Archive for May 2018
Speak Up Storytelling: The Podcast available today!
Elysha and I are thrilled to announce THE FIRST EPISODE OF OUR NEW PODCAST SPEAK UP STORYTELLING. Unlike most storytelling podcasts, which offer you one or more outstanding stories to listen to and enjoy, our podcast seeks to entertain while also providing some specific, actionable lessons on storytelling. Each week we will bring our expertise…
Read MoreThe threat of murder at midnight
Just past midnight, my friend, Rob spiked an unlikely flush on the river, causing Steve to shout for joy, Casey to clap loud and appreciatively, and Dan to sort of scream with surprise and and excitement. Tom, who had just been knocked out of the poker tournament by the unlikely diamond, said nothing. A moment…
Read MoreStoryworthy in my hands!
One of the many most exciting moments as an author is the moment when the first copy fo your book arrives at your doorstep. This was the fifth time that I experienced such a moment, and I remember each of them with perfectly clarity. The tearing open of a box. The ripping of a mailing…
Read MoreA surprise breakfast with their friend. Not a potential heart attack for their father.
The best part of my heart scare on Tuesday morning was our children, or more specifically, the way we managed them during this potential crisis. When we decided to call for an ambulance, a number of decisions were made: 1. When Elysha made the call, she requested that the ambulance refrain from using a siren…
Read MoreI made two instantaneous, temporary friends yesterday, and it meant everything to me.
As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, a total of 20 healthcare professionals assisted me on Tuesday during my cardiac scare, and every single one of them was professional, kind, and skilled at their job. I appreciated the efforts of everyone involved beyond measure. That said, some were better than others, and truly, all it took…
Read MoreNot a heart attack after all, but an eventful day nonetheless.
I woke up yesterday morning with terrible chest pains and struggling to breathe. I fed the cats, sat down at my computer to write, and tried to pretend that I wasn’t in pain. About 15 minutes later, at 5:45 AM, I decided that I might be in trouble. I was starting to sweat and the…
Read MoreRuth and Bush
This is a photograph of future President George H. W. Bush and Babe Ruth in 1948. The cancer-stricken Babe Ruth donated an original manuscript of his autobiography to Yale University. He presented the gift during an on-field ceremony at Yale Field, where he was greeted by the Bulldogs’ baseball team captain, George H.W. Bush. I…
Read MoreSo many white people…
The White House hosted military spouses last week. Here is a photograph of the group, released by the White House. Noticing anything odd? It’s admittedly odd that the entire group appears to be female, given that about 15% of the armed forces is female, so there are presumably some male military spouses in America. But…
Read MoreI’m not supposed to be happy today.
Charlie came downstairs this morning and said, “I just woke up Mommy and gave her all of her Mother’s Day presents.” “I wish you had waited,” I said, thinking that Elysha had probably wished the same thing. As cute as Charlie may be, opening his presents at 6:40 AM was probably not what she had…
Read MoreElysha the Unstoppable
One day before Mother’s Day, I thought I’d tell you a remarkable mother story about my wife, Elysha Dicks. About five years ago, Elysha and the kids were having dinner at a local restaurant with a friend and his two children. Clara was four years old at the time, and Charlie was still an infant.…
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