Gallery of Diamonds, Life Adventures, Philosophy

Thoughts Become Things

In the near future from when this post is written, the southeast corner of our new jewelry store will look like one of these computer illustrations. The first Gallery of Diamonds was established in 1991 in a 700-square foot office. The new store will showcase antique to modern jewelry and my new line of Moon… Continue reading Thoughts Become Things

Life Adventures, Music

All the World’s a Stage

In 1982 I was twenty-four. It was a year when one could express themselves artistically and still be served a free drink during the gig and a small paycheck afterward. There were no prerecorded backgrounds, digital recorders, or software that could tune the flat pitches of our voices. (Although two years earlier the worlds first… Continue reading All the World’s a Stage

Life Adventures, Philosophy

The Impossible Question

This morning on the streets of Los Angeles, an old man scooted passed me in a wheelchair. His clothes and beard were filthy. Rolling past me, his eyes were fixed on the tall buildings in the distance. The city was beginning to stir with noisy buses and business people. The man mumbled something like, "Can… Continue reading The Impossible Question

Life Adventures, Poetry

Orange

There are colors you may like best But orange to me is a treasure chest It is the only stanza I remember of my second grade poem of my favorite color at the time. I remember my friend David struggling to make his poem rhyme. Blue, stew, glue, chew. My poem was at least twenty… Continue reading Orange

Life Adventures, Philosophy

The Universe is a Mirror

Speaking broadly, have you ever noticed how some people are always encouraging, kind, and positive and others are always gloomy and negative? I do not see life as a cosmic war between opposites, but we can easily categorize what we have been taught as good and non-good. Why is this? Some people always seem to… Continue reading The Universe is a Mirror

Ask Diamond Mike, Gallery of Diamonds, Life Adventures

Giving a Diamond

People ask me how big of a diamond they should get their girlfriend or how much to spend. Please do not worry about these things. The size or the price does not determine how much you love someone. In fact, it is not a diamond that makes a person happy, it is the memories associated… Continue reading Giving a Diamond

Life Adventures, Philosophy

Knowing We Are Loved

When a child knows he or she is loved, they will grow up to do tremendous things. Knowing we are loved is the greatest gift, because it becomes instilled in us our entire lives. It is an immense responsibility to be a parent. We may not realize it, but our kids are watching everything we… Continue reading Knowing We Are Loved

Life Adventures, Philosophy

Knowing We Are Loved

Love has always fascinated me. I have learned that it is knowing we are loved that determines our capability of loving ourselves. When we are able to love ourselves, it is so easy to love others.

Life Adventures

Fabulous is Where You Look for it

It was a such a brief moment, but I felt warm inside when my wife smiled at me just before the waitress inserted a fresh rose into the vase on our table. It is impossible for me to see through your eyes. I cannot feel or touch what you feel or touch. I do know… Continue reading Fabulous is Where You Look for it

Family Life, Life Adventures

How to Make Amazing Biscuits and Gravy

When I was little, my mom would slave away over the hot kitchen stove every Saturday morning. I remember her constantly stirring milk sprinkled with flour and seasoned with bacon grease in a large skillet until the gravy was the desired thickness. Then she would crumble crisp bacon or chipped beef into the scalding pan.… Continue reading How to Make Amazing Biscuits and Gravy

Family Life, Life Adventures

How to Make the Best Cupcakes

See my 2-minute instructional video here: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Vr3JId7H9WM Due to the overwhelming response to my homemade cupcakes, I made a tutorial how to make these delicious treats. Never say,"I don't have time" or, "There's no way I could do that!" Believe me, my first batch turned out horrible. With practice, will become an expert baker and… Continue reading How to Make the Best Cupcakes

Family Life, Gallery of Diamonds, Life Adventures

The Story of Diamond Mike and Carmen

After working for a diamond company for many years in the Midwest, I moved to California. I drove for days, and arrived in Orange County. While unloading my belongings, I saw a beautiful, dark-skinned girl with long hair. She said her name was Carmen. After some small talk we made our first date. The next… Continue reading The Story of Diamond Mike and Carmen

Life Adventures, Philosophy

The Garden Chair

As I type these words from my electronic device, I realize that this same instrument has stifled my life to the confines of my garden chair. Our bodies are agile and are designed for motion. How many butterflies have I missed that fluttered by me today? Did I ignore a child who tugged on my… Continue reading The Garden Chair

Gallery of Diamonds, Life Adventures, Why Mom Deserves A Diamond

The Embers of Encouragement

It is funny I never had the burning desire to be a diamond broker until I was hired at the Shane Diamond company in Louisville, Kentucky. I just received my degree from Indiana University and was ready for the world. None of my college classes taught anything notable about this miracle gem that was created… Continue reading The Embers of Encouragement

Life Adventures

Big Red

"That'll be $4.99," the cashier said as he slid the cans of Big Red soda to the grocery bagger. "What flavor is that stuff, anyways? Cherry? Strawberry?""I don't know," I answered, "but I haven't drank one in twelve years. It's hard to find Big Red in this part of the country, but I sure loved… Continue reading Big Red