Back in the dark ages (when I was young and there were no personal computers, cable TV, video games or Internet), books were my best friends. I traveled the world, learned how to do things, exposed myself to new ideas and ways of thinking – none of which would have happened any other way in the little town where I grew up. As a kid, I easily averaged reading 300 books a year, and remember my mom “forcing” me to go outside and play during the summer…

It’s New Year’s Day and a good chunk of the world is making resolutions. I don’t do that. Making New Year’s Resolutions is far too linear an activity for me.

Instead, I do a duck inventory. I don’t worry too much about getting or keeping them in a row. (My ducks are too much like me for that.)