Thanksgiving brings

Thanksgiving brings out the best in people; free turkeys to the needy, dinners for the hungry and open doors for the homeless. It's a day to give thanks and to be thankful for all we have; it's a day to share with those less fortunate - my kind of day! I'm blessed and thankful for my wife, Eve, my family and many friends - also a profoundly good dinner! ...And thanks for being you and for all you bring to this world. Peace, Gordy Graham

Every city or agency

Every city or agency I've worked with over the years is special. However El Palo Alto in California's Bay Area, will always hold a unique place in my memories for its special people, great heart and outstanding accomplishments. People change, but the desire for continuous improvement is alive and well in E. Palo Alto!. Peace, Gordy Graham

Keeping your vision

Keeping your vision for the future, and a clear picture of current reality, can be challenging at times, but the gap between the two is what creates the motivation needed to keep on keepin' on! Peace, Gordy Graham

Hindsight is always

Hindsight is always 20/20. It's filled with would'ves, could'ves and should'ves. There's a concept that has great merit: "deliberate preparation for a predetermined outcome." There's no free lunch. As a great athlete once told me, "Game day is the day before the game." Take nothing for granted. Prepare to win. Preparation plus opportunity equals success! Peace, Gordy Graham

Hindsight is always

Hindsight is always 20/20. It's filled with would'ves, could'ves and should'ves. There's a concept that has great merit: "deliberate preparation for a predetermined outcome." There's no free lunch. As a great athlete once told me, "Game day is the day before the game." Take nothing for granted. Prepare to win. Preparation plus opportunity equals success! Peace, Gordy Graham

Election day! Eve an

Election day! Eve and I mailed in our ballots last week, so it's just a matter of waiting now for the results. For so many years elections held very little interest for me. Now I find myself extremely concerned with who is chosen to represent our city, state and country. If labels applied I would be considered a liberal. However, there are issues where I am quite the opposite. The person running for office, not whether they're Democrat, Republican or Independent, is more important to me than his or her political affiliation. Two politicians from my state of Washington that I always admired are Dan Evans, a Republican, and Boothe Gardner, a Democrat. It does seem that the Democratic position on most issues is closer to my own views. Equal access to opportunities, honesty, fairness, optimistic view of the future, independent thinker, not controlled by the money, a commitment to keep jobs in this country - these are the qualities I'm looking for. One person can make a difference, and each vote counts. Peace, Gordy Graham

It's Monday night, N

It's Monday night, November 1st. Tomorrow we have the opportunity and the feedom - paid for by the blood of Patriots - to cast our ballot for the people we feel will best advocate for those issues that we support. Newspapers, radio and the Goliath of the media and the tube have been bombarding our living rooms with ads - paid for by the candidates? Not really! The media ads are funded by groups that have the most to gain by getting a candidate elected. In my humble opinion, the candidate with the bucks to hire the best writers, the most ad time and the largest and highest paid staff will be most likely to win. Once in a decade or so there's an upset. I'd really like to see a couple tomorrow, but I've only got one vote. Fortunately, my wife Eve and I are usually on the same page. Money talks, but the Washington Huskies beat U.S.C.; anything can happen. Get out and vote! Peace, Gordy Graham

Maintaining good men

Maintaining good mental health when things are positive is no challenge; it's when times get tough that it takes discipline. I've found that the glass half full is more encouraging than the glass half empty. My humble opinion. Peace, Gordy