Archive for January 2022

The past couple years have been hard on all of us. Recognizing the challenges of the past year – which included COVID-19 infections, a major surgery, political and social unrest, and some unbelievable tragedies, I put some thought into the things that kept me going when times were especially hard. I was hoping that the…

Elysha and I were listening to Ear Hustle, a podcast about the daily realities of life inside prison, shared by those living it, as well as stories from the outside prison, post-incarceration. It’s a favorite of ours. A fascinating look at the life of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people. Having been to jail but thankfully…

A surprising number of people were curious about the free prize inside my box of Jesus-themed bandages, which Elysha gave me for Christmas. I was curious, too, but I like to prolong a surprise, knowing that the moment just before the reveal is almost always better than the reveal itself. But succumbing to curiosity, I…

Paul Simon wrote a song entitled “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover,” then he didn’t come close to offering the 50 ways. In fact, as far as I can tell, he only offers six alternatives to leaving your lover, and they all suck. Just slip out the back, Jack… So just leave without even saying…

When I was quarantined and isolated from the family (prior to discovering that they were positive for COVID-19 as well), I had two places to go: The bedroom, which I quickly grew to hate, and my office, which felt like a tiny prison. But at least with its French doors, I was able to see…

At the start of every year, I begin a list called “Moments of Note.” Unlike my trademarked “Homework for Life” strategy, I’m not looking for storyworthy moments for my “Moments of Note” list. I’m not recording the amazing and terrible things said by my children, the changes in the way that I think, or realizations…

In this current, seemingly overwhelming wave of the pandemic, as we approach the anniversary of the January 6 attack and attempted insurrection at the US Capitol, it’s easy to feel pessimistic about our future and decidedly negative about the previous year. Prior to the rise of the delta and omicron variants, it was looking like…

Fascinating chart. Blue line: Daily COVID-19 cases in the United States from April through November 2021 Red line: Reviews of Yankee Candles on Amazon saying “they don’t have any scent” from that same time period. Turns out there is a strong correlation between COVID-19 infection and Americans’ inability to smell the scents of Yankee Candles.…

New Year’s Day.   I’m locked away in quarantine, missing Charlie (and Elysha Dicks and Clara, too), so I decide to text him.   Charlie’s just 9 years-old, so he doesn’t own a phone, but he can text with me via his iPad on the home’s WiFi network. I want to tell him that I…

At the beginning of every year I establish a list of goals (or New Year’s resolutions) for the coming calendar year. I post this list on my blog and social media as a means of holding myself accountable. I recommend this to everyone. I’ve been engaged in this process since 2010, and I am convinced…