mentions the use of the 25th Amendment to the US Constitution, raising the specter of removing the president from power for reasons of incapacity or disability. What is…
WORDS OF WISDOM: I Don’t Know How To Respond
By Neal Lemery The recent events in Minneapolis have pushed my buttons, knocked me to the ground emotionally, and left me dazed, stunned. When I was a kid, I remember the news…
