By Michael Willard Seeing the revolving door at 10 Downing Street these days reminds me of the time I darkened that door. I was invited to meet with the Prime Minister, and I swiped a matchbook with the famous address from the center of his table. It was in a…

By Michael Willard “He’s a walking contradiction, partly truth and partly fiction, taking every wrong direction on his lonely way back home,” The Pilgrim, Kris Kristofferson. I’m the dreamer, the equivalent on occasion — figuratively — of one toke over the line. …

By Michael Willard As a guitarist, I will never be a threat to the Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards, but, I’m a couple of years younger than Keith and have a better haircut. As to painting, I’ve ripped off Van Gogh and Matisse in more than 300 canvases, and the legacy…

By Michael Willard Crises represent living organisms of tremendous pain as well as windows of opportunity for personal and business rebirth. They are often cloaked in mystery, revealing themselves at the most inopportune times.They know no season — only reason. The sun and sea are welcome hosts, though I have…

Fame By Michael Willard I will never be famous. I don’t do famous stuff. Once I planned to walk around the world. That would surely qualify. I studied climate data and geography for months. I met with a Russian official, Vadim Kuznetsov, in Moscow on traversing a route along the…

By Michael Willard I was born to the right of I- 75, miles from where Jimmy Carter was raised on the left side way back before there was a gray ribbon through the heart of Georgia arrowing to Atlanta and beyond. Normally, we wouldn’t have that much in common. …

Michael Willard It was the early 70s when Ramblin’ Jack invited me into the trailer parked outside the field house at Kansas State to hoist a few beers with him and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. The rumor was Joan Baez was going to show, but she never did. I…

By J. Michael Willard I am doomed and damned to reflect on birthdays. The value of a vertical existence becomes more compelling, even necessary for us who have piled on responsibilities like a chocolate layer cake. But you want more — adventure, peace, achievement, Springsteen’s glory days — and all…

By J. Michael Willard Russia’s dictator Putin has ballyhooed a promised victory over Ukraine by May 9, which honors the traditional day set aside where many European countries celebrate World War II liberation. Hold your horses Vladimir. You will have egg on your face. I am reminded of Prince Vasily…