My son once decorated his room with empty Red Bull and Monster cans. I didn’t realize that his habit was fed by my wife’s decaffeinated coffee, that bags of pure caffeine are pulled from coffee beans and shipped to Red… Continue reading

Here is how bad it is in the oil patch. Today I began pumping gas noting the price $1.49 at my local Phillips 66. After two gallons, I realized I wanted a car wash, so I stopped the pump and… Continue reading

Karen and I dreamed separately (as is our normal way) two dark dreams last night. And it made us think of a story we read on vacation about belief and doubt. And no, this isn’t about my daughters per se,… Continue reading

Dear Aunt Shirley: Aunt Shirley on the far left I wanted to come see you today, because you are one of my favorites, not just a favorite Aunt, one of my favorite people. We are traveling today, so instead of… Continue reading

“Where will we be in thirty years,” Was not on my mind As I stood waiting, Starched and bright eyed Watching your loveliness From the front of a church Looking down the aisle To you And your Dad, Thomas Walking… Continue reading

Grandpa Taylor never had a mullet, although he may have once shot one in the woods behind the barn. Grandpa seems more understandable now, more on my level. I’m entering an age of understanding that my grandpa didn’t always own… Continue reading

I dragged Karen to the Community Center last night and listened to Roy Blount, Jr. speak about the literary world and about his great friend and favorite author, Charles Portis, famous for writing the book True Grit and as well… Continue reading

Meanwhile high above Nova Scotia I’m watching the Salzburg choir and symphony perform a majestic piece by Bach and I’m reminded of a great scene from Band of Brothers illustrating how horror and beauty inhabit the same landscape. American paratroopers… Continue reading