writing – mikesteinharter.com

Volunteer

I am retired from corporate life now. I missed it for a while – the rush of being busy, the feeling that I was doing things that were important (were they really?) and working with people I respected and enjoyed. Now I am doing exclusively volunteer work. I am on several non-profit boards and IContinue reading “Volunteer”

I like my country

I live in the USA and I like it. I like many things about it – it’s vast and diverse landscape for example. The ocean in Maine and mountains in Colorado are wonderful. I like some of our history. some of it. I also like many other countries. I really like the UK, where weContinue reading “I like my country”

The Best Dog in the World

I picked up this book recently and admit I’ve only just started it, but it already speaks to me. I find myself meandering through all the dogs who have shaped my life. I love my kids a lot but the dogs I’ve loved a lot too, and when it comes to unconditional love there’s nothingContinue reading “The Best Dog in the World”

Why I prefer non-fiction

The short answer is: because I learn something. I read novels, and I enjoy them; mostly they are either escapist (Baldacci, Michael Connolly) or moving, thought-provoking and admirable (Theo of Golden, Julian Barnes, Fredrik Backman, Dickens). I am usually reading at least two books, one of which is fiction and the other is non-fiction. I’mContinue reading “Why I prefer non-fiction”

All the Presidents (Are) Men

I realize that it’s obvious – all of the US Presidents have been men, and all but one have been white men. (tall white men.) I’m not sure that’s served us well. I think back on the Presidents who have been in office that I can recall having an opinion about. Nixon was clearly aContinue reading “All the Presidents (Are) Men”

Surrey

We said goodby to Surrey on February 3, 2026. She had been with us – as my son Will’s dog – since 2/11/12. She was a little over 14 years old. It has taken me several weeks to get up the courage to write this post. We have had many pets over the years. IContinue reading “Surrey”

Are we a heartless nation?

I have never thought so. I was brought up to believe that we – the USA – are not only the most powerful nation on earth, but also the one that takes care of the world. We spent billions in Africa, we ran to the defense of a multitude of peoples who we thought wereContinue reading “Are we a heartless nation?”

I’d like my parents back, please

Last year my kids gave me a couple of Christmas gifts that will last. My son gave me a book called Dad, I want to hear your story. It was filled with questions about my life and I spent months filling it in, as stories came to me. My daughter gave to my wife andContinue reading “I’d like my parents back, please”

The News

I have been a loyal subscriber to the NY Times for many years. When I lived in CT I got the NYTimes delivered to the house each morning. I would read it and the Wall St Journal every day on the way to work in NYC. The Times has always leaned left and the JournalContinue reading “The News”

Embarrassing

I’m reading a book called Quiet, by Susan Cain. It is a study of introverts and extroverts. Susan is an introvert. It’s a fascinating and thought-provoking book. In the current chapter she discusses how people react to being embarrassed. No surprise that introverts take it a lot harder than extroverts, who tend to shrug thingsContinue reading “Embarrassing”