I have an eight-year-old son now. He’s skinny, like I was. He’s (mostly) gentle, a rule follower, and he prefers playing with Legos by himself in his bedroom and please stay out unless you are offering food.
Check, check and check – just like I used to be.
I remember late on Saturday afternoons, when I was his age, I would hear my dad shouting out of the farmhouse. His voice moved like a ripple. Continue reading “Theology is No Substitute for Time Spent Waiting Under an Oak Tree”
I’m Uncle Sam
I’m Uncle Sam
Uncle Sam is who I am
That Uncle Sam! That Uncle Sam! I do not like that Uncle Sam!
Do you like your debt with ham?
I do not like it, Uncle Sam. I do not like my debt with ham.
Continue reading “The Debt Ceiling According to Dr. Seuss”
Three vehicles moved cautiously up the long, stone driveway – it curved through the woods like a loose thread. They approached the large cabin, drove around behind it, then parked, and for a moment everything sat in complete silence. But not for long.
The vehicles’ doors popped or slid open, spilling the shouts of children out into the wilderness. Soon seven adults and nine kids (ages 8, 8, 7, 6, 5, 3, 2, 2 and 6 weeks) scurried back and forth from van or Jeep or Suburban to the front door of the cabin like a line of ants from their hill to a fumbled peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Except in this case the ants weren’t carrying crumbs, but suitcases and sleeping bags and swimming gear.
Continue reading “Our Vacation, and the Sea Monster”
I recently met Chuck Holt and was immediately bowled over by his generosity and passion to alleviate poverty. More about him at the bottom of the post – today he blogs about the importance of having others around to support you while you go after your dream:
I spotted it in the shallow end of the pool and walked over to see what it was. The sun’s reflection made the dull can shine, inviting to any little boy. At that moment I went over to check it out. Little did I know that this decision would affect me for years to come. I remember that day like it was yesterday even though it was almost 40 years ago. I was 5 years old and my family was at a public pool.
I was always the kind of child that pushed the envelope. No wonder that now my favorite phrase is “If you’re not living life on the edge, you’re taking up too much space!” Most of the people had left and it was just my mom, her friend, my sister and me (and the life guard).
Continue reading “When Your Dream Comes From Drowning”
Leigh recently made one of those breathtaking decisions you rarely hear about – she quit her job to go after her dream. Check out how that is currently working out for her here, then go over to her blog to find out more (link at the bottom of the page):
I didn’t quite believe authors when they mentioned their characters changing the direction of their story. If you’re the one writing, then how can a figment of your imagination change the plot without your permission.
Yet, here I am, just a couple of chapters into my own work in progress. My character’s family was going to be warm and loving but little miss Olivia wasn’t having it. She’s allowed a few relatives to make the grade but the rest belong in the type A, controlling camp. Definitely not what I expected.
Continue reading “When Your Dream Leads You Into the Dark”
Caleb is one of the more talented bloggers out there. He’s also one of my favorite writers that live right here in Central PA. Check out his take on how our own personal dreams can sometimes cause chaos in the lives of those we love:
My dad’s a funeral director. In fact, my father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather and great-great-great-grandfather on both my paternal and maternal sides have been funeral directors. All that makes me a thoroughbred, I guess.
But for two weeks in my childhood, my dad was something other than an undertaker.
Continue reading “When Your Dream is Everyone Else’s Nightmare”
