Some of the most influential and interesting people in the world are fictional. Sherlock Holmes, Huck Finn, Jane Eyre, Anna Karenina, Holden Caulfield, and Superman, to name a few, may never have walked the earth, but they certainly stride through our lives. We can feel their influence personally: as childhood friends, catalysts to our dreams, or even fantasy lovers.

My choice? Sherlock Holmes. What would I do for a day? Start solving a crime with the help of Dr. Watson.

HANK

I determine if my goal or immediate interest is important or its opposite. Then I act accordingly. I quit smoking some years ago because a Physician told me I had emphysema. Since I loved my wife and had much to live for, I took my pack of cigarettes out of my pocket and threw 'em in a wastebasket. I've never had a cigarette since because I stayed focused on something important. God gave us will-power. So, use it wisely. I did!

Whitney Houston's "The Ultimate Collection." It's in a realm of it's own, especially her "One Moment In Time." (#4 on her album) Vocal arrangement by Whitney. What a great talent!

General and President Dwight D. Eisenhower!

"Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired, signifies in the final sense a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed."- Dwight David Eisenhower

His strategy cleaned up Europe during World War II. Just a great man!

EISENHOWER

“Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired, signifies in the final sense a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed.”
- Dwight David Eisenhower

GO WITH GOD

Young people should use this facility. Learning can't possibly be any simpler. I had to go to my High School and University libraries to learn MORE about many subjects. Now I write my own book manuscripts — non-fiction. I like FACTS. I'll submit my first one when the time is right. My second one is a humdinger. Please believe me, my friends.

My favorite University Professor at Westminster College, Fulton, MO. was Dr. Alexander. My grade average in Sociology the last semester of my Junior year was a 96. Highest grade ever given out by Professor Alexander in his 25 years teaching Sociology. Why? The library was open 24/7.

By the way … very good prompt question.

HANK

Trust is essential to true friendship. We all need someone with whom we can share our lives, thoughts, feelings, and frustrations. We need to be able to share our deepest secrets with someone, without worrying that those secrets will end up on the Internet the next day! Failing to be trustworthy with those intimate secrets can destroy a friendship in a hurry. Faithfulness and loyalty are key to true friendship. Without them, we often feel betrayed, left out, and lonely. In true friendship, there is no backbiting, no negative thoughts, no turning away.

I support the American Cancer Society and the American Lung Assn. because my wife, Carol, died of lung cancer in 2006. I don't want anyone to go through what my loving wife experienced. Terrible disease.

God gave us free-will, guys and gals. Use it wisely.

HANK