I got really worried for a few moments. One of my sisters-in-law wanted to present me with a special gift in front of everyone at our family’s Christmas Eve celebration. I had no reason to distrust her. It’s the ones I am related to by blood that I didn’t trust. As the youngest, this feeling […]
Americans have very few opportunities these days to band together with one singular purpose. A couple of weeks ago, however, that happened when NBC aired a live production of “The Sound of Music.” Unfortunately, I did not get to take part in this exercise because of a work function I had to attend. I could […]
One of the guiding principles for writers is the “rule of three.” Basically, using three examples for something tends to work better, especially in comedy. But as Mike, my oldest nephew, recently pointed out, the theory also applies to parenting. You see, Mike has three kids with a fourth one on the way. He and […]
As with many things I do, it seemed like a good idea at the time. On a grocery store trip a long time ago, my wife brought home an apple-flavored trail mix, granola sort of thing from the bulk food aisle. Since I always think I have the discipline to improve myself, I took a […]
I had to travel for work recently. I don’t have to do this often so it still has some novelty involved. I have a few traditions for these trips. I try to sample as many local beers as I can. I have at least one room service dinner. And I always take good notes on […]
When I made my confession, I figured I would end up as the bad guy in the scenario. It turns out that I had completely misjudged the situation. My daughter made a special request for one of my wife’s recent trips to the grocery store. Bridget wanted Jell-O, like any good American kid does. So […]
As a kid, I loved the show, “The A Team.” The program fell right into my wheelhouse – great action, a token female character to run around, Mr. T and his catch phrases. But one of the great parts of the show would come when Hannibal, the leader of the group played by George Peppard, […]
Sometimes I wonder what I have become. I still think I have my usual fun outlook on life most of the time, but come across moments where I don’t recognize myself. That happened recently when I had one of those special opportunities I get a few times each year. My wife and daughter went away […]
I knew the look in her eye. I have seen it a lot in recent years as I found myself more involved in community events. The look told me that the brain was saying, “I know I can do this, but I have so many other things to do, but I really know I can […]
A friend posted a first day of school picture on Facebook recently. Her son looked ready for his first day of kindergarten at their nearby Catholic school. I recognized this kind of picture very well. In fact, I have seen many like it, especially as social media provided a ready outlet for these kinds of […]