I have lived in cardboard lately. Not like those who actually do have a box that shelters them from the weather—I’m not homeless. For that I am grateful, but truth be told, there is a certain sense of homelessness when one moves. What was home for a long time is packed away in cardboard boxes, … Continue reading Cardboard Chaos
10 for 10. If you can do that in the batter’s box, you will make a fortune. If you can do that from the free throw line, you are on a streak. If you can do that passing a football, odds are that you are making progress down the field and making your fans happy. … Continue reading Bone of My Bone
Moving feels like it takes forever! At least it was feeling that way to me. Laura and I were clearing the house where we had lived for 16 years—not exactly forever, but no small amount of time either. It’s a hard job to go through that many years of memories. The moving trucks had already … Continue reading 30 Seconds Please
I do not say ‘Goodbye’ anymore. Last year in Alaska I learned ‘a hui hou’ from some dear friends from Hawai’i. It means something more along the line of ‘till we meet again,’ but it is definitely not ‘Goodbye.’ This year in Metlakatla I learned that they have a similar expression although it is in … Continue reading Fond Farewells
I have made my way to Alaska once again. It takes a bit to travel that distance. Along the way there are ‘planes, trains, and automobiles.’ In addtion to those, once you are in Alaska there is almost certainly going to be a boat or ship involved. There’s lots of water up here, so one … Continue reading Traveling Companions
Alaska. The name has always had some kind of hold on me. When I was a boy I can remember looking at pictures of snow-covered mountains and glaciers and polar bears and endless forests—always thinking that this was somewhere I should see. I thought that the ‘Last Frontier’ sounded like the place for a young … Continue reading Some Places Call Your Name
When in Rome ... We can all finish that statement. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. I have never been to Rome, so I can not personally verify the claim. But it makes a good bit of sense in one way. We are products of where we find ourselves. Our location goes … Continue reading You Are Where You Are
I have always had a fascination with planning. For as long as I can remember I have made plans for what I wanted the future to look like. I have tried to envision the future in various sized blocks—what do I want to accomplish this week; what I do I want to achieve this year; … Continue reading Focus!
On my birthday this year I had to go in to renew my driver’s license. I was turning 60 and the state of Tennessee decided that I needed to check in physically rather than just mail it in. An appearance was mandated. A trip to the DMV will reveal something about our character. Do … Continue reading Danger at the DMV
I am the youngest of four children. One of the advantages of being the youngest is that you already have older siblings ready to help take care of you. As the youngest you get the chance to be both the object of affection and jealousy all at the same time; you get built-in baby sitters … Continue reading Time to Speak Up
Character in the Making 