Full driveway, full house, full heart

Carla and I are in the stage before the empty nest, whatever that’s called. We’re not quite empty nesters because we still have one at home in high school. We’re more like intermittently semi-occupied nesters. Is that a thing? If not, I’m calling it. We’re ISONs. In this stage, our house can go from empty … Continue reading Full driveway, full house, full heart →

Projects and piddlin’

I spent Labor Day weekend with my folks in Lake Wales, Fla., and tried my best to complete as many projects as I could in three days. I don’t get down there as often as I should, and I mean no disrespect when I say this, they are at an age where they need assistance … Continue reading Projects and piddlin’ →

Mothers and sons

It seems rare for a family structure to repeat, but my family is living proof it happens. I grew up the oldest of three boys with my mom the lone female in a household of uniquely male eccentricities. I am now the parent of three boys with my wife the lone female in a similar … Continue reading Mothers and sons →

Small talk

My day job has been a relentless torrent of small talk the last few weeks. And it’s glorious. For an extrovert like me, good small talk is a renewable and infinite energy source. I readily admit I have the gift of gab, and I feed off of the social interchange. What I find so appealing … Continue reading Small talk →

Do you know where your children are?

In the middle of a recent busy working weekend, I suddenly realized I had no idea where my children were. Now that’s not really a big deal because my boys are 23, 18 and 15, but it struck me as rare. Even the two older ones who are off at college are usually where I … Continue reading Do you know where your children are? →

Dream weaver

I am not much of a dreamer. That’s not to say I don’t have hopes and dreams like any normal person. I just mean I don’t tend to dream much during my sleeping. Or, more accurately, I haven’t typically remembered my dreams when I wake up. How I imagine people imagine me dreaming based on … Continue reading Dream weaver →

Ain’t no party like an 80th birthday party

I recognize that we have just emerged from a festive season, but in my world, the holidays were just the warm up for some truly historic occasions. Last week we celebrated my mother-in-law’s 80th birthday, and my dad’s 80th is just around the corner. All of the forethought and planning that have gone into acknowledging … Continue reading Ain’t no party like an 80th birthday party →