Each school day morning, I zoom past a young crossing guard as she helps keep kids and cars apart. Without fail, she waves. We don’t know one another. I doubt she knows many of the people she greets. She is kind. She does not discriminate between return-wavers or non-wavers. She waves. And smiles. It is … More Waves
I love the mountains…almost as much as I love the tallgrass prairie and Kansas’ Konza Prairie. Lush and green. Trees; I’m a big fan. But since Sunday morning coffee, all I can think of is desert and “terrible wildness.” Sunday morning, M3 and I skidded our way to coffee as we realized all the church services had … More A Terrible Wildness
We long to belong. Recently, I invested in a purple button down shirt complete with K-State Powercat embroidered on the chest. A first. It signaled a willingness to “join in” with the folks of Purpleville. It was a ridiculously tough decision inspired by this season and the long-last realization that I am normal…I want to belong, too. … More Longing for Belonging
It is clarifying to shift from serene peaceful stream sheltered paddling to an all-out haul-biscuits effort to stay afloat, keep an eye on one’s pals, and navigate towards the goal amid the murky waters. Life in a kayak. … More 25 Things I Know
A month ago, I asked my friend, “What do you need?” and he answered me. And the month since has been a learning laboratory of open-heartedness, tears, courage, strength borrowed, bruising reality, hopefulness, and more. In a word, it has been “life” and a helluva month. It has also been full of ad hoc adventures … More A helluva month
Saturday, I walked in the early morning with heat rising towards 105 degrees. It was too humid for me to run. Walking means I take my phone and its nifty camera to capture moments of a given day and place. I’m motivated knowing we’ll never be able to meet every interesting person in every interesting … More My own Bedford Falls
A 100-Mile Stare involves looking forward as if seeing an object 100-miles away without engaging what is right before us. Recently, a friend and I spoke of his side job as VIP security for a country music festival. He mentioned how he responds to the chaos and distractions of his job – protecting the musicians from eager … More 100-Mile Stare
The wedding was this weekend. Family and pals gathered in the backyard of long-loved friends to celebrate. It was simple. Elegant. There were s’mores. Months of planning, minutes of switching gears, moments of panic and joy filled these short days. So many kindnesses. The dog with the very noble maw patiently waited for us to finally understand … More “So much good thing”
Tax Day has come and gone for me this year…and come and gone and come and gone and come and…gone. In fall of 2015, I learnt my large-chain-accountant-completed 2013 taxes had been audited and found wanting. I paid most of $1,000 for the accountant’s error towards the Federal Government and later in winter paid the … More Why I don’t hate paying taxes
A few days ago, a friend posted a picture of our 1982 JCHS debate squad following a successful tournament weekend. In the photo, we are gathered around a few trophies. Our expressions range from glee to terror to indifference. I am the terrified one. At 15, I had no idea what I wanted to do or … More Being Important v. Doing Important Work
