Days of Thunder

March 28, 2020 Last night, Chicago experienced one of our first thunderstorms. It was mild, as spring showers go, with only a half hour of good rumbles. Rory (pictured here as a composed figure in the right) has developed, in his advanced age, an aversion to loud noises. And as the elder role model has… Continue reading Days of Thunder

The Magic Shovel

July 1, 2018 The education of my daughter into the ways of the world continues… Julia: I went outside and Rory was very actively licking something out in the yard. I went over, and saw that he had caught a rabbit. Me: And he was licking it? Julia: Licked it to death, apparently. It was… Continue reading The Magic Shovel

D’oh!

5/12/2018 Julia: Dad, how do you spell dough?Me: D-o-h…actually D-‘-o-hJulia: No, Dad, dough like…Me: D-o-e?Julia: No. Dough! Like bread!Me Ohh. D-o-u-g-h. Just like the money.

Making Memories

“Take your daughter out sailing,” she said.  “Make some memories”… The wind was blowing out of the south/southwest, and according to my cell phone weather program, was going at eleven or twelve miles per hour.  That’s a pretty strong wind for an experienced crew, and Julia was far from experienced.  But looking at the flag… Continue reading Making Memories

Where’s the Arch?

The wonderment of childish in-sight (and out again)… My family relocated to St. Louis at the end of February.  Well, actually, we haven’t moved to St. Louis any more than we moved here from Chicago.  We actually moved from Aurora, IL to Ellisville, MO.  It is now the beginning of June, and we’re finally getting… Continue reading Where’s the Arch?

Good-bye, Grandpa

My grandfather recently passed away.  This is how that event has meshed with our lives. My grandfather passed away on October 20, 1998 at the ripe old age of 91 years.  He lived a long life, and with the possible exception of the last three years, it was a happy one.  The following is my… Continue reading Good-bye, Grandpa

Crash Course

The day I learned to ski on snow… There’s nothing quite like downhill skiing.  The wind in your face.  The sound of your skis swooshing through powder.  The feeling of control as you glide over the pristine white landscape…  Okay, maybe not the feeling of control…how about the illusion of control.  The illusion that threatens… Continue reading Crash Course

Christine Arrives

On my daughter’s first birthday, I present the story of a labor of love… Warning: This is the story of the birth of my daughter. If you are under the age of consent in your state, you probably shouldn’t read this. If you are single, or newly married and considering having children, you probably shouldn’t… Continue reading Christine Arrives

Freudian Strip

The tale of a bizarre career-day encounter… My brother is a dancer. No, actually he’s an exotic dancer. Well, okay…he’s a stripper. Hey! somebody’s got to do it. Anyway, this form of work, coupled with his rather quirky personality combine to produce no end of anecdotal material. My parents don’t exactly approve of his chosen… Continue reading Freudian Strip

The Faucet Incident

Have toolbelt will travel. This story has everything bu the kitchen sink…oh wait, it’s got the kitchen sink too! In the interest of better faucet utilization, I had installed a swivel-head onto my kitchen faucet. For the uninitiated, this is a fixed, plastic nozzle that one can swivel about thirty degrees in any direction, and… Continue reading The Faucet Incident