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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Surprise! No phones but grat 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
It only took me 53 years to learn this.
Did you know that… Chip is a nickname for a guy named after his dad. “Chip off the old block.” Skip is a nickname for Read More
Zuckerberg’s fragility on display
The supplication of Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg has been both transparent, disappointing, and pathetic — a desperate attempt to gain the good graces of Donald Trump. Read More
Underwear problem solved!
I’m golfing in Orlando with friends this weekend. I flew from Connecticut on Friday night and arrived after well after midnight. When I finally made Read More
The rationale behind sexism
The United States Army hit its recruiting goals last year for the first time in several years, breaking a slump worrying Pentagon brass. The reason? Read More
Networking need not be awful
I was playing in a cornhole tournament a few years ago with a friend. Amid our abject failure — we finished in last place — Read More
Cut from the same cloth
Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for secretary of defense, has quite the resume. He’s voiced strong opposition to removing the names of Confederate generals Read More
The wildfires of Los Angeles: Perspective and survival
On Monday, I learned that wildfires destroyed two of my clients’ homes in Los Angeles. Another client has evacuated his home, and his family is Read More
