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.
- All
- Books
- Family
- Gratitude
- Uncategorized
My 15 year storytelling anniversary!
Yesterday marked my 15-year anniversary in storytelling. Little did I know how important this day would be in my life. Truly, it was one of Read More
Kevin needs help
I listen to “The Indicator” — a short, economics-based podcast produced by NPR. On Monday’s episode, young Americans trying to decide whether to purchase a Read More
Team logos
Washington has a history of choosing controversial names. The Washington Wizards of the NBA were originally the Washington Bullets until 1997, when they rebranded themselves Read More
Thank you!
TIME assets that the thank-you note is not dead. No duh. I wrote more thank-you notes than anyone I know. I’m in the midst of Read More
Another portion of my retirement speech
It turns out that after spending 27 years in the same school — and 25 years in the same classroom — a lot of things Read More
Friendly’s sad history of sad slogans
A list of slogans from Friendly’s restaurants over the years: 1979–1982 “You’re in for a nice surprise.” 1985–1989 “There’s no place like home.” 2010–2013 “Oh, Read More
The lowest forms of communication
Below are the 13 lowest forms of communication. The worst of the worst. Avoid at all costs. _____________________________________ 1. The demanded apology 2. The absence Read More
Best scene of TV all year
Looking for a way to entertain an audience? Pay attention to what everyone else is doing or has done, and choose a different path. The Read More
Cheat code
Looking for a cheat code in life? Check out this video on the way Americans have spent their time from 1920 through today. It’s fascinating. Read More
The boys at the Big Swim Meet
This bit of newspaper was printed circa 1930. It describes the “Big Swimming Meet” at Yawgoog Scout Reservation, the same place where I would spend Read More
Soccer versus football
A word about the word “soccer.” The word “soccer” is a British invention, so the word originates from the place where soccer originated: England Soccer Read More
Three reasons I don’t like soccer
A friend asked me if I was enjoying the World Cup. “I don’t like soccer,” I told him. “I kind of hate it.” He looked Read More
My proposed gravestone
The Moth recently asked what you would like inscribed on your gravestone when you die in conjunction with a Main Stage show in Brooklyn’s Greenwood Read More
Pranking adventure
Back in the fall of 2021, I invented a child named Andrew. My colleague, Kelly Lynn, was constantly speaking about her daughter in such glowing Read More
Resolution update: June 2026
Every month, I record my progress toward my yearly goals to hold myself accountable and, occasionally, seek help and advice from readers willing to offer Read More
Pickle with a purpose
Here’s another gift given to me at my retirement party: A bag full of things I despise and don’t need. Pickles in so many forms. Read More
How to annoy a child
As an elementary school teacher for the past 27 years, I have learned a great deal about children. I have a wealth of knowledge and Read More
He knows me
Many of my former students attended my retirement party, including a boy named Ryo, whom I taught this year, Ryo came up to me with Read More
The Tyranny of the Ice Cream Truck
My latest humor column in Seasons magazine on The Tyranny of the Ice Cream Truck
Notes on my retirement posts
A few notes from my recent posts on my retirement party: Three people contacted me to express hope that my former school administration will read Read More
