My son, Hans, called me. Hans is an Iraq War vet (2011 deployment). He likes to talk to me about his work (he pumps concrete for a living down in Continue Reading
The Navigator and the Aviator
My friend lent me a book to read. It's called The Wayfinders: Why Ancient Wisdom Matters in the Modern World, by Wade Davis (House of Anansi Press). Continue Reading
Kind of Feral
While we were in Texas visiting our son's family, Karin, Asher, and I spent nearly all of our waking hours in their double-wide home. The double-wide Continue Reading
The Seal Was Worth the Money
Traveling on a long road trip with a restless 5-year-old is an endurance test. Our grandson, Asher, is a good kid and we love him dearly, but he can Continue Reading
The Childhood She Is Missing
"He's grown so much." The young woman made that comment after she looked at her little boy. Her five-year-old son smiled back at her. It was his Continue Reading
Dad, You’re on a List
My son, Hans, sometimes tells me stories of his youth without any warning. He did that today. He is a combat vet from the most recent Iraq War Continue Reading
Part of Him Is Still in Iraq
I was sitting on the back porch of Hans' double-wide, soaking up the Texas heat and listening to Hans talk about his time in Iraq. Hans had a Continue Reading
The Jobs We Know How to Do
Yesterday morning, we drove to a jobsite in Texas where our oldest son, Hans, was pumping concrete. He operates a huge pump truck. It has 18 wheels, Continue Reading
He Was Still Wearing His Cap
Breakfast at the Best Western isn't bad, but it's nothing to brag about either. The scrambled eggs remind me of those served in any Army mess hall. Continue Reading
You Have Chosen the State Over Christ
Don Timmerman died of cancer on July 19. He spent almost all of his adult life advocating for peace and justice. I am tempted to say that he was Continue Reading
Prison Vendors Make Families Pay
Let me begin by warning you that this entire essay is going to be one long rant. If you decide at this point to click on something else, I will Continue Reading
Saved by a Stubby Pencil
AI is here and it’s not going anywhere. The new technology is the subject of much scrutiny and controversy. People are upset about AI forcing humans Continue Reading