Modern Family used to be appointment viewing for Lauren and me—we frequently watched it and another show or two with friends, usually while sharing dinner. A number of its episode themes have become shorthand for us. For example, Lauren had occasion to say to me two weekends ago, “Did I just wedge salad you?” ThisContinue reading “Coke Zero Orange Cream is Delicious . . . Just Ask Carrie”
Tag Archives: Marriage
Launch of Memory Lane
I’ve finally finished Memory Lane, a project that I’ve chipped away at over a number of years since the early days of the pandemic. On this site, I wrote a large number of stories that dated from my earliest memories and came up to the then-present day. There wasn’t a lot of rhyme, rhythm, orContinue reading “Launch of Memory Lane”
Quoth the Raven: Fear Me Forevermore
When I was a missionary, I spent five months with an elder who was a quarter Cherokee and who grew up on the reservation in North Carolina. We were going from house to house and knocking doors near Occidental College, and as we approached the porch of a small yellow house, my companion froze. “HoldContinue reading “Quoth the Raven: Fear Me Forevermore”
All the Promises We Make
Lauren and I got engaged in her final semester at BYU. In the waning days of that semester, she was drafting a huge paper on Eleanor Roosevelt and advice columns she used to write. I was an English major and writer, so Lauren asked me to read her paper and offer comments. It was probablyContinue reading “All the Promises We Make”
Massive Head Wound Harry Takes a Trip
I woke up the morning after the fall with the head wrap still in place and only a little blood in the gauze. Great first aid by me, if I say so myself. As we got ready to head out for our morning walk, Lauren said, “I hope you’re planning to take that thing off,”Continue reading “Massive Head Wound Harry Takes a Trip”
Kids, Do Not Try This at Home
After a hiatus to write a novel, I am back and with stories more devastating than ever. You know the old saying: no poorly executed good deed goes unpunished. A couple weeks ago, Lauren drove Lindsay to western NY to connect with the family of Lindsay’s boyfriend. When I finished work and dinner, I hadContinue reading “Kids, Do Not Try This at Home”
Lessons from the Plane
I’ve been on a number of planes lately—to and from Salt Lake City twice and to and from Hawaii. As you probably know, the planes are all jammed, the space between seats is small, there’s almost no way to sleep sitting up, the food is criminal, and people’s behavior is wildly divergent—some realize we’re allContinue reading “Lessons from the Plane”
The Venn Diagram of Marriage
Nothing says twenty-five years of marriage like taking a red-eye home from an event for your children, so naturally, that’s what we did on our special day. Lucia’s college graduation was this past week, so we made the trek to Hawaii for the occasion. We watched her walk across the stage and so forth, andContinue reading “The Venn Diagram of Marriage”
Sad Easter
When Lauren was with Lindsay at Lock Haven after the surgery, she realized she had to tend to some Easter matters or she would miss the date. Specifically, she needed to order Mrs. Cavanaugh’s mindy mint Easter eggs for all the kids. Inasmuch as she was in Lindsay’s dorm room and Lindsay was present, LaurenContinue reading “Sad Easter”
How Lauren Is Helping Me Accelerate My Weight Loss Journey
On Sunday, I was in the front yard playing with Dobby when Lauren texted me. L: I’m working on the grocery order for tomorrow. Do you need anything? G: Chicken, steak tips, and vegetables. The stuff I use to prep for lunches. L: Okay Simple enough. I start off weeks by cutting up a bunchContinue reading “How Lauren Is Helping Me Accelerate My Weight Loss Journey”
His Smile Lit Up a Room and Other Things to Say at My Funeral 