“At every crossroads there are at least two choices: to view your circumstances as a calamity, or to view it as an incredible opportunity.” from the book Chop Wood, Carry Water by Joshua Medcalf. I was fortunate to read this book last week, and the timing couldn’t have been better. How could I, how could…
Author: Mark
Reece and the Great Penguin Race
Look what I dusted off the shelf! My blog! It’s back, well at least sort of. I’ve been working on a children’s story, and thought I’d share a portion of it on a day when uncertainty and apprehension seem to be the norm. This is still a work in progress, but would love to hear…
The Best 3 Minutes of the Day
What can you do in just 3 minutes? I’ve been asking myself that question a lot lately. It’s really hard to think of much. Read a newspaper article? Maybe, if it’s short. Take a quick shower? We often have to do that, what with us living in a house that seems remarkably uninfested by hot…
Eclipse can’t block long arm of the law
The buildup for the eclipse had been building up all summer, and we were more susceptible than most. It had all the elements for an event that we would enjoy: the sun, the moon, staring longingly at the sky. Oh, and some really gnarly sun glasses that I thought were broke because I couldn’t see…
Dog’s Unusual Name Causes Confusion
In honor of my aunt Shirley who passed away last week, I’m re-posting one of my most popular blog posts. I hope you enjoy. Several years ago, my wife, daughter, and I lived in a small town next to a church, where I served as the youth director. One day, we found a beautiful border…
Just a moment
“What two colors make cyan,” I asked. Not your typical question at the dinner table, but my son and I were at Chili’s and were playing Trivia Crack on my phone. “It’s sigh-uhn,” said my son, emphasizing the second syllable. “Yes, that’s right,” I said, missing his point. “What two colors make sigh-ann?” I asked again.…
I Eat 3 Filet-O-Fish Sandwiches a Year . . . Whether I Want To or Not
Bears know when to hibernate, fish know when to shed their skin, and cats know when to use the bathroom in your suitcase (well, mine does). Nature has equipped creatures around the world with an internal clock to know when to do IMPORTANT STUFF. I’m no exception. Nature has given me an invaluable gift – the ability…
Wrestling with Writer’s Block
There was a time when, quite smugly, when I would laugh when I read about or someone told me they were suffering from, writer’s block. I didn’t laugh out loud. Instead, I would have a concerned look on my face and nod gravely, much like a doctor listening to the symptoms of a patient. But…
Downward trend in American values traced to deficiency in apple pie
Are you sitting down. If not, you need to. Because what I’m about to tell you is shocking and (yes, I’m not afraid to admit it) deeply disturbing. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, or maybe heard on the news, that some of our American values may be slipping. That we as a country might…
Learning to Shave
“Dad, I think I need to learn how to shave.” I had known those word were coming in the near future. I had noticed that my son had something growing on his upper lip that was something a little more noticeable than the residue of chocolate milk. Now keep in mind, this is coming from…
Holding together the jello 