(I ran version of this story in July 2016. I've updated and made a few changes to the piece.) When I was young kid, I loved to watch my dad carve an old sea captain or a duck from a block of wood. Or maybe a hound dog or grizzly bear. He carved anything that... Continue Reading →
Thinking of a friend
My wife and I went to a minor league baseball game recently. It was a fun date night. We got a couple of burgers. We shared a soft pretzel. We were both tired when we got home. I unlocked the front door and we paused and looked at each other at the same time before... Continue Reading →
A new schedule!
My wife and I have a schedule. She races off in the morning to school. I work from home. We do our own thing and then later in the evening we come back together. We'll sit across from each other, both exhausted, but glad to see each other. We're like many other couples. We'll chat... Continue Reading →
Standing the test of time
(A version of this post ran on October 2021.) My son stops halfway up our stairs and then turns to come back downstairs. He thanks us for letting him have his friends over for a late-night fire in the yard and chat about music. He lets out a big yawn and comes over to my... Continue Reading →
Down goes Brian!
I tried to be Mr. Cool. Two weekends ago, my wife and I went out to dinner with my brother- and sister-in-law. It was a wonderful dinner with great food and conversation. As we left the restaurant, I knew the sidewalk would be slick. The falling snow had been replaced by an icy sleet. Still,... Continue Reading →
Lessons from mom
When I was a kid, my mother was a treasure-trove of folksy sayings. When I failed to make the varsity basketball team, she told me to "stop crying over spilled milk. When I was chomping at the bit for Christmas morning, she told me to "hold my horses." Some of her sayings and colloquialisms came... Continue Reading →
What happens after the gift-giving
One Christmas many years ago, my wife and I struggled on what to get her parents. We wanted to give them something that showed our appreciation for being so kind to us throughout a busy year. We were starting to run out of time. I would ask my wife if she thought of something, she... Continue Reading →
The meaning of the season
Merry Christmas to you and yours. Peace be with you.
Mary, did you know?
(I first ran a version of this piece on Dec. 25, 2015) The song “Mary, Did You Know” ranks as one of my favorite songs of the season. When I heard the song years ago, it inspired me to imagine in my own words what it must have been like to walk in her shoes.... Continue Reading →

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