I had the window in my car down the other day when I pulled up to a red light. The sun was beaming and I felt glad to be out and enjoying myself on a bright windy day. I was tapping the wheel, drumming to the music on the radio, and enjoying the day. Right... Continue Reading →
Ghosts of parenting past
I was walking recently on a trail near our house. It swings around the local middle school tennis courts, baseball diamonds, and football fields. At one point, I stopped on the path and listened. There was a light rain and I was alone on the trail. In the mist, I thought I heard the crack... Continue Reading →
Tips on writing: Timeless lessons
One night when I was in college, I was working in the library on a paper that my journalism professor had assigned. He asked us to write a news story on the college trustees' decision to make several program cuts and raise tuition for the fifth year in a row. I was struggling with the... Continue Reading →
Traveling in the eye of the storm
(I first wrote this story in September 2020. I've made a few updates.) The young woman wore a white lab coat. She smiled back at me. Before she even said a word, I could see she had no idea what I had just asked. I was more than 3,900 miles from home and I was... Continue Reading →
Hitting the books!
(I ran a version of this story in July 2019. I'm seeing a lot of parents on social media talking about sending their kids off to college. This seemed like a good time to rerun it.) I sprinted ten yards. I stopped quickly to a brisk walk for a few paces. Then, I sprinted again... Continue Reading →
Kids and their toys
Sometimes I wish I was a kid again. Oh, I'm not saying kids have it easier today, because I don't think they do. They have it rough. They face poverty and hunger. According to UNICEF, around 333 million children live in extreme poverty. They face societal pressures and bullying and depression too. It's a tough time to be... Continue Reading →
Take me out to the ballgame!
(I first wrote this story in June 2019. I've made a few updates.) I created the line-up card and handed it into the umpire. When the baseball game got started, I called for the steal. I switched players. I also made the long walk to the pitcher’s mound to take out the starting pitcher and... Continue Reading →
Solid as a rock
I skimmed a story the other day that offered gift ideas for loved ones. The article listed all the normal presents: flowers; jewelry; chocolate, and experiences like massages or weekends away. When I saw the list, I was shocked that the author neglected to include a run-of-the-mill rock or stone. I considered writing the editor,... Continue Reading →
The other side of the coin
When I was a kid, my dad used to carry a small, red squeeze change purse. You don't see many adults carry these around much anymore. I guess he didn't like the loose change in his pockets. At the end of the day, he would routinely go through his change and give me his extra... Continue Reading →

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