Baby Stepping into the Present

I have a complicated relationship with technology. Whenever something new comes out, I really, really want it. I inherited that trait from my late father. But over the years a few factors – namely reality and my wife’s love of thrift – have taught me the difference between wanting something and needing something. I have […]

Solo Survival

Over a 48-hour period last week, I discovered something very important. I can get along just fine without my wife. That does not mean that I want to get rid of her or think taking care of our daughter alone is easy. All I’m saying is that I can do it. Maria went away for […]

Worst Week

I hate this week. I should really love it because you can sense the beginning of summer, and Memorial Day gives us a four-day work week. But an awful stench lingers in the air for me. The television season has come to a close. I will get over this feeling soon when I start to […]

Me and My Hamloaf

When my wife told me we had dinner plans with friends on a Saturday night, I didn’t flinch. In fact, I cheered the development because I like to get out when I can. We were kid-free on this particular weekend so I really appreciated the idea. A Saturday evening in Dillsburg with Maria’s best friend […]

Hair-Raising Idea

A mixture of dread and confusion washed over me as I looked at my reflection in the mirror. I knew I had come to a crossroads in my life. As usual, I had gone far too long without a haircut. This happens to me all the time so I don’t know why I felt this […]

Getting Closer

Sometimes, a milestone comes and goes with very little notice. That’s what happened a couple of weeks ago when we passed the 100 days mark before the beginning of the Olympic Games this summer. I saw a brief mention of this news on Twitter or Facebook, but just went about my business. A few days […]

Crisis Averted

I had a very scary moment the other day. In fact, for a few hours, I had to deal with an intense feeling of dread. Lying on the couch in the early morning as I am wont to do, I noticed something funny on the television set. I had made my way downstairs at some […]

Trouble Making Connections

As I sit down to write this column, something doesn’t feel quite right. I have started to have bouts of heartburn which drive me crazy. I know I shouldn’t eat certain things at certain times, but can’t help myself. So I try and take it easy the next morning with a nagging pain in my gut. […]

A Close Shave

Groucho Marx once quipped that he wouldn’t join any club which would have him as a member. Sometimes I feel that way. Who would want my brand of insanity and self-doubt? But recently, I found a group that not only seemed to fit my personality, but, by some miracle, they also wanted me. I am […]