Magic Apples: Reflections to Mull

MAGIC APPLES is a daily reader with 366 reflections to mull. The topics are broad in scope with a liberal approach. Drawn from the author's experience as a teacher, parent, coach, musician and big kid, the reflections are an eclectic mix of food for thought.

Every 6th day is a silly story intended to produce those healing endorphins we all need to keep our equilibrium. There are plenty of opportunities to laugh, cry and to agree or disagree.

If you need to escape from autopilot and enhance your life-long learning skills, MAGIC APPLES should give you lots to chew on. If you desire a modern approach to traditional tales, new ways to love your fellowtravelers and the chance to laugh at the human condition, a magic apple each day will be to your delight.

Lee Steels is a retired teacher who taught mainly chemistry and physics, but also biology, mathematics, history and music. One of his favorite courses was a senior course designed for non-science majors. This science, technology and society course became very popular, attracting large numbers of students who were able to explore the interrelationships of science, technology and the environment in their daily living. Lee also worked as science consultant for the Peel District Board, where he wrote science curricula and presented science and environmental workshops. His great love (other than his partner Celia and two sons, Anthony and Craig) is music. He sang many of the roles in Gilbert and Sullivan's operettas and currently sings in several choirs. A vast collection of opera, choral music, symphonies, concertos, chamber music, jazz, pop, musicals, rock and country & western lines multitudinous shelves throughout the Steels house and fifth wheel. Celia thanks the inventor of iPods and headphones for saving her from being as crazy with music as Lee obviously is. Lee's second passion is a love of sports. A self-confessed motor-moron, Lee has nevertheless coached football, basketball and baseball and continues to follow all the major-league teams on television. He has recently discovered golf but as yet remains hugely challenged by this game. In addition, Lee can often be found poring over new books on religion. Works that deal with different approaches to faith make for fascinating reads; recent books by Karen Armstrong, Marcus Borg, Gary Wills and Harvey Cox have been mulled with enthusiasm. These scholarly authors point to fundamental changes we must make in order to become more tolerant and compassionate. Lee believes that anyone who is willing to mull can make the changes necessary to live a life of bliss and share the goodness with others. It's all a matter of attitude and a willingness to expand horizons and be