Early in the pandemic, we canceled our membership to the YMCA and bought a treadmill. It was more than just a Dick’s Sporting Goods treadmill—we were told it was a grade just below a gym treadmill. For a year or so, it worked fine. But then it developed some curious traits. The deck seemed toContinue reading “Treadmill, Deadmill, Dreadmill”
Tag Archives: Sons
Walking Pickett’s Charge and Catching Pokemons, but not Fish
Years ago, I worked with the American Battlefield Trust to create an augmented reality app. It’s a free download on the app store. We returned to Gettysburg on Saturday, and while Graham ran ten miles, the rest of us hiked Pickett’s Charge. Before we started, we assembled at the step-off point of the Virginians justContinue reading “Walking Pickett’s Charge and Catching Pokemons, but not Fish”
Mo Would Not Make It to the Gettysburg Address
Thursday night, we were winding down in the hotel—the kids were taking turns in the restroom, getting their showers, brushing teeth, etc. Eli got frustrated with his twin, and exclaimed, “Geez, Emma. You are slower than molasses.” He paused a moment, then said, “I really don’t know who this ‘Molasses’ is, but I guess thatContinue reading “Mo Would Not Make It to the Gettysburg Address”
The Waffle Stomp Is Still Unsolved, and Life Is Not Fair
Wednesday morning, we embarked on the Laws cousin roadtrip to take in Antietam and Gettysburg. We had a solid eight-hour drive to Hagerstown, Maryland, where I had booked our hotels. The ride was amazing, incredible even. And by amazing, I mean, “Wow, I didn’t know this was possible,” and by incredible, I mean, “You willContinue reading “The Waffle Stomp Is Still Unsolved, and Life Is Not Fair”
A Camp Cliffhanger
Last Monday, Graham headed to Church camp, which was held at University of New England in Biddeford, Maine. He stayed in the dorms, and his buddy Elijah was his roommate. He had his phone and could use it whenever. His updates from camp the entire week were as follows. MondayGraham: Some of the kids inContinue reading “A Camp Cliffhanger”
The Lonely Grandmothering Preview
The family of Lindsay’s boyfriend, Carson, joined us for the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Our eastern Pennsylvania visitors included, oldest to youngest, Chad, Carrie, Carson, and Griffin. Griffin is entering eighth grade and started the visit off with a bang—he marched in wearing a hideous Philadelphia 76ers hat. Tactical error on his part. “Wow,Continue reading “The Lonely Grandmothering Preview”
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”
For Better or Worse, God is in the Details
I have heard members of my religion exclaim that “God is in the details” and “God micromanages our lives” and “we should turn it all over to God.” I start almost every day ready to turn it all over to God and go back to bed, but I suppose that’s not how it works. TheContinue reading “For Better or Worse, God is in the Details”
Let Us Now Praise Track Athletes
Graham had a dual meet on Tuesday against nearby track rival Marshfield. His buddy Jack, a sophomore on his team, had been promising to beat him in the eight hundred, and finally they squared off. With three hundred meters to go, Graham passed Jack, but on the final curve, Jack ran Graham down. I wasContinue reading “Let Us Now Praise Track Athletes”
How to Know the Lesson Is Not Boring
This past Sunday, the local Church leadership asked me to teach the young men ages 12 to 18. I got about one day’s notice but I was a seminary teacher for four years, so whatever, I agreed. For the Latter-Day Saints out there, the lesson was about King Benjamin’s address. Most teachers focus on hisContinue reading “How to Know the Lesson Is Not Boring”
His Smile Lit Up a Room and Other Things to Say at My Funeral 