Feeling My Age

My lawnmower is gone. He moved away to college. With his departure, my wife and I took off the business casual clothing of active parents and slid into the comfortable shorts and Hawaiian shirts of empty-nesters. And you know what? It’s weird.
Really.
In the evenings, we no longer have to make sure [...]

The Phases of my Sons

 For on-going, ever-changing, cheap home entertainment, nothing beats having children. Well, not cheap exactly. If you’re planning to have a child, you’d best be prepared to pay medical costs, daycare, the cover prices for a vast array of comprehensive parenting manuals which contain mutually-contradictory advice, pre-school testing fees, school enrollment fees, school picture fees, school [...]

A Traveler’s Tale

Much of human history is concerned with the way that people get from one place to another.  Our earliest ancestors traveled on foot, braving the elements and risking attack by wild animals and really nasty blisters.  Some forgotten genius came up with the idea of riding on animals and things improved.  Somebody else (the Phoenicians, [...]

Credit Card (Dis)Services

I was recently treated to a few minutes of humiliation by my credit card company.  “No charge,” they said.  “It’s just a courtesy service we provide.”
Courtesy?  That was like an angry cowboy mob telling a rustler “No charge for the noose.  It’s just a courtesy service we provide.”
They rejected my card.
I’d have preferred something less [...]

Hiking Tips

It’s summer and for a lot of you that means exploring the great outdoors on foot.  You’ve probably already planned the routes you want to hike and the wondrous destinations you want to see.  Right this moment you’re probably heading out the door with your gear.
Let me give you a word of advice.
Don’t.
It’s crazy.
Hiking is [...]