Wondrous Stories

“I believe that what we become depends on what our fathers teach us at odd moments, when they aren't trying to teach us. We are formed by little scraps of wisdom.” ― Umberto Eco

I want to grow as old as my father has and many years beyond it. Today my Dad celebrates another birthday, well into his eighties and with stories to we each have to tell. And many stories I am sure he could tell as well.

All were adventures as I look back now, leading me to where I am today.

A story I wrote about in one of my books titled Changed Lives gives a glimpse into one such adventurous story.

"Take old oak doors for instance, the old heavy ones that you rarely find these days. There can be many uses for these doors if you put your mind to good use. These doors are also quite heavy for a young boy that didn’t have the physique of a football player.

We would find these doors at the old trash dumping location near our hometown. This dump was a ravine, back again during those times before much stricter regulations. That which we could not burn was taken to this dump.

Most times we returned with more then we took. This is the ‘new stuff’ I referred to earlier. My father had a great ‘eye’ for things that could be potentially used on our farm. He could spot an old oak door many yards away. One such day he found one laying about half way down the ravine. All we had to do was climb down, attach a rope and pull it back up.

I was the available son and was instructed to ensure that I tied up to it securely. So down I went, doing as I was told, never wanting to disappoint. All the while I kept wondering if the whole trash pile would give way and slide further down the ravine. God was watching over me I am sure; no scrapes, no bruises and another prized oak door was ours."

My Dad always took care of us, did a great job at it in fact and I am the person I am today because of him. To that I thank him for being Dad. Pretty simple idea but hard to execute on. But he has done it well as one can.

Happy birthday Dad and I look forward to more wondrous stories.



Stay inspired my friends!

Blog Birthday Hijack

“You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.” ― Dr. Seuss

Hi All,

Laura Primm here.

I hacked my husband’s blog today because it is his birthday and wanted to wish him a Happy Birthday. I also wanted to tell everyone a little story about Joe and his Primm's Attitude Blog that you are reading.

Ten years ago, back in August of 2005, my husband and I had been married for a few years and I was still a little broken at the time. Joe was certainly aware and loved me still. I was healing but still healing from life’s many bumps in the road I had experienced (ouch ouch ouch).

Joe would often say back in those days “You are just going to have to trust me” and “Laura, you are over thinking it." Two of my biggest issues were “Trust” and “Self Esteem.” He was patience, always loving and confident.

Loving persuasion you might say.

Over the years I have healed. In the right environment, all of us are continually healing whether physical, mental or spiritually. That is the way God made us. He does not want us to stay broken. He wants us to grow and have the capacity to be in His presence and live there.

He graciously gave me a man whom I needed then and do today as well.

Now about to Joe's blog. He never told me this and he would probably deny it, but I believe Joe created it, this blog we are all reading, just for me. He could never sit down, have a little 'pow-wow' with me and feed me all of the encouraging words he offers consistently day after day and year after year verbally. He would have to become my personal counselor or something.

So I do believe he created this Blog for me.

I read his encouraging articles and hear his encouraging words over and over and over. What a gift. What a special gift. And whether he created this blog just for me (which I like to think he did) or he created it for all. It is meant for all of us who need or want to hear encouragement each day.

Either way….I want to say on your birthday THANK YOU for the gift Joe. I guess I owe you.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – I LOVE YOU

And as he always says, stay inspired my friends!

Brave New World

"O wonder! How many goodly creatures are there here! How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world! That has such people in it!" ~ Miranda's speech in Shakespeare's The Tempest, Act V, Scene I:[2]

So it goes, another birthday has passed for me and this one was pretty darn good to say the least. It was a momentous birthday; the kind that marks a milestone and places you into another category or stage of life. I am not one for marking the passing of my birthday, but this one was different.

While growing old means physical changes and marks the passage of time, my attitude remains young at heart. My goal is not to run with the young but to stay in tune with them as much as possible. To be around long enough to experience all of the great changes in this world that take place.

I look back to the late 1980s when my grandmother turned ninety. Grandma Josephine (no, I was not named after her), had seen so much in her lifetime. Think of the developments in cars, phones, computers and television that she experienced in those years. Grandma was always amazed and interested in those things.

During her birthday party celebrating those wonderful ninety years, we had a video camera to record the event. I will now date myself a bit, but this was the larger VCR tape cameras. It was not the 8mm camcorder or tiny iPhone cameras we have today. Grandma was amazed at the ability to record and see yourself right then and there.

Oh what a brave new world it was back then.

Even in my lifetime,

the Atari Pong game to the new DSi handheld game systems,
Polaroid cameras to smartphone cameras,
or the IBM 5100 to the iPad.

Each of these are but a tiny fraction of the huge advances made in my lifetime so far.

For my own birthdays along with other great gifts and cards, I have received an iPad. So am I really that cool and hip to get something like that? I found myself looking at that iPad like my grandmother looked at that VCR tape camera.

Oh what a brave new world it is now.

There will be huge changes in our world as time progresses. I will continue to see changes occur and I will work to keep youthful excitement inside of me. Your own attitude about life and age exists within your heart while the body grows old. Excitement of life can keep you moving forward towards new and greater things if you let it.

Oh what a brave new world it will continue to be.

Stay inspired my friends.

How Many Birthdays Do I Get

"Keep your eyes open to your mercies. The man who forgets to be thankful has fallen asleep in life." -Robert Louis Stevenson

An Op-Ed article appeared in the Des Moines Sunday Register, back on February 2, 2003. I happened upon it while writing an article to celebrate my wife's birthday. It tells the story of a young boy having lost his parents in the civil war within Sierra Leone.

Gibrila (jeh bril’ a) was orphaned at age 2 and adopted by a man and his wife from Des Moines, Iowa. It is a touching story that brings to mind the goodness of people but also the wide expanse that exists between what we have versus what others do not. The story explains the catch phrase in the title of this article, but it makes me wonder, "how many birthdays do I get to have" in life?

As we live our lives from day-to-day here in the United States and many developed countries around the world, we forget how good we actually have things. I will certainly agree that there are large disparities in income levels and many people here in the U.S.A. do not have things so great. But for the most part, things are pretty decent here. The availability of a roof over our heads, something to eat once or twice a day and clothing to cover our backs is plentiful.

We have nice streets, running water, gas stations filled with thousands of items to purchase abound on nearly every street corner. Huge malls are filled to the brim with items of every kind that you might want to purchase. Fast food and other dining establishments serving large plates of food abound. Multiple choices of colors, textures, tastes, brands and sizes can be almost mind-boggling.

Now go to a developing or under-developed country. Travel where choice is limited, where availability of things we take for granted are nearly non-existent. Find clean drinking water, a place to purchase new shoes or a safe place to lay your head down at night. You will quickly find how much we have to choose from right here where we live. You will quickly find that we have it pretty good right here where we live.

When a young boy from Sierra Leone asks "how many birthdays do I get", maybe it is time we ask that of ourselves. Maybe we should be more thankful for what we have. Maybe, just maybe, we should simply be thankful.

Stay inspired my friends and be thankful.

The Birthday

"The best way to remember your wife's birthday is to forget it once." -E Joseph Cossman

Forgive me if I indulge a bit on the personal side today. Today is a special day and I can honestly say that I have never forgotten my wife's birthday. To prove it, today is my wife Laura's birthday and I have written a birthday message for her.

But my words can not say enough, so I will simply say "Happy birthday my dear" and tell you that I want for us to celebrate many, many more of these together.

In ending, it always ends up to one thing, and that is to say I love you.

Let's celebrate this again, same time, next year!

Happy Birthday Mom

"Oh happy day!" -Edwin Hawkins Singers

Happy Birthday Mom - you would have been 82 years old today in the natural. But please be assured you are 82 years old in my heart today. Love Joe

Dan's Big Wheel Birthday

"The Edge... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over." -Hunter S. Thompson

Just a Happy Birthday shout out to my son Dan Primm. We knew in 1985 that things would never be the same. You have brought great adventure, joy and love into all of our lives.

Be safe, be joyful and be loving on this wonderful day.

And just as a reminder....

Memories and Birthdays

"Love is missing someone whenever you're apart, but some how feeling warm inside because you're close in heart." -Anonymous

Today marks what would have been my brother's 58th birthday...that is if my math is correct. But the age doesn't matter now because he is ageless in time now having passed away just over a year ago.

It really doesn't mean a lot to those that didn't know my brother. It really only matters to those that did. But what matters to everyone is that we remember those we love and lost.

The stories we have of lost loved ones should be passed down through the generations. The fun stories, the loving stories and the serious ones. We need to explain and let the younger generations know who they were. A link to the past provides understanding of where we are going today.

My brother had a lot of stories in life. Some of those stories are heart breaking and hard ones to tell. But many more of those stories show a man redeemed and full of greatness.

The same stories are inside each one of us. They are stories and memories to be passed down to our children, grand children and more. Even in death the memory of 'us' can serve as guideposts for those still living their natural lives.

So today, March 15, is a day in which I can still say, "Happy Birthday John" and many more. Love you, miss you and most of all, thanks for ALL of the memories.

Big Wheel Birthday

"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things." -Robert Brault

This past weekend a birthday was celebrated for my son Dan. No longer a young boy but a man in the second half of his twenties. A man that changed around his life and as with all of my boys is making a difference in the lives of other people today.

One thing that always stands out in my mind and his grand father's is an incident way back in 1988. The incident still plays in my mind like it were yesterday. It starts with the thought that serious injury was about to take place. It ends in giggling and laughter.

We were in the process of moving temporarily into a new apartment building until we could find a house to buy. The apartment came with a garage but since it was newly constructed, the interior garage walls were not yet completed. Only the bare wooden studs served as walls, but we unloaded our items from the large rental truck.

My father helped in the move and we placed the long metal ramp such that we could bring items down directly into the new garage. But the truck was at an angle so that others could get around us in the parking lot.

By this time, Dan was old enough to ride those Big Wheel tricycles. It was his favorite thing and somehow we had lost track of Dan as he made his way up into the rental truck. My father and I were down in the garage moving items when we happened to look up. Dan had found his Big Wheel and was zooming through the truck and down onto the ramp.

It happened so fast that neither of us could catch him as he came down the ramp and towards the stud wall. What raced through my mind in those fleeting seconds were the injuries that were sure to occur. He would either come off the side of the ramp and crack open his skull, or slam right into the wooden studs, breaking an arm or even worse.

Down he came though and seeing what was about to happen, he made a sharp left turn and rolled off the Big Wheel right between two wooden studs. He received not a single scratch from the incident. My first instinct was to admonish him, but he came up giggling.

As I look back, that was a sign that he was going to do just fine in life. So it is these many years later, he is doing just fine. So HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my son and keep on rockin' it with the Big Wheel.

He Is My Son

"It takes a long time to grow young." -Pablo Picasso

I remember a boy sitting in a laundry basket, smiling from ear to ear.
He may have been one year old or two, but this I know, he is my son.

He was proud of his trick, having gotten into the basket to surprise Dad.
So proud of him and everything since, for he is my son.

Years flow by like cool mountain streams, winter's store of snow racing towards the sea.
Each drink of water quenches the soul, for he is my son.

As time runs on and age consumes, rocks will wear and new flowers bloom.
But forever it remains, for he is my son.

Happy Birthday my son.

Where You Going

This week, still sharing some older posts. In keeping with OLDER posts and that it just so happens to be my brother Jim's birthday today, here is one from September 28, 2010 titled "Light of Life".

Happy Birthday Jim!

“And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.” ~Abraham Lincoln

All of life is actually pretty grand when you think about it. An amazing biological wonder is what happens from conception to death. Sometimes it is very difficult to comprehend the immensity of what must happen for life to exist.

And then I turn to my beliefs and know that anything is possible. The big bang theory, Adam and Eve, evolution, and how they get the peanut butter inside the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup; life gives us enormous possibility. Darkness can turn into light with the blink of an eye. That light becomes you and shines from within you as well.

So as we celebrate my brother Jim's birthday today, think about how amazing your own life is. Then consider all of the possibility life has to offer you. Enjoy life, live life to your greatest potential and allow the light of your life to shine.

Happy Birthday Jim.

Runnin Down A Dream

"Sometimes you want to give up the guitar, you'll hate the guitar. But if you stick with it, you're gonna be rewarded." -Jimi Hendrix

Another birthday and another year gone by; my son is celebrating his today. Steve has taken on another year and taken on the challenges that all of us face. But his determination and talent will take him places that only his dreams understand at this time.

Steve has a musical talent with the guitar that he is a wonder to behold; a song in his heart and a voice to pleasure the ear. His talent is not noticed only by a father, but by many others. The tough part is following your talent when it can be frustrating and filled with the unknown.

So don't let things get in the way, keep your focus and reach out for those dreams. Whether it be in your 20s, 40s or 80s; time is never an obstacle. All you have to do is move towards the dream, the vision, the goal.

Happy Birthday son and reach for your guitar....reach for your dreams. Here is a little something different then the usual birthday song. Keep runnin' on your dreams and going wherever it leads.



It can happen, it all starts with believing in yourself, a bit of a crazy thought and keeping happy along the way. Love you. -Dad

Does Opportunity Knock

"I held a moment in my hand, brilliant as a star, fragile as a flower, a tiny sliver of one hour. I dripped it carelessly, Ah! I didn't know, I held opportunity." -Hazel Lee

Well it happened to me. An opportunity came along and I missed it. Strange as it seems since I write about this stuff all of the time. You may not consider it a big deal but I do. My missed opportunity was to wish my sister a happy birthday three days ago.

Opportunity doesn't always come along as a Microsoft Outlook calendar reminder. That distinctive alert sound that is supposed to wake you from your slumber and get back to work.

Opportunity rarely comes knocking on your door like a Western Union Telegram. Even Western Union doesn't do that anymore.

Sometimes opportunity comes in the form of a passing white cloud above. You stop to take in the beauty of it against a blue sky. Another person stops to see what you are admiring, a conversation ensues and connection takes place.

Other times you step beyond doing what everyone else does at work. You take a chance taking on what others will not. A career blossoms where others thought barren ground existed.

Sometimes we miss the initial opportunity as it stood and waved a big sign. We turn the corner after seeing it down a side street we never take. That itch comes up in the back of our head; a little voice saying, "hey, wait a minute." At this point we can continue driving or turn around and go another direction.

You see it means you have to be aware and looking for opportunity. It means placing yourself in a position to cross paths with opportunity. It means being engaged in the world around you.

We may never get another television show called "Opportunity Knocks", but we can call our sister and send a belated birthday card. So Happy Birthday Pam! And don't forget to send in your vote for the Zaporozhian Cossacks, the dancers; not the people from the 'land beyond the rapids.’

Days To Remember

"Love... it surrounds every being and extends slowly to embrace all that shall be." -Khalil Gibran

It was only supposed to be dinner for four and a movie. There was to be nothing more than good conversation and escape from the the week's work. But then I entered the room and you smiled.

Happy Birthday Laura, my friend, my love, my life.

"A man's country is not a certain area of land, of mountains, rivers, and woods, but it is a principle and patriotism is loyalty to that principle." -George William Curtis

I would also like to say thank you to my son Dan for his continued service to our country. Thank you to him and the millions of others that have and continue to serve so bravely and boldly. I also say thank you to those that are taking those first steps to serve. Each of you are proud examples of a great and loving nation.

This great country was built by great people. It continues to be a great country despite the ups and downs we endure. And it is great people such as yourselves that protect and defend it so well. Thank you and I wish only continued strength and safety in your daily mission.

Day in the life of rocks

"We learn geology the morning after the earthquake" -Ralph Waldo Emerson



This past week one of my son's had a birthday. Jon to be precise but in the grand scheme of things, he is somewhere in the middle of Wyoming. He is likely outside the reach of cell phone towers, close enough to a town with a small diner.

But he is likely enjoying his time of research, of being able to put his learned degree in geology to use. I would assume he is picking away at geological formations, figuring out just how this big planet was formed and how we can use its resources.

Yet his Gpa Bill could have taught him everything. The rocks my father collected on vacations are something of a family "thing". I am sad to say that my brother Jim will be the one to get them one day.

So Jon will have to collect his own on this birthday and for the years to come. That is if he actually collects them. My father did, I do and I'm guessing Jon will. And if not, I'm fine with that.

Happy Birthday Jon - happy rock climbing!

Light of Life

“And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.” ~Abraham Lincoln

All of life is actually pretty grand when you think about it. An amazing biological wonder is what happens from conception to death. Sometimes it is very difficult to comprehend the immensity of what must happen for life to exist.

And then I turn to my beliefs and know that anything is possible. The big bang theory, Adam and Eve, evolution, and how they get the peanut butter inside the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup; life gives us enormous possibility. Darkness can turn into light with the blink of an eye. That light becomes you and shines from within you as well.

So as we celebrate my brother Jim's birthday today, think about how amazing your own life is. Then consider all of the possibility life has to offer you. Enjoy life, live life to your greatest potential and allow the light of your life to shine.

Happy Birthday Jim.

Jon's Big Rock Birthday

"Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday To You, Happy Birthday Jon"

Okay, today is your birthday and you're out in Colorado doing some type of rock fetch for the University of Georgia Geology Department.  The quiz of the day then is; what kind of rock is shown above? Yes, another test, another quiz and another final that I'm sure you weren't expecting.

But its your birthday and I'll go easy on you...the answer is well hidden below.  Proud of you and the end of this four-year madness of school is getting close. Enjoy your birthday and don't let any big rocks fall on you...although the one above would look nice in the front yard!

Answer: Krishna's butter ball "balancing rock" in Mahabalipuram, India

Happy Birthday Dan

“It takes a long time to grow young.” ~Pablo Picasso

A very happy birthday to my son Dan.

Joe - Happy Birthday To You

So its your birthday? Last one in your twenties. The thirties become even better.



Happy Birthday to you!!

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Jim! You know, I never tire of this picture.


It is someone's birthday today. Do something nice, maybe sing a birthday song or wish them the best. Just spread a little cheer to those that deserve the attention.