On a Pilgrimage with Augustine’s Confessions

In his ground-breaking work The Confessions, Augustine of Hippo (AD 343-430), a prominent theologian and philosopher of early Christianity, paved the way for self-disclosure and the art of writing one’s life story. In On a Pilgrimage with Augustine’s Confessions, Dr. Blom delves into Augustine’s role as both protagonist and reflective narrator, portraying him as Christianity’s original existential hero.

Blom draws parallels between Augustine’s journey and that of the wanton prodigal son, viewing Augustine’s address to God as the voice of an ‘everyday man’ struggling to find his way home – a spiritual homecoming. By masterfully weaving together Jungian archetypal psychology, mythology, biblical interpretations, and autobiography, Blom invites the reader to embark on a captivating journey that bridges the gap between Augustine’s musings and meditations from the fifth century and the present day.

On a Pilgrimage with Augustine’s Confessions offers a fresh perspective on a timeless classic, making it an essential read for anyone seeking to explore the depths of the human soul and the enduring relevance of Augustine’s wisdom.

Oscar's House

I was a child in 1970s Montana raised by a father who was age 47 when I was born. He was adopted and joined the military at 18. He traveled the world with the Airforce and when he returned he realized "people are people" and told his children, "Treat people the way you want them to treat you." He set out to raise his children with morals and to be principled even though as a young man he hadn't always been. It wasn't until he got married and became a father, that he began wanting to be an upright person. His house was organized; rules, learning lessons, laughter and anger at his subjects at times, but, he maintained that he knew how to live this life and if we listened to him and gave our parents, teachers, neighbors and each other respect half the battle would be won. He believed that the old school way of rearing children was the right way. I doubted his words until I had children of my own now and I understand he was right. And in this book I will tell you why.

Our Forgotten Cultures

In the 1980s, Sasi finds herself playing the role of involuntary trailblazer, as the first Nepali woman to immigrate to her small community in Eastern Canada.

There is no guidebook on how to navigate life, identity, and motherhood in this strange new place. Nor is she prepared for the triple whammy of racism, sexism, and ageism that confronts her as she seeks to gain a footing in the workplace and society.

Weaving together personal recollections with those of family members, Sasi takes the reader on a journey that is strikingly honest, emotional, and ultimately hopeful.

Our Stock Is Rising

I spent the early years researching the topic. The goal was to teach them as I learned, and to stay one step ahead of my classes. I took them to see the experts at Key Bank and the Wright State University School of Business. As time went on, the experts came to us. The late Ellis Rowe (former VP, Mars, Inc.), and Theo Killion (former CEO, Zales) flew in from Jacksonville and Chicago respectively, just to share a few of their valuable hours for what they both found to be an invaluable experience.

This book is written by a teacher, for teachers. Unlike other books of its kind, this one’s not written by an expert in the field of investment financing. Quite frankly, I saw in this project, such a sense of urgency, that the need for it to be delivered by experts (whenever they became available), was outweighed by the need for it to be delivered in the here and now.

Our Stock Is Rising is a metaphor that speaks not just to the disenfranchised, but to all the little kids in all the neighborhoods outside New York’s famed Financial District. It says that we are not always too young. And that the things we are allowed to be challenged by in our youth, won’t be the things that deny us a place at the table, as adults.

Overcoming Life's Challenges

The author tells his story of being born under the Gemini star sign, living a life defined by an unremitting struggle between the conflicting twins of “Yes, I can” and “No, you can’t!” It describes a struggle of early childhood uncertainty, being hidden as a child, of unanswered questions and preferring to be in the background during his childhood through to his middle years. Generally surrendering to the opinions of others, while holding back on his own views, was the hallmark of his being.

Hesitating to take on challenges was a familiar pattern, as was the likelihood of yielding to mediocracy, the easy way out. Tilting the balance away from “No you can’t” to “Yes, I can … and I will” was the major factor in the author’s life towards holding leadership positions in every sphere of his adult public life, from committee secretary early in his professional career to becoming Cape Town’s first citizen. From the mayoralty to ministry, standing up for justice and the dignity of life and being able to make a difference was the path he chose; mediocracy simply was not good enough.

Paula and Dina

Are you sad? Or mad? Or bad? Perhaps frustrated? Pissed at the world? Wondering about God? The cosmos? What do you wish for? What would make you happy?

Things can be learned. Infinity can be thought about, your life can change, for the better, soon.

Want to lose some weight? Want to stop smoking? Have a better sex life?

You need an overhaul. We can make that happen. Give yourself 90 days to explore a better you.

Peeling the Onion: From Matthew Shepard's Murder to "Don't Say Gay"

This book weaves glimpses of some of the author’s experiences; intertwined with the experiences of friends, family and acquaintances; in his half-century journey to understand the impact of oppression and trauma on his life and the country. The author explores how the murder of his young friend Matthew Shepard, and being briefly thrust into the national spotlight, affected the direction and focus of that journey. The book chronicles his movement from the deafening silence of growing up in the “don’t ask don’t tell” environment of Wyoming; through that horrific murder; and into decades of painstakingly slow, positive, change toward social justice; accompanied by a growing negative backlash culminating in “don’t say gay” and other hate-based legislation.

Plantation Negroes of the 21st Century

Has the Black race been ostracized into a purgatory world where it is neither free nor enslaved and where the landscape looks remarkably like the Old Plantation?

Dr. Claud Anderson, former Assistant Secretary of Commerce, says: "Black folks in proportional comparative terms are regressing. Blacks have been socially engineered into the lowest levels of life... and are now more hated than at any time in the last 50 years."

Dr. Anderson does not come right out and say that Blacks are still stationed near the Old Plantation, but he comes awfully close...

The road that has led the Black race to this perilous moment in time leads us back to a host of villains. The White ones we all know about, the Black ones, Negroes, who prey on their fellow Black sufferers, we conveniently choose to forget about-those House Negroes, that Malcolm X warned us about?

This book will name and shame... the Plantation Negroes of the 21^st Century.

Plights and Perils of Persevering Pioneers

I have been blessed with a long life. A jack-of-all-trades and master of some. From tinker to truck driver, life is the best on-the-job training program ever devised. Life presents a new learning experience with each sunrise. We must make the most of each one. As you near the end of life's road being tired, worn out, and weary, you still try to find purpose. You look for any light at the end of the tunnel; not seeing one, you still move on. Human nature pulls, pushes, and prods us forward. Throwing in the towel is not an option. My life of trials and tribulations has been 55 plus years in the making, and it only seemed to strengthen me. My purpose in life has to be honoring the memory of my ancestors, who gave so much to prepare the way for me. May they all rest in peace, knowing they ran their race well.

Poems: Story from My Heart

Peace, peace, peace

Where are you?

I have been looking all over for you

Wherever you are

Please come on out

Please dwell in us

As our family

From my childhood, yearning for peace and the brotherhood of mankind has been in my heart.

Korea was ruled by Japan from 1910 to 1945. During WWII, my father, a Korean Christian minister, was taken to prison because he refused to walk up to the Shinto temple and bow down to the picture of their emperor. My brother, my best friend, volunteered to join the Japanese army in the hope of having his father released from prison. He left home as a vibrant 15-year-old boy and returned home as a worn-out, injured 18 old man. He died a year later. Then during the Korean War, my father was taken away by the North Korean communists. He never returned. Also during the Korean War, I let my dog, my best friend, go because Mother said we did not even have enough food left for people. Through her travails, my mother led us onward with love and grace.

Now in my twilight years, I, a professor emeritus of electrical engineering, who once was an authority in his field, have decided to share what is in my heart. Not only on topics related to war and peace but also other life experiences through the medium of poetry.

Policy Framing Issues in the World of COVID-19

This book is a somewhat unusual depiction of a difficult policy issue. It transcends almost all boundaries because of its constant change and its movement across many different participants.

It was found attached to a range of policy topics, methodologies and approaches. Some of these were familiar while others seemed new. Interest in this topic was exhibited across the globe and did not appear to be delivered along with a narrow political agenda.

While researchers tended to re-examine classic public policy literatures (such as those dealing with implementation, federalism and budgeting) they did so by raising unusual issues. But this was not typical since analysts are likely to emphasize similarities rather than differences in settings.

Politics, Police and Other Earthling Antics