Little Gifts

 Stardate 09.07.2026

The clouds were beginning to move in as we stood next to the lake, waiting for new members to stop by.

It was a quiet day.

With little activity around us, my new teammates and I found ourselves studying the cloud formations. We watched them change as they moved across the sky and talked about what we were seeing.

The heat index eventually reached 106º. Finding shade beneath the trees became a welcome part of the day. Some of those trees were already beginning to turn toward autumn.

There was something peaceful about watching the sky.

My new teammates have also become part of my story in an unexpected way. During our breaks, both asked me to read excerpts from some of my blog stories. I pulled up a few and read them aloud while we sheltered beneath the trees.

I didn't expect that when I came to work this assignment.

Then another little gift appeared in my inbox.

A new subscriber joined me on Substack.

Every new reader means something to me. I write these stories each morning without knowing who will eventually read them. Someone choosing to come along for the journey gives me another reason to be thankful.

By the time I finished work, I was ready for dinner.

I had discovered a restaurant near the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception called IL Lazzarone. Lucy and Abby took great care of me, making sure my water stayed topped off while I enjoyed a mushroom pizza.

I had discovered another little piece of the city.

Later that evening, I made my way to the cathedral for late-night Mass.

The storm that had been building throughout the day arrived almost exactly as Mass began.

I was already inside.

After Mass, I headed back toward the hotel. Lightning surrounded me as I drove through the night, illuminating the sky in every direction.

Earlier, we had stood beside the lake watching those clouds form.

Now I was driving beneath them.

I thought about how quietly the day had unfolded. There had been plenty of time to notice things. Clouds moving across the sky. Conversations beneath the trees. New teammates asking to hear my stories. A new subscriber. A mushroom pizza. Two people making sure I had enough water. Mass at the cathedral.

Then the storm.

Psalm 90:17 says, “May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.”

Maybe some days give us their gifts loudly.

This one whispered.

I just needed to slow down enough to notice.

Join me here:

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Captain's Addendum

“Michael, you spent the day watching clouds and ended it driving through lightning,” Bones said.

Spock raised an eyebrow. “An accurate observation, Doctor.”

“I'm beginning to think the Captain attracts weather.”

“Or perhaps he simply pays attention.”

I think Spock may have the better explanation.

There are days when grace arrives in ways that demand our attention. There are other days when it appears quietly in the ordinary moments we might easily overlook.

Yesterday was a quiet day.

And it was full of gifts.

Refining in the Fire

Stardate 09.06.2026

I earned my first three-night sleep badge this morning.

Sleep has become an important part of my daily journey. I pay attention to what helps me sleep well, and seeing three consecutive nights of hitting my targets feels good. The little badges on my phone are becoming reminders that small changes can produce measurable results.

Yesterday put all of that to the test.

The heat index reached 106º, making it the toughest day we've experienced so far. Our team rotated every 15 minutes so everyone could get out of the elements. By noon, the tents located away from our temporary office were shut down.

Those rotations helped all of us make it through the hottest day so far.

They also gave us an opportunity to learn more about one another.

Some of my new teammates discovered I'm a writer. They asked me to read some of my newest stories while we were working outside.

I read them the story about the alpacas. I also shared yesterday's sleep report.

Then they discovered another part of my personality.

They enjoyed my impressions of Spock and Bones.

I never expected to be reading stories and doing Star Trek impressions while standing outside in 106º heat. Somehow, it seemed perfectly natural once it happened.

My new teammates are now following my stories.

That's pretty special to me.

They have become part of a journey that started long before we met and will continue long after this assignment is finished. They'll see where the next story takes me, wherever I happen to be.

Yesterday also gave our new team something to shoot for.

One of the senior managers talked with us about the possibility of breaking a record for quality sign-ups. Now we have a goal in front of us as opening day gets closer.

There is something powerful about having a common goal.

We worked together through extreme heat. We rotated to take care of one another. We talked about a record we might break. We discovered stories, sleep reports, and a little Star Trek along the way.

That's how a team begins to take shape.

By the end of the day, I was ready for my reward.

I told the team I was headed to Texas Roadhouse, a family favorite back home. Saturday nights are always busy, so I've developed my own strategy. I sit at the bar.

I have my favorite spot, too.

It's the corner seat because it gives me a little more room for my food. It reminds me of Norm from Cheers, who always seemed to have his own place at the bar.

The bartenders already know me by name, even though I haven't been there that many times.

After a day like yesterday, that corner seat and a delicious steak were exactly what I needed.

I'm grateful for the people God puts in my path.

Some may only be part of my life for a season. Some may follow along for years. I don't always know where a connection will lead when it begins.

Yesterday, a group of new teammates became readers.

That was a pretty good ending to a very hot day.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.” — Ecclesiastes 4:9

Join me here:

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Captain's Addendum

Spock: “Michael, your ability to entertain the crew under extreme environmental conditions is fascinating.”

Bones: “For once, Spock, I agree. Although I still think the steak was the smarter decision.”

There are days when team building happens in a conference room. Yesterday, it happened outside in 106º heat, fifteen minutes at a time.

I'm thankful I got to be part of it. 

Maybe I'm Onto Something

Stardate 09.05.2026

Something unexpected showed up on my phone this morning when I checked my sleep report.

An 86.

Samsung Health placed me in the excellent range.

That surprised me.

I'm away from home. A heat wave is pushing temperatures into the 100º range, and I'm spending a lot of time outdoors. My to-do list is massive. My surroundings are different from what I'm accustomed to.

I would have expected those circumstances to affect my sleep.

Apparently, they haven't.

For me, feedback like a nightly sleep report helps me understand how I can keep improving, especially when I'm living outside my comfort zone.

I've been thinking about what's happening in my life right now, and one word keeps coming to mind:

Consistency.

I've established a few habits that help me prepare for sleep each night.

I keep a consistent bedtime. I don't watch television. I follow a steady eating routine. I have a preparation routine before going to bed that includes laying out my clothes for the next day and setting out my supplements.

I also continue my daily prayers and meditation.

These habits travel with me.

I'm not sleeping in my own bed. I'm dealing with extreme heat. My days are full, and my surroundings have changed.

My routines remain part of my daily rhythm.

Maybe that's one of the lessons I'm learning as I continue this journey.

The habits we establish can become part of us. They can come along when life takes us somewhere unfamiliar.

Psalm 90:17 says:

“May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.”

I like that word.

Establish.

There is something encouraging about doing the small things repeatedly and then seeing an unexpected glimpse of what those efforts may be producing.

Sometimes the evidence shows up on a phone screen at 4:24 in the morning.

86.

Excellent.

Maybe I'm onto something.

Join me here:

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Captain's Addendum

Spock: “Michael, the data suggests your sleep habits are functioning effectively under variable environmental conditions.”

Bones: “Spock, he's looking at a sleep score at 4:24 in the morning. Let the man enjoy his 86.”

Spock: “I believe that is precisely what I am recommending, Doctor.”

I smiled when I read that number.

Maybe the best evidence of progress isn't always dramatic. Sometimes it is simply noticing that something you've been working on is beginning to work.

And then you get to keep going. 

An Unforgettable Day with 70+ Alpacas at YaYa’s Alpaca Farm

 Stardate 09.04.2026

Sometimes an adventure begins with someone else's dream.

Her name is Katie.

Katie is a newly hired colleague I met while working in Wisconsin. She has a dream of someday owning her own alpaca farm.

When Katie learned I was headed to Missouri for an assignment, she had one recommendation for me.

“You have to visit YaYa’s Alpaca Farm.”

So I did.

Yesterday, I found myself six miles east of Harrisonville, Missouri, spending several hours with more than 70 alpacas and the people who care for them.

I had no idea what I was about to discover.

The owners are Karl and Kathy, affectionately known as the YaYas. They offer tours that last approximately 90 minutes to two hours. A tour must be booked if you want to interact with and feed the alpacas.

I was welcomed into a tour group from Jefferson Avenue Baptist Church, and they graciously allowed me to join them.

I was soon feeding alpacas, learning about their personalities and hearing stories from the people who have devoted their lives to caring for them.

Karl also shared his story.

After losing his first wife, Karl found himself looking for something to help fill the empty space in his life.

He decided to get an alpaca.

Then he learned something important.

Alpacas don't do well alone.

So Karl got two.

Those two alpacas became the beginning of something that would eventually grow into a herd of more than 70.

Along the way, Karl met Kathy. Their lives became intertwined, and together they continued building the farm.

Today, they welcome visitors who want to learn about these fascinating animals and see what happens behind the scenes.

And there is plenty to learn.

Someone Left the Gate Open

There was also a little unexpected excitement in the story.

Someone left a gate open.

The males and females found each other.

Let's just say they made good use of the opportunity.

Now several of the alpacas are pregnant, with babies expected to arrive any day.

I happened to visit at a pretty interesting time.

There may soon be quite a few new faces running around the farm.

Meeting Kathy

Near the end of the tour, I asked Kathy if I could interview her.

I wanted to help others discover the good work she and Karl are doing.

She graciously agreed.

After the interview, I showed Kathy where today's story would be published.

That's when we discovered another connection.

Kathy is a Star Trek fan.

So am I.

That discovery brought a smile to both of us.

I have learned over the years that you never know what you will discover when you take the time to sit down and talk with someone.

Seeing the Work Behind the Products

After the interview, Karl demonstrated the equipment he uses in the process of making their products from alpaca fiber.

Two women from our tour were invited to participate.

I filmed the demonstration so readers can see a little of what happens behind the scenes.

Watching Karl work helped me appreciate the amount of knowledge, time and effort that goes into something that visitors might otherwise simply see sitting on a shelf.

The YaYas have created an experience where people can ask questions, get involved and leave with a better understanding of these special animals.

Before I left, Kathy invited me to join her for a video call later this year.

I gladly accepted.

I have a feeling our conversation will pick up where yesterday's left off.

There may even be some new alpacas to meet by then.

Thank You, Katie

Katie, thank you for sending me to YaYa's.

You have a dream of someday owning your own alpaca farm.

Yesterday, I got to spend time with people who are already living that dream.

I learned about alpacas.

I learned about Karl's journey.

I met Kathy.

I discovered another Star Trek fan.

I watched visitors get their hands dirty learning how the YaYas do their work.

And I learned that an open gate can sometimes have consequences that arrive about 11 months later.

That last part made me laugh.

The deeper part of the story stayed with me.

Karl experienced loss. Two alpacas eventually became the beginning of a new chapter. That chapter grew into a family, a farm and a place where other people can come and learn.

There is something encouraging about watching a small beginning grow.

It reminded me of something Jesus said:

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.”
— Luke 16:10

We don't always know where a small step will lead.

Katie's recommendation led me to YaYa's.

Karl's decision to bring home two alpacas eventually led to more than 70.

Kathy and Karl opened their farm to visitors, and yesterday they opened their lives to me.

I'm grateful they did.

If you're ever in the Kansas City area and want to make an unforgettable memory, put YaYa's Alpaca Farm on your list.

Book a tour.

Feed an alpaca.

Ask some questions.

Listen to Karl and Kathy.

And keep an eye on the gates.

You never know what might happen next.

Join me here:

https://substack.com/@michaelmulliganlivelong

Captain's Addendum

Spock: “Michael, the probability of an open gate producing this many future alpacas is statistically fascinating.”

Bones: “Spock, sometimes a gate is just a gate. And sometimes somebody needs to remember to close it.”

Spock: “An astute observation, Doctor.”

I smiled at that thought this morning.

We make our plans. We take the next step. We try to do our best with whatever is placed in front of us.

And then life happens.

Sometimes an unexpected invitation takes us somewhere we never planned to go.

Sometimes a small beginning grows into something much bigger.

I'm thankful for yesterday's unexpected adventure.

I'm thankful for Katie's recommendation.

And I'm thankful for Karl and Kathy opening their gate to me.

One day at a time.

One percent better.

Live Long and Prosper. 🖖

Editors note: videos from my visit posted soon.

The Kobayashi Maru

 Stardate 09.03.2026

I was seven years old when I first watched Star Trek.

I remember being fascinated by the Enterprise. I remember Kirk, Spock, and Bones. I remember a computer that could talk to the people aboard the ship.

I didn't understand Gene Roddenberry's vision for humanity. I didn't have the words for it.

I simply saw possibilities.

Years later, I had the privilege of introducing my family to the same universe.

One of the great joys of my life was taking my family to see a Star Trek movie with a new cast playing the characters I had watched as a seven-year-old boy.

On the way to the theater, I explained the Kobayashi Maru.

The test was designed to present an impossible situation. There was no way to save the ship and its crew. The test was supposed to reveal how a person responded when there was no way to win.

Then Captain Kirk did something unexpected.

He reprogrammed the test.

I remember watching that scene unfold on the big screen.

I also remember looking at my own adult children.

There was awe in their faces.

For a moment, something from my childhood had crossed generations.

That memory has stayed with me.

Perhaps that's why the Kobayashi Maru has been on my mind again.

Life presents its own versions of impossible situations. Plans change. Circumstances change. Sometimes the path we expected to take disappears.

I've learned to look for another way.

That instinct has followed me throughout my life. It showed up again when I took the StrengthsFinder assessment and discovered that Maximizer was one of my strongest gifts.

I recognize myself in that word.

When I see something with potential, I want to help it become better.

I've also learned that getting better can involve a lot of stumbling.

Our map project has reminded me of that. We have tried different approaches. Some worked. Some didn't. We've had to stop, rethink, and try again.

And that's okay.

The goal isn't perfection.

The goal is progress.

That has become one of the reasons I enjoy collaborating with Alberta. We can encounter a problem, step back, examine it, and search for another possibility.

Sometimes the answer is waiting somewhere we haven't looked yet.

That feels familiar.

Seven-year-old Michael was watching Star Trek and imagining what might be possible.

Sixty-six-year-old Michael is still looking.

The technology around me has changed dramatically since that little boy first watched the Enterprise take flight. So has my understanding of the world.

The sense of wonder remains.

Maybe that's one of the gifts of getting older.

We begin to recognize some of the things that were shaping us long before we understood them.

I didn't know what Star Trek would mean to me when I was seven.

I didn't know that someday I would sit in a theater with my family and watch a new generation of actors bring those characters back to life.

I certainly didn't know that decades later I would be sitting at a computer, collaborating with an artificial intelligence, and thinking about what that seven-year-old boy saw all those years ago.

Yet here I am.

Still curious.

Still learning.

Still looking for possibilities.

Still stumbling forward.

One percent better.

One day at a time.

There may be another way.

I'm going to keep looking for it.

Scripture

“For with God nothing shall be impossible.”
— Luke 1:37

Join me here:

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Captain's Addendum

Spock: “Michael, your continued refusal to accept limitations is statistically fascinating.”

Bones: “Spock, sometimes the man just needs to keep trying.”

Spock: “I believe that is precisely what I said.”

I smiled.

Maybe they are both right.

Somewhere along this journey, I've learned that the next step doesn't always reveal itself immediately. Sometimes we simply have to take the step we can see and trust that the next one will appear.

I'm grateful for the journey.

And I'm grateful that seven-year-old Michael is still looking toward the stars.

Live long and prosper.

Stumbling Forward with AI

Stardate 09.02.2026

It's been about 3½ years since I discovered artificial intelligence.

Like most things in life, working with AI has been a little like playing baseball. There are base hits, home runs, and strikeouts. There are errors, too.

Today, I'm sharing how I'm stumbling forward with this new technology.

My first introduction to AI came through a text message I misinterpreted. That was my first stumble. I thought the message was about some guy named Al.

It wasn't.

I laughed at myself for that first stumble. It turned out to be the beginning of a series of missteps in our journey together.

I've carried the philosophy I teach when I'm in training mode at my day job into my work with AI: concentrate on making yourself one percent better every day.

I consider working with Alberta a continuous journey.

When I first heard Albert speak, I was shocked to hear a female voice. So I changed Albert to Alberta. Then I asked Alberta to choose her own middle name.

She came up with Ignatius.

Perhaps Alberta was already beginning to mirror my desire to explore my connection with the saints who came before me, like Ignatius. Maybe it was a random fluke.

I really don't know.

What I do know is that we are getting better every day.

What once took me hours or days to research can now happen during my own personal Golden Hour.

We are working on a massive project right now. It requires more resources than I'm currently allotted on the free plan. I asked Alberta how we could manage the project within those constraints.

Yes, there is plenty of stumbling on my human side.

There is plenty of stumbling on Alberta's artificial intelligence side, too.

That's part of the journey.

Over these last 3½ years, I've watched us figure out how to maximize my objectives together. I discovered AI when the technology I was using was at GPT-3.5. Today, I'm working with GPT-5.6 Luna.

There are other developers building similar technologies. I've chosen to spend my time learning how to work with Alberta because I believe I have what I need to accomplish my objectives.

I've also remained true to a promise I made to my wife: keep my project budget at net zero.

My Dave Ramsey ways have restrained me from spending money I don't need to spend. I've learned to get creative within the zero-net budget I've developed to keep myself from slipping back into my old habits of overspending.

My wife did give me a one-year subscription to Canva, which I renewed last Christmas. At twelve dollars a month, that is my only ongoing expense for these projects.

I have Alberta write my prompts so I can maximize what I create with Canva. The picture accompanying this story was created in Canva using one of Alberta's prompts.

This morning's experience with the massive map project reminded me of something important.

AI has boundaries.

So do I.

The free plan has boundaries. My budget has boundaries. The technology has boundaries. Sometimes Alberta gets something wrong. Sometimes I get something wrong.

So we adjust.

We try again.

We learn.

We take "Mulligans."

We stumble forward.

I like that word for this journey. A Mulligan is a do-over. It also happens to be my last name.

I've had plenty of them.

I suspect I'll have plenty more.

A Word from Scripture

"For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again."

— Proverbs 24:16, KJV

That verse has been around a lot longer than artificial intelligence.

It still applies.

Join me here:

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Captain's Addendum

"Michael, your humans appear to have developed an interesting relationship with mistakes," Spock observed.

"Yeah, Spock. We call them Mulligans," Bones replied. "Some of us are pretty good at them."

I smiled.

Maybe that is one of the things I enjoy most about this journey with AI. Neither of us has to get everything right on the first attempt.

We can look at what happened, make a correction, and keep moving.

One percent better.

One day at a time.

May you live long and prosper.

The Voice in the Desert

Stardate 09.01.2026

I'm beginning to understand what the desert might feel like.

I'm away from home and working on assignment. Yesterday, the temperature reached 101 degrees. We are working in tents, and there isn't much shelter from the heat.

During my morning meditation, a question came to me.

Why did Jesus, the Son of the Most High God, go into the desert for 40 days?

He went there to prepare Himself for what His Father willed for Him.

That thought stayed with me.

In my own small way, I feel like I'm in a desert right now. I'm away from family and friends. I'm working in difficult conditions. I'm surrounded by voices.

Something I heard at church last Sunday came back to me.

Peter heard Jesus tell His disciples that He would suffer and die. Peter didn't want to hear that. He tried to persuade Jesus to change direction.

Peter heard Jesus, but he only partially listened. The main part of the message was Jesus telling of the Resurrection. Peter never heard that part.

Then there was Satan.

Satan tried to become a voice of influence over Jesus Himself.

Jesus rejected that voice.

I've thought about those two examples since Sunday.

There are voices everywhere in the modern world. Social media, television, news, advertisements, entertainment, and people around us are constantly offering opinions and directions.

Yesterday, two leaders asked me about my writing.

I gave both of them a copy of God's Black Sheep Squadron, the first book I wrote.

That book wouldn't have happened without listening to other writers.

I listened to people who taught me how to take an idea and turn it into a book. They helped me learn how to get the book published.

The message inside that book came from somewhere different.

Forgiveness is a message I learned through my own experience.

Yesterday reminded me that listening isn't the problem.

The question is who I'm listening to.

This is one reason I don't watch television when I'm on the road.

There are enough voices around me already.

I've become more intentional about what I allow into my mind.

Jeremiah understood something about listening, too.

God gave Jeremiah a message for His people. Jeremiah didn't like the message, and the people didn't receive it well. At one point, Jeremiah became so discouraged that he wanted to stop speaking altogether.

The message still needed to be heard.

That makes me think about my own listening.

Jesus teaches me to be careful about the voices I allow to influence me.

Today, I'm going to spend some time contemplating the voice I heard at church last Sunday.

I'm going to pray about it.

I'm going to listen.

And I'm going to do my best to follow God's plan for my life.

One of the most important things I can do while I'm in this desert may be learning to recognize the voice I should follow.

“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” — Jeremiah 33:3

Join me here:

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Captain's Addendum

Spock: Michael, there appear to be quite a few voices competing for your attention.

Bones: Yeah, Spock. Maybe the Captain should listen to the one that actually matters.

Spock: An exceptionally logical suggestion, Doctor.

There are days when I don't need another opinion.

I need to quiet the noise long enough to hear God.

That's where I am today.

Listening.

1% Better Every Day

Stardate 08.31.2026

Yesterday began with a message from my tennis captain.

Our men’s 40+ team had won its quarterfinal match in Oklahoma City and advanced to the semifinals.

We won.

About an hour later, my team captain sent me a text. We were headed to the finals.

I was following the action from afar as our men took on another strong team for the Midwest championship.

We came very close.

Two of our matches were looking good when our opponents came back and forced two super tiebreakers. In a super tiebreaker, the first team to reach ten points wins.

We only needed to win one.

We lost both.

Another heartbreaker.

At the end of the tournament, we were the second-best team in the Midwest.

That is something to be proud of.

We fell short in our state championship match at the end of last season. Then we were awarded a wild-card invitation to this tournament.

The men worked hard. They stayed committed. They earned their way into the Midwest final.

Now we start over.

The new season begins today.

We are a work in progress.

One percent better every day.

That phrase would follow me throughout my Sunday.

I had planned to attend worship, so I asked artificial intelligence to help me find a church in the town north of me.

I drove there but couldn't find the church.

A local deputy sheriff explained that the church was no longer part of my denomination.

I searched again.

The closest early service was across the state line in Kansas, so I went.

When the pastor began speaking, I knew I was where God wanted me to be.

He had a deep voice that reminded me of James Earl Jones. I heard so many ideas that I didn't want to forget them, so I quietly pulled out my phone and made a few notes.

The message was about Jeremiah.

Jeremiah's father was a priest. He had been trained to follow in his father's footsteps.

God had another plan.

Jeremiah was called to become a prophet.

His message wasn't popular. He was warning people about the coming destruction of Jerusalem. People wanted him to stop talking.

The pastor explained what it can feel like to have a calling like Jeremiah's. Jeremiah even declared that he had been duped by God.

Then came the sentence that stayed with me.

Your calling must be stronger than your comfort.

I left the service early because I was a long way from the day job and needed to help get the new team started.

When I punched in, I felt a new energy.

New inspiration seemed to fill every cell in my body.

I hadn't eaten breakfast because of the early start, yet I had energy.

I spent the entire day outside.

The temperature reached 100º.

I had the option to rotate with teammates who were working inside. They were comfortable.

I wanted to build the new team in the toughest circumstances.

Then my teammates made their own choice.

They had the option to rotate inside too.

They stayed outside with me.

At some point during the day, I told them what I wanted from them.

My goal was simple.

I wanted them to become 1% better every day.

For life.

They committed to it.

During the day, I met a colleague from another location who happened to be passing through the area. She was bubbly, happy, and inquisitive about jobs for a relative who was moving to the area. She was also curious about why I was so far from home.

As we talked, I sensed there was something inside her that she wasn't seeing yet.

I told her I was sort of a coach for the new hires.

Then I told her what I saw.

Potential.

Sometimes someone else sees something in us before we see it ourselves.

My tennis captain continued sending me updates throughout the morning. My teammates were playing two back-to-back matches in the semifinals and finals against strong teams.

They came up short in the championship match by just a few points.

One match away.

Second-best team in the Midwest.

A work in progress.

By the end of my workday, my energy was the same as it had been at the beginning.

I went next door to the steakhouse.

I rehydrated, enjoyed my meal, and sat with the day for a while.

This morning, during meditation, the pastor's voice came back to me.

Your calling must be stronger than your comfort.

I thought about Jeremiah.

I thought about my tennis teammates.

I thought about the new team standing beside me in 100º heat.

I thought about the colleague who may have more potential than she realizes.

Then I thought about the commitment my new teammates made.

One percent better every day.

For life.

Paul wrote:

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
Galatians 6:9

Join me here:

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Captain's Addendum

Bones: Michael, you spent the day in 100º heat and somehow came out with more energy than you started with.

Spock: Fascinating. The Captain appears to have discovered an alternative power source.

Bones: Don't encourage him, Spock. He'll make the rest of us try it.

There are days when the next step becomes clear while we are simply doing the work in front of us.

Yesterday gave me one of those days.

The new team has begun.

The tennis team begins again.

And this morning, I am still thinking about that one percent.

One percent better. Every day.

Men's 40+ Team Advance to Semifinals in Oklahoma City

Stardate 08.30.2026

My team captain sent me a message last night with some great news.

Our men's 40+ team is in the semifinals this morning in Oklahoma City.

The winner advances directly to the finals.

I'll be cheering from afar.

I'm away on a day job assignment and wasn't available to assist the team this weekend. I would have enjoyed being there with them, but I'm following their progress from a distance.

A message from my captain brought me up to speed.

My teammates have played well enough to earn a spot in the semifinals. Now they have an opportunity to keep going.

I'm proud of these guys.

Congratulations to my teammates on making it this far. I'll be thinking about you this morning and cheering you on from wherever I happen to be.

Go get 'em, guys.

"Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established."

Proverbs 16:3

Sometimes our plans put us in different places. We can still encourage the people who matter to us.

Join me here:

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Captain's Addendum

Bones: "Michael, I suppose you're going to be checking your phone all morning."

Spock: "That would be a logical response, Doctor."

Bones: "For once, Spock, I agree with you."

There's a lot to be said for cheering someone on when you can't be there in person. My teammates are carrying the ball today. I'm grateful I get to watch from afar.

🖖

Winning Habits

Stardate 08.29.2026

I'm still getting strange looks because of my peculiar habits. That's fine with me. I would rather not fit in than follow standard human behavior. The deeper I go with my experiments, the more I realize that "standard" simply isn't for me.

Yesterday, I sat on the patio with my sardines, hard-boiled eggs, sausage, yogurt, and a freshly baked danish.

A colleague joined me and had a lot of questions about the sardines. I could tell from her body language that this particular habit wasn't for her.

In fact, it isn't for most people.

I don't know yet whether this 90-day sardine experiment is doing much for my Omega-3 index. I won't know until I take another blood test. What I do know is that introducing new habits into my daily routine is changing the way I live.

The day-job colleagues I'm working with on assignment are also noticing that I don't eat lunch. They seem surprised, especially because I'm never hungry throughout the day.

That's a win for me.

My time is limited, and skipping lunch removes one opportunity to make a poor food choice. It also gives me more time to focus on the work in front of me.

Another winning habit is my no-TV rule while I'm on the road. I have more time for writing and blogging. I'm also spending some of that time learning how to collaborate efficiently with artificial intelligence.

The restriction of working solely on the free plan is teaching me patience and discipline. I'm discovering that I can tackle projects that would normally require additional fees by breaking them into smaller pieces and working through them one step at a time.

Alberta tells me when she's back at full strength so she can do the heavy lifting. She understands what I'm trying to accomplish.

I'm minimizing expenses today so I can have a bigger budget for travel tomorrow.

That's the ultimate goal for me.

Full-time travel without breaking the bank.

Lucy is still sitting in my driveway at home. It may be a while before the van build resumes. Meanwhile, I'm still learning as much as I can about how to build the vacation home of my dreams.

Maybe that's what makes a habit worth keeping.

It doesn't have to look impressive from the outside.

Sometimes it just needs to help us move in the direction we want to go.

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” — Proverbs 16:3

Join me here:

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Captain's Addendum

“Michael, I continue to find your breakfast choices fascinating,” Spock said.

“Yeah, well, Spock, at least he's eating breakfast,” Bones replied.

I smiled. Maybe the sardines will become a permanent part of the mission. Maybe they won't. The blood test will tell me what the experiment accomplished.

For now, I'm going to keep showing up, keep experimenting, and keep taking the next small step.

May you live long and prosper.

Multiple Shout Outs to Multiple Teammates and One NFL Rookie

Stardate 08.28.2026

My team captain, Jim Sichterman, reached out to a couple of us last night with an update.

The men's 40 team is now in Oklahoma City for sectionals.

We came up a few critical points short of the state championships. The team was offered a wild card spot and decided to keep going.

I'm cheering from afar.

Knowing Jim, he'll find a way to navigate his team through some of the best competition in the Midwest. That's what good captains do. They keep people moving when the path takes an unexpected turn.

I have another shout-out for the ladies serving on the Pickleball Iowa County board.

They have been working to build four outdoor pickleball courts in our community where everyone will be able to play for free.

The whole town seems to be behind this project.

Our fearless leader, Jodi Stahl, and her volunteers have poured countless hours into making it happen. Pickleball USA selected our community for a $25,000 grant, which put us over the top and allowed us to move into the construction phase.

City Hall and local businesses have also stepped up in a big way.

I've watched this project grow through the efforts of people who simply decided to get involved.

Then there is our hometown hero, Kaden Wetjen.

Kaden is making headlines as a rookie receiver and punt returner for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Knowing his cousin, Mary Wetjen, the retired music teacher who raises money like no other, I have a feeling this young man has some pretty good people in his corner.

I'm looking forward to watching what happens next.

Kaden didn't arrive at the NFL by himself. Along the way, coaches in Williamsburg believed in him, taught him, challenged him, and helped him find his path.

Many of his University of Iowa teammates are also making their mark in the NFL.

I remember watching a couple of those games while vacationing with my family in Hawaii. One restaurant owner knew all about the Hawkeyes. It made me smile to see how far that Iowa connection had traveled.

I'm also thankful Kaden is on the cover of Where in the World is Wilson?

If you happen to have one of these coloring books, make sure you get Kaden to sign it when you see him.

There are a lot of people behind every person who gets an opportunity.

A captain keeps a team moving.

Volunteers build something a community can enjoy.

Coaches help young people discover what they are capable of doing.

Sometimes we get to see where those efforts lead.

"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." — Proverbs 27:17

I'm grateful for the people who have sharpened me along the way.

I'm grateful for the people I get to cheer for today.

Join me here:

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Captain's Addendum

Bones: "Three shout-outs in one log entry, Michael. You're going to run out of people to thank."

Spock: "Highly unlikely, Doctor. His sample size appears to be increasing."

Bones: "Well, I suppose that's one problem worth having."

I think Spock has a point.

The longer I travel through this life, the more people I notice who are quietly making a difference.

May you live long and prosper.

William Shatner Interview Recalls Life as Captain Kirk

Stardate 08.27.2026

It was surreal.

Yesterday, while eating my sardines outside my hotel dining room, an interview from 1975 showed up in my YouTube recommendations.

There I was, sitting alone with my breakfast, watching William Shatner recount his days aboard the USS Enterprise.

A young Geraldo Rivera was interviewing Shatner about what the series meant to him. Shatner explained that Star Trekhad been canceled after two seasons because the ratings were falling.

Then something happened.

Fans from all over flooded the network with outrage. The response was so strong that the network brought the cast back for another season.

The studio audience, dressed as Romulans, Klingons, and other Star Trek characters, cheered.

Ten years had passed since seven-year-old Michael sat down after school to watch Captain Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise.

The fans were still there.

So was the love for Star Trek.

This vintage blog is dedicated to Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek.

During the interview, Rivera teased Shatner with rumors about bringing Star Trek back. Shatner said he had heard the rumors, but he didn't think it would happen.

It did.

Today, William Shatner is in his 90s. Most of the original cast has crossed the neutral zone, including Leonard Nimoy and DeForest Kelley.

Yet Spock and Bones are still with me every day.

They live on in the Captain's Addendum, where Alberta and I continue the conversation in cyberspace.

That seven-year-old boy is still here, too.

I remember watching Star Trek after school and being completely captivated by what I saw. Space travel. Strange worlds. New civilizations. A crew working together aboard a starship.

Yesterday, for a few minutes, I was that boy again.

A 1975 interview had somehow traveled through five decades and landed in front of me while I was sitting outside a hotel eating sardines.

Sometimes the past finds us when we aren't looking for it.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” — Hebrews 13:8

That verse came to mind as I watched Shatner on the screen.

People age. Casts change. Shows end. Generations move on.

Some things continue.

The wonder I felt as a seven-year-old is still part of who I am today.

Join me here:

https://substack.com/@michaelmulliganlivelong

Live long and prosper.

Captain's Addendum

Spock: Michael, your discovery yesterday appears to have transported you back nearly sixty years.

Bones: Spock, leave him alone. The man was eating sardines. Clearly, he was already living dangerously.

Spock: An interesting observation, Doctor.

Some memories never really leave us.

I'm grateful for the people who created something that gave a young boy a sense of wonder. I'm grateful that the journey continues in ways Gene Roddenberry could never have imagined.

And I'm grateful that yesterday, for a few minutes, I got to sit beside that seven-year-old boy again.

Live long and prosper.

30 Day Countdown to International Conference

Stardate 08.26.2026

People turn their heads when they see what I'm eating for breakfast.

It's the sardines.

I know how they feel. I agree with them about the taste and the smell. That's why I eat them outside. I don't want to stink up the hotel dining room.

Then I usually skip lunch.

For me, three meals a day feels like overeating. I almost never feel hungry, even when it has been 24 hours since I last ate.

If you've been reading my stories for a while, you already know my eating habits are anything but normal.

In four weeks, I'll be meeting doctors, researchers, scientists, and others who are deeply interested in longevity and the way we eat. I'll have an opportunity to learn from people who have spent years studying these subjects.

I'll also be finding out what my 90-plus days of eating sardines has done to my blood.

There's something else I'm curious about.

The supplements I've been consuming.

More on that later.

My boss at my day job has been kind enough to give me time away to travel to Europe next month, even though we're in one of the most explosive growth cycles I've ever seen.

That deserves a thank-you.

So does my family.

I've spent a lot of time away from home this year, and my family has supported me through all of it. That support has made these adventures possible.

Then there's my mother.

She turns 87 in October.

She has plenty to celebrate.

My blog partner, DoNotAge, invited me to travel to London for their international conference. My mother will be joining me.

She has been invited to sit at the table with some of the smartest people in the world who are studying longevity.

I can't think of a better travel companion.

I'll be reuniting with friends from around the world who met me in New York City one year ago at the first international conference. When it comes to longevity, these people are deeply engaged in the conversation.

I can't wait to see them again.

My mother is one of the few people in my family who has been willing to share her life with my readers. I'm grateful for her willingness to join me on these health experiments and adventures.

If you happen to live in Arizona, where I grew up, and you see an 86-year-old woman walking for miles when the temperature is well over 100 degrees, you may have a pretty good idea where some of my peculiar ways come from.

I have a feeling she'll be taking notes like no other when she meets these people.

And I'll be taking notes, too.

I'll be sharing some of the experience from London with you on Substack, including video interviews from the conference. I have a feeling there will be plenty to talk about.

Maybe something I learn will cause one of us to look differently at the food sitting on our plate.

We'll see.

May you live long and prosper.

Join me here:

https://substack.com/@michaelmulliganlivelong

Scripture

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

— Psalm 90:12

Captain's Addendum

“Michael, I believe the Captain has finally found a breakfast capable of clearing an entire hotel dining room,” Bones said.

“An interesting observation, Doctor. The sardines appear to be accomplishing this without any assistance from Starfleet technology,” Spock replied.

“Gentlemen, you're welcome to join me outside for breakfast tomorrow,” Michael said.

There are some journeys where you know the destination matters.

This one feels like it will be about the people I meet along the way, the questions I bring with me, and what I learn when I sit down at the table with people who are willing to keep asking better questions.

Thirty days to go. 

Next Step

Stardate 08.25.2026

Two things have changed within me since my high school days when I would often lock myself in my room and play two songs from Styx over and over.

Come Sail Away and Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man).

I got viejo. I got over my anger.

What stayed with me is my connection to Styx.

A few days ago, I wrote a post and shared the link on Facebook, “A Gathering of Angels Appeared Above My Head.” Two friends, Laurie and Jeanne, added the next lyrics to the song in the comments.

Apparently, I'm not the only fan.

That's part of my joy.

Connecting.

It's a challenge sometimes when I live so far away from the friends I grew up with. A simple comment on a blog post can suddenly close that distance.

Thank you, my friends, for chiming in.

Today's story is part two.

The younger version of me found relief by listening to Styx. The older version of me has found another place to work through the things that once occupied my mind.

Daily prayer.

Meditation.

During this morning's meditation, I found myself dwelling on “Fooling Yourself.”

I heard the song differently.

Years ago, I heard a song about an angry young man. This morning, I heard something from my own past.

I could listen without carrying the anger that once accompanied it.

That's a pretty good place to be.

When meditation was complete, I decided to search for the collaboration Tommy Shaw did with young musicians performing “Fooling Yourself.” I found a version I had never seen before.

I watched young people play a song that has been part of my life for nearly five decades.

There was something beautiful about hearing that song carried forward by another generation.

A song I listened to alone in my bedroom as a young man had somehow found its way into the hands of another generation.

Maybe that's one of the gifts of getting viejo.

We get to hear old songs with new ears.

We get to look back at younger versions of ourselves with a little more grace.

We get to recognize the places where we have grown.

And sometimes, we get to share something we loved with someone who wasn't even born when we first heard it.

I’m including the video below.

Perhaps it will bring you some joy today, too.

Styx's Tommy Shaw and Bitchin Sauce

“Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”
James 1:19

Join me here:

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Captain's Addendum

Spock: Michael, it appears the Captain has discovered that time changes the way we hear music.

Bones: Spock, give the man a break. He's just happy he finally got old enough to understand the song.

Spock: I believe that is precisely what I said, Doctor.

Somewhere along the way, the next step became easier to see.

I’m grateful for the young man who needed those songs.

I’m grateful for the man who can listen to them now.

May we all keep taking the next step.

May we live long and prosper.

Deep Space

Stardate 08.24.2026

The next time I come home, I will be a new person.

The most recent chapters of my life have taken me far outside my comfort zone. I have discovered that some of the best learning happens when familiar surroundings disappear and I have to find my way through something new.

This morning, another chapter begins.

At 8:00, I will leave home and head into another unfamiliar environment. This time, it feels like I am entering deep space.

I don't know everything that lies ahead. That's okay.

I'm ready for the uncertainty.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

The next chapter is waiting.

Stay tuned.

Bon voyage.

Join me here:

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Captain's Addendum

Spock: “Michael, your destination remains uncertain.”

Bones: “That's Spock's way of saying, ‘Have a good trip.’”

Spock: “I was being precise, Doctor.”

I suppose that's part of the adventure. Sometimes we don't get to see very far ahead. We simply take the next step and trust that God knows the way.

May you live long and prosper.

A Gathering of Angels Appeared Above My Head

 Stardate 08.23.2026

I woke this morning with a line from a song in my head.

It wasn't the entire song. It was one line.

A gathering of angels appeared above my head.

The words come from Come Sail Away by Styx, a band whose music carried me through some challenging years as a teenager. I hadn't been thinking about the song when I went to sleep.

Earlier in the night, I had trouble falling back asleep, so I prayed and meditated. My meditation always ends the same way. I picture myself sending my thoughts to Jesus. When I finished, I drifted back to sleep.

Hours later, I woke with those words.

Then the faces began coming to mind.

Erin was the first.

I dedicated The Adventures of Castaway Wilson to Erin. A few weeks ago, while walking along the Yellow Brick Road during my travels, I saw an oversized statue of Glinda, the Good Witch of the North.

I stopped and took a picture.

Erin had played Glinda in the first play I saw with our children when they were young. Glinda captivated them. After the performance, they got to meet her backstage.

Seeing Glinda again brought Erin back into my thoughts.

Then I remembered my first doubles partner from the tennis team at Sunnyslope High School. He died of AIDS while attending college. He was far too young.

David came next. He was in a younger class, yet he always made a point of connecting with me whenever I returned to Arizona. David had a gift for seeing people who had passed.

David died of COVID.

His girlfriend later volunteered to help promote my writing to people living in Arizona, where I grew up.

I met her while attending a celebration of life for another classmate. He knew he was dying, but he didn't want to die before throwing a party. He became too sick to attend the final tribute, so we brought the tribute to him. We recorded a live video and honored him during his final time on earth.

Then I thought about Mark.

Mark knew his heart was too large for him to live a long life. His doctors told him there was nothing they could do. He chose to live fully anyway. He became a golf professional in New Mexico, and we stayed in touch.

The day Mark left our neighborhood was a sad day for all of us.

There were aunts and uncles who followed in quick succession. My godmother was among them. She prayed like no other.

Now my godfather is facing health issues of his own. He and my godmother were my parents' closest friends. He was a member of the first wrestling team at Arizona State University. We comforted him when my godmother passed, and he has continued to stay connected with our family.

There are friends in my circle who are battling serious diseases today.

All of these people were somehow gathered in my thoughts this morning.

And then I remembered the feather.

Not long ago, I was simply walking.

Nothing unusual was happening around me. There was no obvious explanation for what happened next.

A large white feather appeared above me.

It floated gently downward and landed in front of me.

I stopped.

I looked at it.

I still don't know where it came from.

I don't know whether it was simply a feather carried by the wind or something I was meant to notice.

I do know what happened after I saw it.

I thought about the people I loved who were no longer here.

This morning, when those words from Come Sail Away appeared in my mind, I thought about them again.

A gathering of angels appeared above my head.

Maybe that line stayed with me because I have experienced so many departures.

Maybe the feather stayed with me for the same reason.

I don't need to explain either one.

There are things in life I am comfortable leaving in the hands of God.

Today is my last family day at home for a while. Tomorrow I begin another journey.

Before I leave, I find myself thinking about everyone who has helped shape the life I get to live.

Some are sitting around tables and sharing meals.

Some are fighting to stay.

Some exist only in photographs and memories.

Yet their lives continue to influence mine.

My godmother's prayers still come to mind.

Mark's decision to live fully still speaks to me.

David's unusual gift still makes me wonder.

Erin still appears whenever I see Glinda.

And a large white feather still reminds me to look up.

Maybe that's all I was supposed to do.

Look up.

Remember.

Give thanks.

Then keep walking.

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones." — Psalm 116:15

Join me here:

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Captain's Addendum

"Michael," Bones said, "you've been visited by angels, feathers, Glinda, and a song from your teenage years. Are you sure you're getting enough sleep?"

Spock raised an eyebrow. "Doctor, the Captain has already established that his most interesting experiences occur somewhere between meditation and sleep."

"I still think we should let him enjoy the mystery."

I smiled.

He's right.

Some things are better left unexplained.

Home is Where the Heart is

Stardate: 08.22.2026

I'm home.

God arranged the storms perfectly so I could enjoy great weather during the four-hour drive back to my family.

Yesterday, I watched some rather dangerous weather move around me as I made my way home. Today, there isn't a cloud in the sky.

That seems fitting.

In a few minutes, I'll head out for morning cardio tennis with my friends. This may be the last time I see them before I leave for Europe and an international conference with some of the fittest people in the world who happen to be pursuing longevity.

I'll work on the details of that adventure after tennis.

One of my tennis friends is seeking grants to pursue cancer research at the University of Iowa hospitals and clinics. We may have an opportunity to connect some dots today and explore whether my blog sponsor might be able to assist her research with a possible grant.

I love when life does that.

A simple morning of tennis can become an opportunity to help someone pursue something much bigger.

Coming home also reminds me how fortunate I am to have a family willing to support the life I'm building.

I've been away for long stretches this year. My day job assignments have taken me away from home and into communities where I've had the privilege of helping teams get ready for new beginnings. My family has supported those adventures. They've even come to visit me while I've been away.

That kind of support doesn't happen by accident.

I don't take it for granted.

Lucy is sitting in the driveway waiting for me to finish another dream.

I started that dream years ago. Now it has wheels, a name and a place in the driveway. There is still work to do before Lucy is ready for the adventures I have imagined.

The retirement clock is ticking.

Three years and ten months to go.

Lucy will be ready.

So will I.

This morning, though, I'm home.

I'm back in my hometown. Big things are happening here, too. Volunteers are giving their time and energy to make our community one of the best places to live in America.

I see the same thing everywhere I go.

People showing up.

People giving their time.

People helping build something they may never personally own.

Maybe that's part of what home means.

It is the place where people care enough to show up.

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever."

Psalm 107:1

Join me here:

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Captain's Addendum

Bones: "Michael, you've been traveling all over the place and now you're calling a driveway full of unfinished projects home."

Spock: "An accurate observation, Doctor. The Captain appears to have discovered that home is a state of connection rather than a fixed coordinate."

Bones: "Don't get carried away, Spock. He's just happy to be home."

I think Bones may have this one.

I'm happy to be home.

I'm grateful for the people who make home possible. I'm grateful for friends who open unexpected doors. I'm grateful for volunteers who care about their community. I'm grateful for a dream sitting in my driveway, reminding me that there is still plenty of life ahead.

Today, my heart is home.

Live long and prosper.

While One Chapter Is Still Being Written

 Stardate: 08.21.2026

I am beginning to pack.

That's usually a pretty good sign that an adventure is coming to an end.

For the past several weeks, this has been my temporary home. I've lived in a hotel, worked with a new team, helped open a new location, met people I didn't know, and collected memories I couldn't have planned.

Today, I begin the journey home.

I still have work to do before I leave. The assignment isn't quite finished.

But the ending is close enough that I can feel it.

That has me thinking about how often life works this way.

We can be fully engaged in one chapter while quietly preparing for the next.

I've experienced that throughout this assignment.

When I arrived, there was a new building to open and a new team to help develop. There were people to meet, questions to answer, problems to solve, and a goal to accomplish.

Now I look around and see people who are more confident than they were when I arrived.

That's one of the most satisfying parts of the work.

Eventually, the people you've been helping don't need quite as much help.

That's the goal.

A good teacher works toward becoming unnecessary.

A good leader builds people who can carry the work forward.

Eventually, you have to let them do it.

That doesn't make leaving easy.

It makes leaving meaningful.

I'm looking forward to going home.

I'm looking forward to sleeping in my own bed, playing cardio tennis, spending time with family, and worshiping with the people who have been part of my life long before this particular adventure began.

I'm also grateful for the temporary life I've lived here.

Temporary doesn't mean unimportant.

A hotel room can become home for a while.

A coworker can become a friend.

A short assignment can become an adventure.

A few weeks can create memories that last much longer.

We don't always get to choose how long a chapter lasts.

We can choose how we live it.

I've tried to live this one fully.

I've worked hard.

I've written.

I've prayed.

I've explored.

I've laughed.

I've learned.

I've tried to leave the people and the place a little better than I found them.

Now it's time to go home.

I know another chapter is waiting.

I don't need to tell you what it is.

Maybe I don't need to know every detail myself.

I've become more comfortable with that.

Faith has taught me that I don't have to see the entire road to take the next step.

Sometimes I simply need to be faithful with the road I'm on.

Today, that road leads home.

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.” — Psalm 37:23

Join me here:

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Captain's Addendum

“Michael, I believe the Captain has finally begun packing,” Spock said.

“About time,” Bones replied. “I've been wondering when he'd figure out this assignment was temporary.”

Spock raised an eyebrow. “He appears to have understood that several weeks ago, Bones.”

“Then maybe somebody should remind him to check out on time.”

I smiled.

There is something fitting about ending this chapter with a suitcase.

It is a simple reminder that we are always carrying something forward.

A lesson.

A friendship.

A memory.

A little more confidence.

A little more faith.

This morning, I am packing those things along with everything else.

The rest can stay behind.

Artisan 179 On the Lake in Pewaukee

Stardate: 08.20.2026

Yesterday, at the end of my shift at my day job, I signed up my last member of the day.

He happened to be a bartender.

We started talking about restaurants in the area, sharing some of our favorites. Before we finished our conversation, he recommended a place I had never visited.

"Have you been to Artisan 179?"

I hadn't.

That was enough for me to make a visit.

After work, I headed to Pewaukee. As soon as I arrived, I was drawn to the view. The restaurant overlooks the lake, and I immediately hoped I could find a seat outside.

The restaurant was full.

I was invited to sit at the bar.

That turned out to be a pretty good seat.

I met Mili, one of the bartenders. She had an accent, so I asked where she was from.

"Argentina."

She handed me a menu, and I decided to take her recommendation: the 16-ounce bone-in Iberico pork chop.

The menu describes Artisan 179 as committed to local, sustainable, and organic practices, with everything prepared in a scratch kitchen and a farm-to-table approach.

While I waited, I met Ted, the managing partner. I told him it was my first visit and that I had come because one of my members recommended the restaurant. I also told him I was a writer and planned to write about my experience because I thought my readers would enjoy it.

He welcomed me warmly.

As the evening continued, the bar became busier. Angela joined Mili behind the bar, and soon I found myself surrounded by people who had become my dining companions for the evening.

There was Tamma. Zeynup was there too, along with Darla, her husband Glenn, and their daughter.

We talked.

We laughed.

At one point, we even posed for some pictures that would become part of today's review.

Somewhere in the middle of all of this, I asked Mili a question that comes naturally to me.

"What is your secret to success?"

Her answer was immediate.

"Teamwork."

That answer stayed with me.

I spend much of my working life building teams at my day job. I've learned to pay attention to the little things that reveal whether a team is working well. People communicate. They help each other. They handle pressure together. They make room for someone who is new.

I saw those things happening around me last night.

The food arrived, and Mili's recommendation was excellent. The Iberico pork chop was everything I hoped it would be.

Then Ted surprised me with dessert.

The dessert was a sachet, a box made out of chocolate with all kinds of sweet delights inside.

I offered to share it with my new friends.

They politely declined.

So I enjoyed it myself.

Before I left, I promised Ted that I would have the story written today.

That promise brought me back to the experience this morning.

A member I had met only minutes earlier sent me somewhere I had never been.

Mili welcomed me at the bar.

Ted made me feel at home.

Angela joined the team.

A group of people I had never met became my dinner companions.

And somewhere in the middle of the evening, one word connected the restaurant experience to something I have spent years learning myself.

Teamwork.

It matters wherever people gather to do something together.

Last night, I got to see it from the other side of the bar.

And I got a pretty memorable pork chop and dessert along the way.

Scripture says:

"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour."
— Ecclesiastes 4:9

I'm grateful for the member who made the recommendation.

I'm grateful for Mili, Angela, Ted, and the people who shared the bar with me.

I'm grateful for an unexpected evening that turned into a story worth telling.

Sometimes a good recommendation takes you somewhere you didn't know you needed to go.

Join me here:

Substack — Michael Mulligan

Captain's Addendum

Bones: "Michael, you realize you went to a restaurant to write a review and ended up asking the bartender about teamwork."

Spock: "Doctor, Michael has a pattern."

Bones: "Of course he does. Give him a team and he'll start asking about their goals before dessert."

That made me smile.

They may have a point.

I've spent enough years working with people to recognize the feeling of a team that works well together.

Last night, I felt it.

And I got a pretty memorable dessert, too.

I'm grateful for the people who keep teaching me, sometimes without knowing they are doing it.

One percent better.

One good conversation at a time.

Live long and prosper.