For many years, after email was invented, I shared my thoughts on a weekly basis with the teams I led through a Friday Update. I'd include key upcoming dates, provide shout outs to those who had excelled, reinforced concepts or guidelines and more. I ended each one with a 'Commentary.'

The Commentary could be an analysis of a national trend, a story about my past experiences that included a pertinent lesson, a humorous observation or a message about the future and what it would take to succeed.

When I was furloughed in June of 2020, I continued to write a Commentary, but called it the Wednesday Weblog, and instead of just distributing it to my team, I sent it to many of my contacts. The first edition is pictured above, "Inspiration from a Trash Barrel."

It is hard to believe, but this edition is the 300th Wednesday Weblog distributed, and in a few months, the 6th Anniversary of the Weblog will take place.

There are a lot of people to thank, including my wife, Betty, who proofreads them and keeps me out of trouble. Any typos you've noticed were solely because I ignored her advice. I am also grateful to those of you who read it every week. There are dozens and dozens of readers who have not missed an edition since signing up (or since I signed them up).

Thanks for reading the Weblog. I am grateful for your readership, emails, and comments, so keep them coming.

This week, I am including links to the ten most popular Weblogs since I started. Hopefully the next 300 will be as popular.

Damn Proud

By far the most read Weblog was about my adventure running the Boston Marathon at the age of 70. It was an unusual year with a pandemic impacting everyone and everything, and it was an unusual route: 47 laps around the outside of Fenway Park.

Looking back, it is hard to believe that I did it, but I did, in a little over six hours. That year I ran more than 500 training miles and went through a couple of pairs of HOKA running shoes. I won't be doing it again.

Two 50-year-Old Cocktail Napkins

If you've met my wife, you know that I married up. This Weblog is the story of our first date: a date without a kiss, but with McDonald's French fries, and the bribery of a waitress to serve my underage date.

I know, it sounds like a soap opera episode, but it set in motion a relationship that has resulted in 52 years of marriage this July, so something worked.

Fraternity: A Four Letter Word

As an Alum of Phi Sigma Kappa at the University of Massachusetts, I served in a variety of roles as a volunteer Advisor, Alumni Association Member, and House Corporation President.

Whenever I hear about bad 'frat' behavior, it makes me mad. This Weblog was a defense of the concept of Fraternity as well as a defense of MY fraternity.

An All-Nighter with Larry Bird

As a rookie, in 1980 Larry Bird made his very first TV commercial in a store I managed for McDonald's. My wife, sister, and management team served as the 'extras' in the spot.

Larry actually started the concept of making trick shots that he immortalized with Michael Jordan at that restaurant on Boylston Street across from Fenway Park.

Dancing with the Stars of Boston

Trilogy Part 1, Trilogy Part 2, Trilogy Part 3

To this day, I have no idea why I did this. It turned out to be the most terrifying experience of my life, but apparently, I grew from it. At least that's what my sister predicted.

I did not shave my chest in case you were wondering, and I still have the dancing shoes: like new, not worn since 2008.

Clean Up on Aisle 12

There are some things about supermarkets and food that have always baffled me. During the pandemic, I did a lot of the shopping and developed even more questions about why things are the way they are.

I also had the chance to observe people's shopping cart returning behavior. You know who you are.

More Valuable Than a Trophy

If you don't take lessons from disappointments, they are simply disappointments. If you do take lessons from disappointments, those lessons can, and usually do, contribute to future success.

Recently I had dinner with two other members of the 1968 Braintree High School soccer team, one of the best in the history of the powerful Bay State League. The team fell just a little short, but valuable lessons were learned.

We Sang to Shania Twain

Backstage at an amphitheater in Cincinnati, my son had the once in a lifetime experience of not only meeting Shania Twain at the height of her popularity, but since it was her birthday, we also sang Happy Birthday to her. Not many people can claim that, and I do every chance I get. For the record, she is a nice lady. The story is actually about loyalty, since there were some obstacles in the way of making this happen, but with the help of a friend it did.

The Day You Were Hired

Not many people realize that even on your first day on a job you are expected to produce. This weblog explains that organizations compensate people for three things: generating revenue, directing others, and solving problems. Even a first day employee has the capability of solving problems, and should.

Summer of 1973 Gusto Guide

You might say that my first Weblog was actually written in the summer of 1973 when I was an editorial columnist for the University of Massachusetts summer newspaper.

I found it in an old box in the basement and inserted it into a Wednesday Weblog to rave reviews. Well maybe, positive reviews. Well maybe, no one criticized it too much.