Amazing Today, Ask Diamond Mike, Gallery of Diamonds, Jewelry

The Brentlinger Diamond

Lorraine Brentlinger was born January 7, 1919.  Her mother, Elsie, died one week later most likely from complications of childbirth, but this is non-verifiable.  Elsie’s  husband, Roy Brentlinger, was born August 15, 1894. He became a chief dispatcher of Norfolk Southern Railroad and was a Deacon of the church.  During the same year that his… Continue reading The Brentlinger Diamond

Amazing Today, Jewelry, Life Adventures, Philosophy

You are a Living Masterpiece

Downtown Los Angeles was scorching hot as I strolled onto a busy street corner filled with impatient jewelers and diamond merchants.  A handsome young man vied for my attention with a brochure in an outstretched arm.  “Thank you,” I said, accepting his offering.  I glanced down and it said, “Join Our Christian Fellowship.”   I… Continue reading You are a Living Masterpiece

Amazing Today, Philosophy

Pascal’s Wager

Even in my mom’s loving voice I understood her tactic when she asked me,  “Would you rather believe in God and find out you were right, or not believe in Him and find out you were wrong?” “Wouldn’t you rather believe in God just in case he is real?” Even at seventeen years old  I… Continue reading Pascal’s Wager

Amazing Today, Family Life, Life Adventures

The Shadow of the Eclipse

August 21, 2017. I am in Riverton, Wyoming. I have never been here before, but from the encouragement of a friend, I am now standing in the middle of a near-barren desert ranch at 11am in the warm Wyoming sun. I have already spent two nights with my wife, Carmen, in a cozy tent awaiting… Continue reading The Shadow of the Eclipse

Amazing Today, Life Adventures, Philosophy

A Great Leader Does Not Have to March With a Sword

Perhaps it is once in a lifetime a leader arises amongst us to remind us what is important and to challenge our thinking. Thich Nhat Hanh taught us that a fearless leader does not have to be a powerful warrior. Thay’s power came from something much more effective than a sword and shield. His power… Continue reading A Great Leader Does Not Have to March With a Sword

Amazing Today, Life Adventures, Philosophy

Be Thankful for your Suffering.

Hooray! I survived Covid (actually, being vaccinated I recuperated quickly.) But I got shingles at the same time! I feel somewhat slighted because I couldn’t separate the Covid experience with the other ailment. I’m not complaining. Soon I will be jumping around. I try to live as I teach and I am thankful for this… Continue reading Be Thankful for your Suffering.

Amazing Today, Life Adventures, Philosophy

Mourning

Do not make yourself look haggardly or unkempt when you grieve.  You do not need to show the world you are grieving. If you hold joyful memories in your heart, and know that you contributed more happiness than sorrow to your loved one, you must not frown, but be joyful.  If there is consciousness beyond the grave,… Continue reading Mourning

Adoption, Amazing Today, Life Adventures, Philosophy

The Secrets of the Universe

As a young adoptee I had one simple quest: to find my birthmother. Twenty years later I found her, but she had already died. I did, however, joyously find loving aunts, uncles, two brothers, a sister, and even an 87-year-old grandmother! When it rains, it pours. My mission was successful, but a new quest began:… Continue reading The Secrets of the Universe

Adoption, Amazing Today, Family Life, Life Adventures

I Never Asked to be Born

I never asked to be born. But I’m glad I was. I never met my birthmother or father. But I’m glad they met one another. That’s why I can type this. Whew! Their acquaintance was probably anonymous and brief. Sometimes humans need something from another at particular moments in their lives.  Sometimes it’s a need to… Continue reading I Never Asked to be Born

Adoption, Amazing Today, Philosophy

Born from the Stars

Today I paused to print my family tree that was painstakingly assembled with the help of the most amazing women researchers who became my friends.   As an adoptee who never met my birth parents, I always wondered how I got here.  Today I feel complete in knowing I arrived on planet Earth from the human… Continue reading Born from the Stars

Amazing Today, Childhood Memories, Life Adventures, Philosophy

The Truth Bridge

I talked to an old friend for the first time since I was a young teen. He was black and lived on an adjacent street. I used to sit behind him on his bike with the banana seat as we pedaled to the corner store for a bag of chips and a soda. I was… Continue reading The Truth Bridge

Amazing Today, FlyUp!, Gallery of Diamonds, Jewelry, Life Adventures, Philosophy

Living Promises

By Diamond Mike Watson. Fountains Living Promises pendant. I created the Living Promises pendant and its verses for a user to summon any positive virtue. Forged in precious metal, the Living Promises pendant renders its charm with positive thought. The inspiration of the design came from a sketch my adoptive mother, Martha, drew when he… Continue reading Living Promises

Amazing Today, Family Life, Life Adventures, Philosophy

You Can Keep the Seashells

Maybe it was 1985 when I was divorced from my first wife. The marriage lasted less than a year so many memories have faded. Somehow a glass jar of seashells survived and has provided no more than the important reminder of the eternal beauty of nature.  At first, it was fairly easy to divide our… Continue reading You Can Keep the Seashells

Amazing Today, Life Adventures, Philosophy

Sharing the Same Experience- Part Four

  A friend asked if I was a cup-half-full or a cup-half-empty guy. I quickly answered that my cup was neither because it was always gushing over its brim. Then I realized that if most people’s excitement level never varies between zero to three out of ten, mine usually hovers constantly around twelve. Using the… Continue reading Sharing the Same Experience- Part Four

Amazing Today, Family Life, Life Adventures, Philosophy, Society

The Importance of Knowing

The hardened criminal may say he was never loved. But is more love the solution?  Can we create more love?  Is there only so much love out there?  Or is love a finite element like hydrogen and oxygen?  While a torrential downpour floods one country, another country may be cheated from a single drop of… Continue reading The Importance of Knowing