20 Years of Self Delusion
“History teaches us that men behave wisely once they’ve exhausted all other alternatives.” Some quotes feel like they were written with me in mind. This one from Still Crazy might as well have my name on it….
A $314 Wake Up Call
These words have always been a source of comfort, a reassurance in life’s uncertainties. But that Wednesday afternoon, I would discover just how deeply I needed them….
A Bit of the Griswolds in Us All
Vacations—especially family ones—are less perfect adventure and more chaotic comedy. I chase the “happy upcoming thing”—autumn, holidays, spring break—but the escape often turns into a mess. Cruises rain disappointments: rough seas, thin tissues, missing salt shakers. Yet those ruined moments—a laugh with waiters, pepper shakers that aren’t even real—become the ones you remember. Just like the Griswolds, joy often hides…
A Brunch of Thoughts
In a neighborhood of big houses, our modest starter home became the gathering spot for our boys’ friends. Maybe it wasn’t the square footage, but the warmth. Contentment isn’t in extravagance—it’s found in the quiet places that feel like home….
Big Assumptions, Big Risks
The decision to reopen schools came with a sense of urgency, as if the only way forward was to return to “normal.” But it was normal with masks, daily health checks, and a lot of uncertainty. Parents and teachers were left to balance the promises of stability with the real risks of exposure. The trade-off wasn’t just numbers on a…
Clouds, Coffee, and Contentment
On our last morning at sea, I watched a sunrise break through gray skies while an older couple walked by hand in hand. That simple scene broke through me. Back in our cabin, Becky and I shared coffee as the world began moving again. We ate a fancy brunch that felt both absurd and perfect—soups poured with flair, fruit towers,…