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Siblings

There was a moment when I thought that one child was more than enough. Clara was about two-years old, she was cute as a button, and I thought our family was just right. In fact, had it not been for Elysha’s desire for two kids, Clara might be an only child today. Can you imagine…

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I don’t see stuff

A couple days ago, one of my colleagues pointed at the #21 on my classroom door and said, “Are you going to remove that number at some point?” For the 18 years that I’ve been in my classroom, the room number has never been #21. This is a number from a bygone day. But here’s…

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Nostalgia in the Pacific Northwest

While visiting friends in Washington two weeks ago, we stopped by Sprinkles, an ice cream shop decorated in nostalgia. Sitting along one wall of the store were the monoliths of my childhood: Video games. I spend many hours and many thousands of dollars playing Defender, Pole Position, Pac Man, and many, many others. There was…

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What’s Next? Brand New Challenging Life Goals (UPDATED)

Last night I received an email from myself. Two years ago, I apparently wrote a list entitled “What’s Next? Brand New Challenging Life Goals.” Then I attached this to an email that was set to land in my inbox last night with the instructions from my past self to review and update. I have no…

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A great problem to have. BUT STILL A PROBLEM.

This is one of those moments when I’m going to apologize for complaining about something that really shouldn’t be a complaint. While visiting Pike Market in Seattle a couple weeks ago, we stopped in a great, little bookstore called Lion Heart Books, where we were thoroughly entertained by the owner, David Ghoddousi. His store didn’t…

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Speak Up Storytelling: The Tragedy of Seattle

On episode #62 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and Elysha Dicks talk storytelling! A little bit.  In our follow-up segment, we explain the tragedies that caused us to be absent for the last three weeks. We also congratulate our friends in Australia on their first storytelling show!  Next we offer a new strategy…

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The Tragedy of Seattle: An Abbreviated Episode

On episode #62 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and Elysha Dicks talk storytelling! A little bit.  In our follow-up segment, we explain the tragedies that caused us to be absent for the last three weeks. We also congratulate our friends in Australia on their first storytelling show!  Next we offer a new strategy…

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Love me a good sign

We were visiting Deception Pass State Park in Washington when I saw this sign along a trail leading down to the turbulent waters of Puget Sound. I’m not sure if it’s the guilelessness of the text or the clarity of the image (or perhaps a combination of the two), but I love this sign so…

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Speak to strangers

On Wednesday night I’m standing at baggage claim in Bradley International Airport, waiting for the luggage carousel to begin turning,. It’s 10:00 PM. We left our friend’s home on the west coast at 5:30 AM, so it’s been a long day. I’m mentally urging my bags to appear when Clara sees a girl about her…

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Since returning from the Pacific Northwest, I’ve noticed this.

Elysha, the kids, and I had the absolute pleasure of spending a week on Whidbey Island off the coast of Washington with our friend, Plato. A perfect way to spend a week. We miss it already. Since returning from the Pacific Northwest a couple of days ago, a few things are immediately apparent to me:…

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