Last winter, we were driving Graham home from Plymouth when he asked, “What’s for dinner?” It was dark and cold, and route 44 stretched out like a black ribbon ahead of us. “Chicken pot pie soup,” Lauren said. “Chicken pot pie?” said Graham. “Soup,” said Lauren. “Chicken pot pie soup.” “What is that?” I said.Continue reading “Just Say No to Chicken Pot Pie Soup”
Category Archives: Adult Years
Brand New Czar
The kids and I frequently trade texts about music—they’ll each send me something they just heard and say, “Check this out, it’s awesome” or “This song goes hard” or “Sooooo goood.” A few months ago, I stumbled on “Czar” by Busta Rhymes. Yeah, I know Busta is old, but Lucia and Lindsay both like ninetiesContinue reading “Brand New Czar”
I Am Here for All the Healing
In my last job, I traveled an average of once a week, and in my present job, I travel almost monthly now. I consider myself expert—I am TSA precheck and also part of Clear, I have earbuds and a charging cord ready for all Delta flights, I pack lean and can fit everything into aContinue reading “I Am Here for All the Healing”
You Don’t Make Gains by Eating Salad
Years ago and somewhat against my will (a story for another day), I was training for the Hartford Marathon. It was a gorgeous morning in early September, and I had just finished a nineteen-mile run. I staggered down my street, drenched in sweat, my knees and ankles aching. A neighbor was out watering his lawn—IContinue reading “You Don’t Make Gains by Eating Salad”
The Sunday Night Draper of Eternity
Lauren and I used to watch Mad Men on Sunday nights, but the show was so relentlessly dark and my moods were so blue that I tapped out about halfway through the series. A year or two later, I was reading a Q&A by sportswriter and owner of Grantland (now The Ringer) Bill Simmons inContinue reading “The Sunday Night Draper of Eternity”
How to Celebrate a Teen Boy’s Birthday: Chick Talk, Potty Humor, Wiener Jokes
The first of Graham’s buddies arrived on the dot at five pm. Lindsay and I were in the front room with the Iron Bowl on, and within two minutes, Lindsay looked at me and said, “Oh my gosh, it’s already so loud and only one of them is here.” Four more arrived within fifteen minutes,Continue reading “How to Celebrate a Teen Boy’s Birthday: Chick Talk, Potty Humor, Wiener Jokes”
Kendrick Lamar, Taylor Swift, and Me: The Observer Effect
In physics, scientists have to account for the observer effect—that is, the observation of something fundamentally changes its state. This is particularly important in the study of quantum mechanics. A common example for us lay people is taking a tire pressure—doing so reduces the tire’s pressure. Likewise, in physics, observing non-luminous material typically requires theContinue reading “Kendrick Lamar, Taylor Swift, and Me: The Observer Effect”
Satan Has a Lousy Job but Someone Has to Do It
For years, I’ve told people, “Be grateful for Satan—it’s a lousy job but someone has to do it.” In Latter-day Saint theology, opposition to righteousness is absolutely required: “For it must needs, that there is an opposition in all things” (2 Nephi 2:11). According to the prophet who said this, without opposition there can beContinue reading “Satan Has a Lousy Job but Someone Has to Do It”
Dark Kermit and Fried Turkeys
Years ago, Grant was a freshman at Silver Lake Regional High School. Midway through the season, he was called up to the varsity to play defensive line. This meant that he got to ditch halftime band performances where he was supposed to play clarinet. He saw a lot of action in the Thanksgiving game, whichContinue reading “Dark Kermit and Fried Turkeys”
Tradition and the Many First Thanksgivings
My sister-in-law Lee has lived all over the United States ranging from Boston to Provo to Tallahassee to Big Rapids (that’s in Michigan) to Cherry Hills (New Jersey, near Philly). Wherever she moves she then claims that her current home is the site of the first Thanksgiving. Then she cites obscure facts to back itContinue reading “Tradition and the Many First Thanksgivings”
His Smile Lit Up a Room and Other Things to Say at My Funeral 