GRIN & BARE IT
Read (and subscribe to) Grin and Bare It, my daily blog on storytelling, productivity, current events, teaching, my family, and other musings.
I have been posting to this blog every day since 2005.
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Clara’s favorite sentence
It’s 6:30 AM on a Tuesday. The sun has yet to rise. I’m sitting at my laptop, working on a client document. Clara is across Read More
I want some plaques
I performed at The Iron Horse in Northampton last month — my first time in this storied location. While I was sitting, waiting to take Read More
I’m happy to tell the Democrats how to fight
If the Democrats ever decide to go on offense and combat some of the authoritarian, cruel, and deceitful actions being undertaken by Trump and his Read More
Craving an audience
A solitary sunfish at an aquarium in southwestern Japan lost its appetite, began banging into the side of the fish tank, and appeared unwell days Read More
Jump scares marketed properly
Introducing TabBoo… A Chrome extension designed to add random jumpscares to websites you’re trying to avoid. In the words of TabBoo’s marketing: “You’re stuck in Read More
Sad bananas
Bananas are sold in bunches, but when a banana falls off the bunch before it hits grocery store shelves, the grocer has a problem: People Read More
Quitters never win
Charlie has launched a YouTube channel called Rails Across New England, charting his new obsession with rail fanning: Watching and recording trains as they pass Read More
Surprise! No phones but great photos!
I made a lot of excellent decisions when planning Elysha’s surprise party. Preserving the surprise was one of them — probably the most important and Read More
A perfect dedication
A friend from my McDonald’s managing days sent me this dedication that he found in the book he’s reading: “For anyone who has ever cried Read More
3,700 miles apart
As you probably know, the Atlantic Ocean didn’t always exist. During the time of the dinosaurs, South America and Africa were joined as one land Read More
Resolution update: January 2025
Every month, I record my progress on my yearly goals to hold myself accountable and occasionally seek help and advice from readers willing to offer Read More
I had a cavity filled and was shocked by the procedure.
I had a cavity, which is crazy. I didn’t know adults could get cavities. I brush my teeth two and sometimes three times a day, Read More
Chalk up one for America’s public servants
If you’re paying even minor attention to the news these days, you may find it deeply unsettling. Even if you voted for Trump, you must Read More
Dry January is boring
Dry January is nearly over. Thank goodness. I’m not opposed to abstaining from alcohol. I’ve been doing so for the last 30 years. Other than Read More
Do it BECAUSE other people aren’t doing it
When someone says that you or your organization shouldn’t do something because no one else is doing it, seriously consider: Shouldn’t we be doing it Read More
Sweet sixteen
Clara turned 16 years old this weekend. On Saturday night, eight of her friends came over to celebrate with pizza, cake, a movie, and a Read More
Move forward with an open mind. Also, “Moana 2” sucks.
Disney began developing “Moana 2” as a miniseries for Disney+ in 2020. During the animation process, the filmmakers were so impressed with the footage that Read More
Progresso Soup Drops: More than meets the eye
General Mills’ Progresso brand is rolling out a hard candy that tastes like its soups in a limited-time offering: Progresso Soup Drops: Lozenges that possess Read More
Thank goodness for great writers
I love great writers. Folks who can assemble sentences to produce clarity, concision, and the desperate desire to read the next sentence bring joy to Read More
Mistakes are valuable
Football coaching legend Nick Saban said: “Negative experiences without teaching kills morale.” Yes. Absolutely. Could not agree more. I tell my students — multiple times Read More
