June 16th was my mother’s birthday. She was born in 1912 and would now be 108 years old. Affectionally known to her grandchildren as “Granny”, she lived with us her last 4 years, dying in 1996…24 years ago. Mary Dempsey Touhill Mary Elizabeth Dempsey Touhill did not have an easy life. She was 10 years old … Continue reading “Granny” →

Well, we got out of “Dodge” for a few days. Yep, we’re in the Pocono mountains of Pennsylvania. While there’s still masks and social distancing, it’s not quite as intense as home. We went to mass this morning and it was very organized and welcoming…not as much intensity.. easier to focus on the Eucharist.  We went … Continue reading “Courage Rides Again” →

My daughter Catherine, who is on the Board of Directors of my BLOG, suggested I move some of the posts back to the topic of the Coronavirus… since the name of the BLOG is “Dave’s Thoughts During The Coronavirus”.   Well, one thing I’m doing  during the pandemic is  reading stories to my younger grandchildren on ZOOM.  My team … Continue reading “Chief Big Face” →

Growing up I loved to play basketball. If we could have leveled the playing field, I would have been pretty good; I needed to be at least a foot taller. At 6’9”, I would have been something. (To prove my point, a very famous NBA star and I have the same birthday in August.)   NOT … Continue reading Level Playing Field ??? →

We’ve heard the  admonition  “before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes”… ie. look to understand his experiences, challenges and thought processes. This is also called empathy,…. “ the ability to sense other people's emotions… to imagine what someone else is thinking or feeling; it’s the capacity to place oneself in another's position.”  Something good happens when you realize … Continue reading “Does He Understand Us ?” →

If you want to stop your complaining, you need to spend time with people who don’t complain. This morning I met with a group of friends. We met outside, with proper social distancing, to discuss how we’re doing. I have known these men for many years. We meet to share our life in Christ. After … Continue reading “In Case You’re Thinking Of Complaining” →

800 Kingsland Ave, University City, Mo. I remember it clearly. It was a Saturday afternoon and I was watching the University of Missouri football game… it was a critical moment in the game. Judy rushed in from a day of renewal at our parish with great enthusiasm. She spoke about Jesus,  about giving her life to … Continue reading 800 Kingsland Ave ….. My Mount Sinai” →

I wonder if God sometimes kicks back, puts his feet up, and just laughs at the people he created. I’m not talking about the sin and sorrow and suffering of the human race.. which is everywhere…I’m talking about the normal “Joe Blow” who goes about his day to day business. People can be very funny. … Continue reading “That’s Not Funny” →

If you’ve ever looked out the window flying into Newark airport, you will see below thousands of houses, big and small, one after another ... it doesn’t seem to end…. millions of people. It makes me feel very small. I don’t care if I'm flying coach or first class (rarely) or in a private jet … Continue reading “ Lost In The Shuffle?” →

It took me quite a while to get in the habit of going to the gym. I hated going to the gym … but after a time, I developed somewhat of a habit. A habit is “a way of behaving that is repeated so often it no longer involves conscious thought”. Well, even in my best days, I … Continue reading “Not Going To The Gym” →