A Day at the Beach

My big mouth gets me in trouble sometimes. That should not shock anyone. I have learned over the years, however, to not promise things I might not do. I did not follow that guideline earlier this summer during a conversation with my daughter. She loves our family’s annual beach week as much as I do, […]

Stop Bugging Me

We visited my wife’s mother recently and spent our usual amount of time sitting outside and talking. They have some really nice shaded areas around the house, and we had a really nice day. At one point, a solitary bug was, well, bugging me. I could see him very clearly fly a few feet away […]

Where’s My Midlife Crisis?

Someone I know showed off a restoration project he has recently undertaken. As he told me about his plans, he mentioned that someone called the enterprise his “mid-life crisis.” I had to laugh because he’s a little older than I am. Since I don’t think I have officially had a mid-life crisis, either I’m off […]

Not a Hoarder

Like many people, I look at those TV shows which focus on hoarders and laugh. I wonder how anyone could live like that. Then I head into our basement and sit in my recliner because the loveseat and other chair down there have boxes upon boxes of stuff on them. But I don’t have a […]

Taco Time

Sometimes I have trouble focusing. I may have an important problem and can’t figure out the proper solution. I might have a number of projects due at the same time. I also might have friends who disparage foods I like and need to focus on setting them straight. I don’t know how all of these […]

Olympic Obsession

I think my obsession started with the “Guinness Book of World Records.” We always had one lying around the house when I was a kid so you could check the distance of the longest grape toss which someone caught in their mouth. The book also had lists of Olympic medalists in every sport. I used […]

Better Red Than Dead

We have certain traditions on my family’s annual beach vacation. We always have a cornhole tournament. One night features a crab feast. In recent years, we have added a scavenger hunt for the children in the family. This year, one of the irregular traditions I observe has returned. I got sunburn really bad, really fast. […]

Give the Kids a Chance

This is my weekly column, but I have been writing on this issue for a few days over at www.livinginhanover.com.  I remember going to see the musical during my sophomore year of high school. I don’t really remember why I went, but I will never forget how I watched guys I went to school with […]

Another Wedding Miscue

Some recent weddings in my family produced some embarassment for me. I’m not talking about making a fool out of myself on the dance floor because I have enough company in that area. I have had, for lack of a better term, wardrobe malfunctions prior to the ceremony. Six years ago, I realized I brought […]