Tommy’s Window on the World

Tommy’s Window on the World

Stories, Reflections, and Glimpses of Life

From one still paying attention to the world around him

Welcome to my corner of the web, where I share memories, observations, and the occasional voice from family and friends.

My Current WoWs

WoW is my Window on the World — a place where the world feels a little closer and a lot more wonderful.

Woman comforting child at vintage bus station

Scary Movies

My first brush with what I would later call a ...
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Saint Peter at heavenly gate with book

What Happens When I Die?

I have lived on this earth for over 31,000 days—eighty-five ...
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Patriotic scene with liberty quote

What Does it Mean to be an American? — by Tommy

I was born eleven months before the start of World ...
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Young athletes playing baseball outdoors.

Brandon

I have three biological grandchildren and four “bonus” grandchildren through ...
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Elderly man and spirit in gym

Dad

My father left this world in 1986, after thirteen long ...
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My Favorite Sport

For most of my life, my favorite sport was football ...
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Guest Missives

Smiling bee mechanic illustration

Busy Bees… by JoAnn

Have you ever watched bees working in their hive? If you have, you ...
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Vibrant typography design "Live Laugh Love

In That Order… by JoAnn

One of my favorite items in my home is a simple piece of ...
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Mama’s Soup… by JoAnn

When I was growing up, one of the most wonderful smells ever to ...
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Medical professional writing notes

A Good Report… by JoAnn

As children, we got excited about a good report card. With pride, we ...
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Waiting… by JoAnn

Have you ever wondered, as human beings, how much time we all spend ...
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Animated figure giving a thumbs up

The Wink… by JoAnn

Have you ever had something good happen to you, a little gift to ...
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At the Acme

I picked up a grocery list someone left in their cart. The last item was, "Don't forget the love", next to a drawn heart. ❤️

Reading that line, a feeling unfolded in me that love's red threat runs through all things.

So, I watched to see it in action, and there it was, a father, arms heavy with groceries, stopping to make funny faces to soothe his crying child.

A man, hands shaking with age being helped by a young woman to bag his peaches. And, a voice in my head said that love was a doing a moment shared, not based on schemes or profit or discourse.

Love has its own discourse in the heart.

Oh, I know the risks, how love can explode in our face like gunpowder. How its quixotic riptides push us to make hurried declarations.

Or like a crowbar, it can pry our heart open against our will. But now, here at the checkout line, I want to add it as a major food group - tuck it in my bag along with the paper towels, carrots, and peas.

Roshi Ray Cicetti

My Favorite Quotes

Quotation marks in vibrant green color

Ralph Waldo Emerson

"The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be."

Quotation marks in vibrant green color

Ancient Indian Proverb

"Certain things catch your eye, but pursue only those that capture the heart."

Quotation marks in vibrant green color

George Addair

"Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear."

Quotation marks in vibrant green color

Washington Irving

"Love is never lost. If not reciprocated, it will flow back and soften and purify the heart."

Quotation marks in vibrant green color

Ralph Waldo Emerson

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."

Quotation marks in vibrant green color

Miguel de Cervantes

"Never stand begging for that which you have the power to earn."

Tommy

Good Story

Debby

Your missive brought tears to my eyes. I am glad you had this moment with your dad. I know he…

Betty Berry

What a great story! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. Thanks for sharing, Jane!

Susan Chappelle

I love the perfect illustration you added for Jane’s story, Tommy!

Tommy

I started my website in February 2017…Tommy

DichaelCoalm

Wow, wonderful blog format! How long have you ever been running a blog for? you made blogging look easy. The…

Betty

You did great. But no I can’t remember mine much less put it into 10 sentences , it all had…

Website 

I am always browsing online for tips that can benefit me. Thx!

  • The Hale Family Weekly Update (6/07/26)

    It has been a very good week for the Hale family—one of those weeks where life keeps you busy in all the right ways. Between doctor visits, tinkering with my new website, and getting a much-needed haircut (because Lancaster deserves my best appearance), we’ve stayed on the move.
    I’ve also been enjoying two books written by friends right here in our community: The Life and Legend of Turkey Pete by Joy Morris and Leavings, a thoughtful book of poetry by Stephanie Kay Sugioka. Both are excellent reads, and I highly recommend them—no, I’m not on commission, just a satisfied reader.

  • The Hale Family Weekly Update (06/14/26)

    This has been a fine week for the Hale family—no major disasters, just a few mechanical mischiefs and plenty of good company.
    I’ve been starting my mornings with coffee in one hand and a book in the other. Lately, I’m enjoying books by my friends Joy and Stephanie; reading the words of people you know feels like getting a little more of them each day. I also started “Shapely Fiction,” a gift from Dean, which is teaching me how to write fiction with more shape and less wandering. Before that, I was a kid in the woods without a compass. As long as I have a book beside me, I’m never lonely.
    Now, on to this week’s adventures.

  • Hale Family Newsletter – June 15-21, 2026

    This week featured trail walks, birthday celebrations, church and Bible study, website drama, grocery runs, guitar practice, and enough dinner conversation to qualify as an Olympic event.

  • Tommy

    Good Story

  • Debby

    Your missive brought tears to my eyes. I am glad you had this moment with your dad. I know he…

  • Betty Berry

    What a great story! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. Thanks for sharing, Jane!

  • Susan Chappelle

    I love the perfect illustration you added for Jane’s story, Tommy!

  • Tommy

    I started my website in February 2017…Tommy

  • DichaelCoalm

    Wow, wonderful blog format! How long have you ever been running a blog for? you made blogging look easy. The…

  • Betty

    You did great. But no I can’t remember mine much less put it into 10 sentences , it all had…