Mike's Morsels | The blog of Mike Hall

Blessed

November 2, 2026

It was one of those moments when you are overwhelmed with the feeling of being blessed. It was a Saturday afternoon and I was raking leaves on the back lawn. Their colors—-yellow, red, and orange—-blended together perfectly. I marveled at the colors , and then I looked up and saw my two –year-old daughter’s face […]

Pretty darned awesome

November 2, 2026

A small town choir director nails a Coldplay classic. Tap arrow to discover.

What a team

November 1, 2026

Methinks there’s a genre of music that comes from Oklahoma called Tulsa Soul or perhaps it’s just Southern Soul…but no matter. All I know is that Mr. J. J. Cale is a master at it and when he teams up with Eric Clapton, I challenge your toes to keep from tapping. Tap arrow to activate […]

Risky business

November 1, 2026

A very young cowboy had a chat with an old friend. He’s a skinny as a rail…active like a twelve year old…lucky to still be with us as a tennis coach. His name is brought up every week in my lessons with the footnote that he has more talent in his little finger than I […]

Petrified

November 1, 2026

Susan related a story after tennis class one day. She and her husband have a place near Kenosha Pass between Bailey and South Park, Colorado. A friend was taking her dogs for a walk when they startled a mother moose with calf ambling beyond the aspen trees. Moose are very protective and weigh around eleven […]

Revertia

October 24, 2026

Richard Swenson wrote a book three decades ago entitled Margin. He used a word that this very young cowboy had never heard before….revertia. It is a Spanish word that when Americanized, means to ‘go back’ and in Swenson’s usage …to revert back to habits of old. Tennis professionals see it frequently when a player takes […]

Carly Cat

October 14, 2026

A not so young cowboy learned of the passing of three former teammates last year. My, oh my, could they play! Their exit from this life prompted a thought. What would I, if my number was called, like to leave our daughter. Not having a million dollars or a condo in Vail, perhaps something simpler […]

The cure

October 10, 2026

Ok…here ya go, the cure for what ails ya. Step 1. Pull the blinds Step 2. Take a deep inhibition loosening breath Step 3. Play They Call Me The Breeze by J.J. Cale Step 4. Allow a wry smile to form on your face Step 5 Let the smile grow and begin […]

Life is Good

October 9, 2026

The American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large fin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them. The Mexican replied, […]

An Education by Marvin Gaye

October 8, 2026

We were a pretty good collection of players with two brothers and a bunch of white guys whose genes required them to play paint by the numbers basketball. Warming up against Phoenix College, it was an eye opener as we readied ourselves to play against Mo Layton and his band of brothers. The Bears had […]

Love Forever

October 3, 2026

High up on our favourite hill Pockets full of dreams fulfilled Try to make the day stand still it makes me wonder If I tell you half enough How I’m thankful for your love Whatever lies in store for us please just remember That if you go before me I could plant a million […]

Definitely Uncommon

September 26, 2026

Yesterday, whilst stalking trout on The South Platte River, a curious thing happened. I was two miles below the hamlet of Deckers and heading from the stream to the car for lunch when something caught my eye in the bushes. At first, it appeared to be an amadou cloth patch that anglers use to dry […]

If I Could

September 24, 2026

I’d like to look into your eyes and tell you that this nightmare will vanish in the morning or take you on an ocean cruise……in hopes that cancer couldn’t follow If I could, I would take you to the happy, carefree places of your youth…. to the hideouts where sunshine and laughter ruled the day […]

This is Our God

August 31, 2026

This is a WOWSER song for Dominic in New Zealand. You Rock Dom!

Magic

October 23, 2023

Most of us, if we try, can remember the first time we were smitten by that intoxicating yellow ball and the physical chess match that Coach Randy Ross calls…’the greatest game ever invented.’ It looks like little Peter has discovered it today.

Genius

June 20, 2023

It was unlike any dream in my first seventy three years of life. The only word that comes close to describe it is ‘luminous’. There were reassuring voices of people in the past…ones no longer here but still somehow remaining in touch. It was clear that they live now in a remarkable place. Delete that…an […]

The Key

November 2, 2026

Dan Gottlieb was paralyzed thirty years ago in a traumatic car accident. He is a respected family therapist, author, and radio show host. His most recent book is entitled The Wisdom We’re Born With. In the book, he writes about a chemical in the brain called serotonin. It is the ingredient that helps put the […]

Jasper

November 1, 2026

We heard that Jasper was the pick of the litter and that he had a few peculiarities. Many Labradoodles, we understand, walk to the beat of their own drummer. Let’s take his eating style for starters. We were instructed to take a third of a cup and poor it into a plastic bottle. Step two […]

Morsels, What’s Happening

Gracefull Cafe

November 1, 2026

Sally and a very young cowboy took advantage of an offer from Ascent Flyfishing owner Peter Stitcher. They said there’s a really neat cafe in Littleton called The GraceFull Cafe and they had a volunteer day. We volunteered and were so impressed by the owners, their team, the concept…and oh yes, the food. Troy and […]

Halloween

November 1, 2026

It was a terrific Halloween as we had more kids than in the last five years. Groups of 6-8 middle schoolers and plenty of tiny tots kept our doorbell ringing. One ambitious eight year old had a bag taller than he was in hopes of collecting treats to last till next year. The favorite costume […]

Delicious

October 30, 2026

A thank you to Jim who unknowingly has rekindled a young cowboy ‘s desire to hit the hardwood. Oh no, there’s no want to run up and down the court in games best left to kids. That part of the game packed up and vanished forty-five years ago. These days, there’s been just the sweet […]

You just never know

October 30, 2026

Katy Volynets was facing a huge hurdle today in her singles match in Austin. The American was trailing 0-5 in the third set. She remained committed, competed hard for every point, and won the next three games. Katie certainly captured her opponent’s attention when she won the next two games to even the score at […]

Quote of The Day

Life long learning

October 30, 2026

“You are either green and growing or ripe and rotting.” Frosty Westering

Never enough

October 29, 2026

We could say it a million times Sing till our lungs might burst Shout from the mountain tops Write until our fingers bleed But it wouldn’t be enough We could tell everyone we meet Write letters to the editor Hold signs all day on the street Carve it in every tree in the forest […]

Goodness gracious

October 28, 2026

A classic Christian song by someone you’ve never heard of. I suggest you close your eyes and let the words wash over you. Just click on arrow and scroll.

Those were the days

October 27, 2026

It was a beautiful June morning at Bridge Crossing on The South Platte River. As I left the water near noon, two women anglers were seated on a bench having lunch. We struck up a conversation and one woman said that twenty years ago, in the spot where I just failed to net a fish, […]