My daughter loves hanging out with her friends. She also enjoys reading or relaxing with our dog Nittany. Likewise, my oldest son loves to lift weights and watch action movies. Over the past twelve months, I’ve watched as both have given up things they love and stepped out of their comfort zones to tackle new …
Category: Dream
A perfect day
The coffee was weak, my toast was burnt, and my omelet tasted bland. My wife’s breakfast wasn’t much better—her crêpes looked soggy and lumpy. That’s not all. The restaurant was loud and had a strange echo and a cold breeze shook me every time a customer opened the door. Despite the food and the surroundings, …
Expecto Patronum
Indigenous cultures occasionally focus on spirit animals who help guide and direct them during times of trouble. It’s not just the native cultures, but modern day fiction too. In J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World of Magic, Harry Potter’s Patronus charm takes the shape of a stag, just like his father. Wizards use the spell as protection in …
Two stories that make the “cold, hardened heart” melt
Coming off the practice field last week, Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback Carson Wentz stopped to sign a jersey for an 11-year-old boy in a wheelchair. Pro athletes visit hospitals and support their favorite charities all the time. Detroit Lions Quarterback Matt Stafford recently called a 14-year-old double amputee onto the field during the team’s scrimmage, letting …
Continue reading Two stories that make the “cold, hardened heart” melt
Living with insomnia
When I grew up in Central Pennsylvania, I would regularly fall asleep in the evening to a cool breeze blowing through my bedroom window. The crisp mountain air would hit you and bring about a calmness. Oh, you might hear a few birds chirping throughout the night, certainly a whippoorwill or two courting a mate …
Planning my day off
I’m giddy with excitement. I’m like a kid on Christmas eve. Instead of getting up early and getting dressed for work, I’m taking a vacation day next week. In corporate speak, I'm taking a PTO (paid time-off) Day; in common everyday language, I’m taking a day off for me. Right now, I have absolutely nothing …
Survival of the fittest
I feel fortunate some days to be upright and walking, none the worse for wear. It’s a mean, cruel world out there, but somehow I've survived. Think I'm joking. Here’s some of the things that I’ve survived in my short life: --Playing on 70’s playground equipment. Think metal monkey bars . . . nothing more …
No control!
My wife and daughter were stuck along the side of the busy road. They had been out shopping when my wife's car started making a violent bucking sound. They pulled over and were waiting for a tow truck driver to come pick them up. Of course, the tow trucker driver was taking longer than expected. …
When I’m king of the world – Part III
It’s been a while since I’ve written one of these columns. For those new to my blog, I’ve jotted down decrees off and on over the past several years that I will make law the instant I become King of the World. I have no plans for a Game of Thrones takeover anytime soon, so …
The best feeling in the world
We all have our favorites. There’s nothing else like it, the highest of the high. I’m talking of course about the best feeling in the world: --When you write something and you touch someone. The reaction could be good or bad, the good part is getting the reaction. For example, I wrote something recently and sent …
