Welcome to SmartsMatter

“What I lack in smarts, I make up for in work…and given how hard I have to work, I must not be that smart!”–Greg hague

The 100% Rule

Do you know about The 100% Rule? I learned it from my dad, Chubby. He was the epitome of “all in” — never unclear, uncommitted, or “kinda

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Choices, Chances, Changes

With 2021 around the corner, many are pondering New Year’s resolutions. Some will be setting goals, but I will be making choices, taking chances, and causing changes.

Read More »

That Ain’t No Bull

I write a lot about my dad, Chubby. His guidance, inspiration, encouragement, and life lessons propelled me to a better life. Chubby earned the right to

Read More »

Uman Hay Anguage Lay

It’s ironic…as I begin writing this article about language, I realize that the very subject I’m writing about is what gives me the ability to

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Facts About Greenbacks

Ever wonder where the word “buck” comes from?   In the 18th century, buckskins (deerskins) were often traded as a form of barter.  Ever hear someone say they had

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Presley Gets Polio

A deadly virus is ravaging the country.  It’s a national emergency.  The quest to find an effective vaccine is critical. Sound like today?  It was actually 1952. Before COVID, poliovirus

Read More »

Babies By The Billions

A few weeks ago I wrote the first article in a new series called The Key To Captivating. It was about interesting and often unknown facts that

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Love Your Enemies

It’s been about a week since the election. While some celebrate, others commiserate. I expect we can all rejoice at the disappearance of political ads. Now

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Live A Legacy

The Plaza Hotel.   I don’t have to tell you where it’s located (because you already know).   20 stories.  282 rooms.  A Manhattan masterpiece. Over the past 113 years it

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Perfectly Imprefect

Many years ago my son, Brian, was excited to buy his first new car. He did weeks of research before deciding on a top of the line

Read More »

Big Scary Moments

In the late 1970’s I was invited to give a 20-minute presentation to over 1,000 Shaklee distributors in Cincinnati, Ohio, where I grew up. I had

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Three Circles of Worry

October ’62. Cuba. Missiles. Blockade. Nuclear War?… I’m 14… old enough to know the mess we’re in.  An American U-2 spy plane just photographed “hidden” Soviet SS-5 land-based

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Who Gets the Credit

It started with a phone call from my son. Brian: “Hey Dad, have a few minutes to talk? I have a question.” Dad: “Hey Bri,

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Lady Mondegreen

“O say can you see by the donzerly light. What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming…” When I was in elementary school, we sang

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The Perfect Proposal

Guy: Hey honey, I have something important to tell you. Want to know? Girl: Of course! Guy: Remember when you told me about the guy who never opened

Read More »

FLASHING THE CHAPEL

Did you hear about the man caught flashing the Chapel? To be precise, the Sistine Chapel.  Why would anyone commit such a lascivious act, especially in one

Read More »

The 100% Rule

Do you know about The 100% Rule? I learned it from my dad, Chubby. He was the epitome of “all in” — never unclear, uncommitted, or “kinda

Read More »

Choices, Chances, Changes

With 2021 around the corner, many are pondering New Year’s resolutions. Some will be setting goals, but I will be making choices, taking chances, and causing changes.

Read More »

That Ain’t No Bull

I write a lot about my dad, Chubby. His guidance, inspiration, encouragement, and life lessons propelled me to a better life. Chubby earned the right to

Read More »

Uman Hay Anguage Lay

It’s ironic…as I begin writing this article about language, I realize that the very subject I’m writing about is what gives me the ability to

Read More »

Facts About Greenbacks

Ever wonder where the word “buck” comes from?   In the 18th century, buckskins (deerskins) were often traded as a form of barter.  Ever hear someone say they had

Read More »

Presley Gets Polio

A deadly virus is ravaging the country.  It’s a national emergency.  The quest to find an effective vaccine is critical. Sound like today?  It was actually 1952. Before COVID, poliovirus

Read More »

Babies By The Billions

A few weeks ago I wrote the first article in a new series called The Key To Captivating. It was about interesting and often unknown facts that

Read More »

Love Your Enemies

It’s been about a week since the election. While some celebrate, others commiserate. I expect we can all rejoice at the disappearance of political ads. Now

Read More »

Live A Legacy

The Plaza Hotel.   I don’t have to tell you where it’s located (because you already know).   20 stories.  282 rooms.  A Manhattan masterpiece. Over the past 113 years it

Read More »

Perfectly Imprefect

Many years ago my son, Brian, was excited to buy his first new car. He did weeks of research before deciding on a top of the line

Read More »

Big Scary Moments

In the late 1970’s I was invited to give a 20-minute presentation to over 1,000 Shaklee distributors in Cincinnati, Ohio, where I grew up. I had

Read More »

Three Circles of Worry

October ’62. Cuba. Missiles. Blockade. Nuclear War?… I’m 14… old enough to know the mess we’re in.  An American U-2 spy plane just photographed “hidden” Soviet SS-5 land-based

Read More »

Who Gets the Credit

It started with a phone call from my son. Brian: “Hey Dad, have a few minutes to talk? I have a question.” Dad: “Hey Bri,

Read More »

Lady Mondegreen

“O say can you see by the donzerly light. What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming…” When I was in elementary school, we sang

Read More »

The Perfect Proposal

Guy: Hey honey, I have something important to tell you. Want to know? Girl: Of course! Guy: Remember when you told me about the guy who never opened

Read More »

FLASHING THE CHAPEL

Did you hear about the man caught flashing the Chapel? To be precise, the Sistine Chapel.  Why would anyone commit such a lascivious act, especially in one

Read More »