Paul Luvera Journal

Today, January 24th, is the annversary of the death of a great coach and mentor to me, William Taylor. I've published a full account of my high school relationship to this great coach and his profound influence in my life: https://paulluverajournalonline.com/weblog/2012/01/william-taylor-1922-2002-coach-and-mentor.html Many of us can point to one person or perhaps several people who played significant roles in our life. People who made the difference at a tipping point in our lives. Someone whose words or actions changed our attitude…

Read More Read More

I came across a website, “Want to know info” which had inspirational stories. http://www.wanttoknow.info/060520inspirationalstories There were multiple examples of failure turned into success. Many I had read before, but this was such an excellent collection I  recommend it to you. The website says the stories were compiled from two excellent books by Jack Canfield and Mark Hansen: Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul and A Cup of Chicken Soup for the Soul Here are some examples that were described.  …

Read More Read More

One more note about my friend Dan Sullivan who died last Sunday morning. In 1991 I received a large box from Dan. Inside was an antique framed print of a majestic lion standing on a rock. Accompanying the print was a letter from Dan which read: November 19, 1991 Dear Paul, When I discovered this in a little shop in London my mind went back twenty five years when we were young with fires in our belly. This old marvelous print embodies…

Read More Read More

My friend of many years  Daniel Sullivan died of lung cancer the morning of July 1, 2012 in Seattle. He  was 86 years old. His wife Susan was with him when he died. Lita and I had just visited with Susan and Dan last Wednesday before leaving the next day for a talk I was giving out of state. I'm thankful for that opportunity to say goodby without realizing it was good by. Dan was a plaintiff's trial lawyer who acomplished so much in his life. He was…

Read More Read More

Here are some thoughts about attitudes as we grow older. Maybe there is something here that will benefit you. The first is the thoughts of a Jesuit priest as he grew older. It has been reproduced many times. Prayer of an aging Jesuit Dear Lord, teach me to grow gracefully, help me to see that my community does me no wrong when gradually it takes from me my duty; when it no longer seems to seek my views. Rid me…

Read More Read More

Nick Petrish died this morning at his home in Anacortes. Nick and I were friends since our days as grade school students at the Whitney Grade school in Anacortes over 70 years ago. We also went through Junior High and High School together.  At Anacortes, we played on the same football and basketball teams (although he was younger and a better athlete than I was). Our lives remained joined since that time. In fact, we ended up spending the majority…

Read More Read More

In the 1933 movie In their Own League Tom Hanks as the manager to Gleena Davis star catcher who’s going to quit the team because it’s so hard. He says to her: "It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard everyone would be doing it. It's the hard that's makes it great.” Mike James when leaving King TV in 1993 to run for office, gave advice to newscasters:  "don't waste the viewer's time. Make sense. Speak English. Use half…

Read More Read More

The Whidbey  News Times http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/whidbey/wnt/news/128101138.html  reports that Dan Dodds 62, went fishing off  the beach at Keystone Split between the Coupeville ferry landing and island County Driftwood Park early last Thursday morning. Dodds retired from  contracting work in 2000 and moved to the island. Dodds worked at the Coupeville liquor store.  He loved golfing and golf, but his true love was fishing. He had fished almost every other day this season and  had yet to catch anything. He was fishing…

Read More Read More

One benefit of being confined to home with this leg locked straight the way it is,  is being  forced to take the time to enjoy the beautiful weather and being outside just enjoying  the day. Sitting outside this morning,  the sun was out and the temperature pleasant. The dogs were taking a nap.  A young bald eagle flew by, close to the house, making the unusual sound they do. It was pursued by two screeching sea  gulls. Usually it’s the crows that…

Read More Read More