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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These are not “young boys” and “kids.” They are monsters. Nothing more.
If you’re wondering what at least some (but a lot) of young Republicans in this country are saying or allowing to be said absent opposition, Read More

Snapshots of Kids Bike Jumping in the 1970s
In Charlie’s baseball game yesterday, a runner from third was heading home when the catcher received a throw from the outfield and took about five Read More

Know nothing. It’s better that way.
Clara and I went to see “One Battle After Another” last night. I went to the movie knowing nothing about the film. As we sat Read More

“All Well that Ends Well” – depending on the target of your honesty
“I begin to be aweary of thee, and I tell thee so before because I would not fall out with thee” This is a line Read More

Grossest things I’ve ever seen
A student asked another about the grossest thing she’d ever seen. Her response: “What a dumb question.” True, given we were solving math problems, but Read More

Defaulting to mom
In American society, it is often assumed that the mother is the default parent and the first contact for schools and other caregivers over children’s Read More

Magicians’s pants
I was reading aloud to my students when we came upon the word “comeuppance.” “Who knows what comeuppance means?” I asked. There was silence for Read More

Insecure, pathetic, stupid men
This is an absolute truth: Any man who “doesn’t like female comics,” or harasses female comics online, or threatens the physical safety of female comics Read More

The Gloaming
As you probably know, I write the humor column in Seasons magazine. This latest edition — Autumn 2025 — features a story about one of Read More

Unexpected in Montreal
A comic book spotted at a street fair in Quebec City: Croc was a French-language humor magazine published monthly in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, from 1979 Read More

Rue Forget
I live on Francis Drive, which is perpendicular to Francis Avenue, which is boring and dumb. Also, it can be occasionally confusing for delivery people Read More

The real luxuries
One of my students asked me why I don’t live in a mansion. “You write books. You tell stories in big places. You’re famous on Read More

I’ve arrived in Taiwan
Behold! The Taiwanese version of “Someday Is Today.” Available in stores in Taiwan soon. I’m keenly aware of the threats China has been making for Read More

Your energy is expensive
Taylor Swift said: “Think of your energy as if it’s expensive. As if it’s a luxury item. Not everyone can afford it. Not everyone has Read More

“Great question” is not so great.
You’re being interviewed on a panel, podcast, or radio show, and you get asked a question. I do quite a bit of this kind of Read More

Like father, like son
About 40 years ago, I learned to tie a necktie while watching Good Morning America. A man was showing viewers how to tie a Windsor Read More

Special teams not being treated so special
I’ve attended hundreds of Patriots games over the years. As a friend recently pointed out to me, I’m exceptionally lucky in this regard. He’s right. Read More

My Google Portrait has gone international
As of today, my Google Portrait is now available in 149 countries (including India, Japan, Germany, Brazil, and the UK). Want to find and tell Read More

Resolution update: September 2025
Every month, I record my progress toward my yearly goals to hold myself accountable and occasionally seek help and advice from readers who are willing Read More

The Shakers are booming
This may come as a surprise to many, but the fastest-growing religion in America is the Shakers. Have you heard of them? Know anything about Read More