My background can be described as humble and working class. I was the nerdy outlier and continue to be. My siblings, especially my eldest brother, would often delight in circumstances where I demonstrated a lack of what he loved to…
“Two hundred and forty-seven pounds of tomatoes this year” exclaimed my father in law. “Last year was about one hundred and eighty. A few years ago was only about eighty. But we did get almost two hundred a few years…
There are multiple facets to every story, so I don’t normally overreact to things in the news. Smart kids with clocks (bombs), or sexual harassment at schools by students or employees – while I am disturbed by the general ideas…
“Dad! Dad!” “Dadda!” “Daddy!” “Pop!” “Poppy!” Those words can have different meanings or intentions. Tone, time of day, rep count can all bias how you answer those calls. It’s easy to take some for granted. Or be too dismissive or…
“Dad, when I’m 8 years old, Barack Obama won’t be President anymore.” Thomas dropped this little nugget in the car a few days ago. “Yes, yes son. Now stop distracting me while I’m driving.” The significance of his observation hit…
In November of 2009, I briefly lost my mind. Lori was needed at a conference in Honolulu. So we decided to bring the kids along and visit the family. Lori, Logan, and I last visited in April of 2008, when…