As the end of summer approaches and my activity levels peak out each year, I tend to take a look at life in general and assess my mindset and review my own efforts regarding trying to be a good and happy person. Sorting through my thoughts is no simple task, but it has to be done from time to time.

Here are a few random thoughts (in cliché format), on what I think I’ve learned, affirmed, or relearned this year. I’m sure I’ve missed something, I usually do.

1. My wife Trudy rocks. She’s my best friend and my life partner. I love her with all my heart. When I find myself in times of trouble, mother Trudy comes to me.

2. No good deed goes unpunished. Try as one will, nothing done with good intentions is ever rewarded. Some things will always come back and bite you in the ass.

3. Don’t prioritize people who make you an option. People have different motivations and different goals. Wasting your time on people whose goals aren’t aligned with yours is most often a endeavor in frustration. Spinning tires have no traction.

4. Grandkids are a constant source of enjoyment. I have a lot of grandkids and I love every one of them.

5. You can please everyone some of the time, some of the people all the time, but can’t please everyone all of the time. Don’t dwell on those you can’t please, move on and let things go.

6. Don’t let the fear of failure keep you from trying. If you never try, you will most certainly fail. You’ll never hit any higher than you aim.

7. The fear of something happening is always worse than it actually happening. I worry too much.

8. I should have put a winch on my SUV.

9. Moose are the most interesting and majestic wildlife in North America. Did you know that moose will raid your camping spot? I’ve seen them dumpster dive too.

10. I love my Nikon D810. It’s out of date, obsolete and showing all the abuse of years of use. But, it still rocks as a digital camera and I’ll keep using it until it falls apart.