Last Saturday night, a thundering boom shook the house. When I looked out the window, I could see lightning flashing across the sky. I watched all of it from a cushy living room chair. Despite the chaos outside, I was filled with an inner peace. Earlier in the day, my wife and I had taken... Continue Reading →
A sign of peace
I guess there's always hope. I wrote last November on how the National Zoo in Washington, DC had to say an emotional farewell to three giant pandas, on loan from China. I wrote too on how my wife and I fell in love with the pandas when we young and lived in Northern Virginia. We... Continue Reading →
Hello little friend
My wife has become fascinated with a little bird friend that keeps visiting our backyard. The bird comes every morning and evening, perching itself on the far edge of the deck. The little guy peaks into our kitchen window and sings my wife a song. We’re by no means bird people, but my wife thinks... Continue Reading →
The things we take for granted
Several years ago, we went hiking in Shenandoah National Park in Northern Virginia, but even with the covered woods, the bright sun beat down on us. My shirt was soaked with sweat and dirt. The climb back up the hill where we parked was slow. I would walk for a minute or two and then... Continue Reading →
Still fighting the good fight
I find it interesting the things that carve out a place in our minds. For example, I can't remember our grocery list without writing it out on a piece of paper, or even the name of the guy that I met thirty minutes ago. However, I can tell you exactly where I was thirty-some years... Continue Reading →
Faith and tolerance
I walked into the classroom and sat down. I was early, class wouldn’t start for another twenty minutes, so I pulled out my schedule. I had a busy semester and needed something light. A friend had suggested Religious Studies 101 with a particular professor. He claimed that it was an easy A. I just needed... Continue Reading →
Finding my rhythm
The social media commenter started off with an aggressive, hot take: "If you’re not first, you're last." I read the post and read it again and then read it a third time. I thought it might be the poster's way of inspiring readers to push to be number one. Instead, the poster explained how she... Continue Reading →
Honor and courage
Abraham Lincoln created the Medal of Honor 160 years ago on July 12, 1862, to recognize American soldiers (later sailors, Marines, airmen, guardians, and coast guardsmen) who distinguished themselves with acts of valor. The medal of honor is the government's highest and most prestigious military decoration. The award was created in many respects for men... Continue Reading →
Coming up empty in my search for doggy kisses
Every morning for the past two weeks, I’ve run down to our kitchen to grab a refill on my coffee cup and a granola bar before running back up to my office to log into the next meeting. Before I head back upstairs, I look over to to see our dog, Nittany, a Lhasa Apso -... Continue Reading →

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