A philosophy of presence, clarity, and living without a script.
08/14/23 Biking & Listening
Biking is something else I both love and hate. It takes a lot of effort but does provide good exercise and most days over an hour to listen to a good book or podcast. I especially like having ridden.
Here’s my bike, a Rockhopper by Specialized. I purchased it November 2021 from Venture Out in Guntersville; Mike is top notch! So is the bike, and the ‘old’ man seat I salvaged from an old Walmart bike.
Writer, observer, and student of presence. After decades as a CPA, attorney, and believer in inherited purpose, I now live a quieter life built around clarity, simplicity, and the freedom to begin again.
I write both nonfiction and fiction:
The Pencil-Driven Life, a memoir and daily practice of awareness, and the Boaz, Alabama novels—character-driven stories rooted in the complexities of ordinary life.
I live on seventy acres we call Oak Hollow, where my wife and I care for seven rescued dogs and build small, intentional spaces that reflect the same philosophy I write about. Oak Hollow Cabins is in the development stage (opening March 1, 2026), and is—now and always—a lived expression of presence: cabins, trails, and quiet places shaped by the land itself.
My background as a Fictionary Certified StoryCoach Editor still informs how I understand story, though I no longer offer coaching. Instead, I share reflections through The Pencil’s Edge and @thepencildrivenlife, exploring what it means to live lightly, honestly, and without a script.
Whether I’m writing, building, or walking the land, my work is rooted in one simple truth:
Life becomes clearer when we stop trying to control the story and start paying attention to the moment we’re in.
View all posts by Richard L. Fricks
2 thoughts on “08/14/23 Biking & Listening”
It appears the Sam Harris podcast is behind a pay wall. Is that correct? If so, as a courtesy to your readers, it might be polite to let them know such limits in future recommendations.
Thanks, and you’re correct the full episodes are behind a pay wall. I believe one can watch a significant portion of each episode at Sam Harris.org. I’ll check. If so, I should also include that link. Also, I think one can subscribe to Sam’s Making Sense podcast on Spotify and listen to portions of each episode. FYI, I’ve found the podcast well worth the subscription price.
It appears the Sam Harris podcast is behind a pay wall. Is that correct? If so, as a courtesy to your readers, it might be polite to let them know such limits in future recommendations.
LikeLike
Thanks, and you’re correct the full episodes are behind a pay wall. I believe one can watch a significant portion of each episode at Sam Harris.org. I’ll check. If so, I should also include that link. Also, I think one can subscribe to Sam’s Making Sense podcast on Spotify and listen to portions of each episode. FYI, I’ve found the podcast well worth the subscription price.
LikeLiked by 1 person