Tag: Children

Mortification, Phase 2

Three years ago, we took the family to my company's picnic at Huber’s, a family farm about 45 minutes from our home. At the time, I shared my mortification at the fact that we had left Sam's shoes at home. I have photos of him traipsing through the pumpkin patch, barefoot without a care in … Continue reading Mortification, Phase 2 →

Papa Moses

I believe that Moses was the proto-parent, put in charge of a bunch of ungrateful people. I’m convinced that he said or was tempted to say at least a few of the following statements:   “Well, if all of your friends gave up their jewelry so that they could make a golden calf, would you … Continue reading Papa Moses →

Aside – Road Trip 2018

I listened to a Hemingway book during our drive down to Florida, so tonight's post, which is meant to relate a fairly common parental culinary struggle, is written (in a very poor imitation) in his honor. The waves were tall and dark green. There was much foam. The flag flying above the distant estación de … Continue reading Aside – Road Trip 2018 →

Author’s Aside //3 – Horses

It's Kentucky Derby time, and here in my hometown of Lousiville, KY, the excitement is palpable! Which, for me, means I am getting ready to put on some old running shoes so I can spend the day pulling weeds in my yard only to use them to cover up bald dirt spots, with the full knowledge … Continue reading Author’s Aside //3 – Horses →

Author’s Aside //2 – Sizes

Note: After inventing the concept of "Aside" last week (again, I have very few superhuman abilities, but (taking credit for) the invention of literary concepts is one of them), and applying it to my blogging efforts, I offer another today.  It's short. In fact, this intro is longer.  But, as before, I do this to keep … Continue reading Author’s Aside //2 – Sizes →

Holidays

Depending on your religious affiliation or celebration preferences, I wanted to wish you all a Happy . . . "National Candy-for-Breakfast" Day! or "Dental-Professional-Boat-Down-Payment" Day! or "I can't go to school, I feel horrible!" Day! or "The skeleton and half-rotted pumpkin sitting on my porch look a bit beyond creepy now" Day! or "Can I listen to Christmas … Continue reading Holidays →

Password Fatigue – 40by40

If you're like most folks, these days, when more and more business is conducted online, you struggle with the sheer number of passwords that you're required to create and remember. If you’re like me, you often choose meaningful passwords, ones that are applicable to the current stage of life, but often even those expire, forcing … Continue reading Password Fatigue – 40by40 →

The Boy on His Birthday

I haven’t attempted much poetry since college.  As such, I’m not even sure that’s what this is. For what it’s worth, this came from a strangely deep and abiding emotion which washed over me at my son’s 5th birthday party.  It was such a melancholy sensation seemingly linked not only the quick pace of life … Continue reading The Boy on His Birthday →

I Never Get to Sit There!

My kids argue nearly every morning over where they are going to sit in the van on the way to school. Needless to say, the conversations quickly turn irrational. I'm hoping they get over this before they enter the workaday world. I cannot imagine this being a productive practice in, say, an office environment: "Carl, … Continue reading I Never Get to Sit There! →

On the Family Life Reboot

I'm intrigued by this fairly new phenomenon in Hollywood known as the "reboot."  This is where they take a popular movie franchise, most commonly a superhero or sci-fi series, and essentially start over with it, taking it back to some new starting point.  They'll often times bring in a new director with a new vision … Continue reading On the Family Life Reboot →

On Youth – Pt 2

More from the upcoming book: "Even when you can say something in a soft, 'indoor' voice, make sure you say it loud and proud, preferably at least 6 times louder than the situation requires. The effect will be especially powerful in small, confined spaces, like a crowded hotel breakfast nook or a van. You'll feel … Continue reading On Youth – Pt 2 →

On the Differences Between Kids and Pets – Part 1

I thought taking care of a puppy and raising a toddler would be very similar, but I'm finding there are a ton of differences. For instance, one constantly climbs on the furniture, eats any and everything left on the floor, destroys our stuff, poops and pees all over the house, and can't be trusted alone. … Continue reading On the Differences Between Kids and Pets – Part 1 →

On Being Deceptively Small

My daughter weighs about 50 lbs. Yet, when she's coming down the stairs it sounds like she's dragging a large burlap sack full of sandbags and wrenches. Can anyone help explain this?