A brief warning from a state park attendant kicked off a flood of creative inspiration. From jellyfish apocalypses to mob bosses in flip-flops, here is what happens when your mind wanders on dry land.
An Angel When I Needed It Most
(A version of this story appeared on The Heart of The Matter in November 2023.) The thing I noticed first was his calmness. He wasn’t like the other teachers, coaches, or family friends in my life. He had a soft voice that you sometimes had to strain to hear and he rarely seemed to yell... Continue Reading →
The Best Show in the Airport Starts After Midnight
Stuck overnight at the airport after a canceled flight, I discovered that no matter how old we get, heavy machinery and late-night maintenance still bring out our inner ten-year-old—and apparently, my new dream vehicle is a $35,000 industrial floor scrubber.
If You’ve Heard It Once… Talking about Clichés
We talk in clichés. We love phrases that once were striking, but over time have lost their impact and power. Their overuse has caused the words to lose meaning for the listener. It's like a piece of bubble gum that's full of sugary flavor when you first start chewing it, but over time becomes bland... Continue Reading →
What an Old Flannel Shirt Taught Me About Forgiveness
A simple request from my wife to borrow a flannel shirt sent me down a hallway of memory. Flannel was my father's uniform through every high and low of his life. Looking at his old shirt hanging in my closet reminds me that people are complicated, messy, and full of grace if we choose to see it.
Real Wealth? The True Luxuries of Life
We talk a lot about billionaires and the 1%, but a memory from an old college classroom makes me wonder: Are the world's greatest luxuries already within our grasp?
The Great Suburban Coffee Wars
A single sleepy suburban mile, two local coffee shops, two corporate giants, and a convenience store brawl for market share. Welcome to the local coffee wars—where seasonal flavors fly before fall even arrives.
Up, Up, and Away (Until the Snack Cart Arrives)
From the quiet awe of takeoff to the absurdity of the terminal, air travel is a mix of miracles and madness. A look at the brief magic of flight—and the universal quirks of the people we fly with.
Salty Air & Simple Things
From moody introverted seagulls and missing personalized keychains to the undisputed supremacy of beach ice cream, here are a few simple observations and lessons learned from a recent trip to Bethany Beach.

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