When I was growing up, I never thought much about authors. I only ever cared about the books (Misty of Chincoteague! Charlie and the Chocolate Factory! Later, The Count of Monte Cristo!). If I’m being honest, I’d have to say…
Sometimes over the holidays I write questions on little pieces of paper, fold them up, put them in a stack, and pass them around the dinner table when our daughters and their friends are trapped with us at a restaurant….
One idea for 2016 is to play it safe. Keep on doing the same things you’ve always done well. Eat at the same restaurants. Hang out with the same people. Maybe even re-read a few of your favorite books. Or…
Which of these statements is more true: 1. It is most important to feel content with who you are. 2. It is most important to be growing and improving as a person. For the purposes of this thought experiment, you…
Ed Tarkington is a big man, gentle of heart. A high school English teacher and wrestling coach at Montgomery Bell Academy, a family man with two young daughters, he’s up at 4 am most mornings to write. The result is…
With the New Year approaching, I took the opportunity to have a serious conversation with Pepper. She was settled in comfortably on the loveseat in the kitchen – napping, actually – and I sat down next to her. She perked right up….
The “Best Books of 2015” lists are a great resource, of course! There are just so many, lists upon lists. Here are the top five that I’ve enjoyed and found useful: #1: The New York Times Top 10 Books of 2015 This is the…
Last week, Pepper snagged the remainder of my my turkey sandwich from Jersey Mike’s off the kitchen counter while I was working at the computer. She was well into it when I discovered the crime. “Pepper!” I cried. “You know…
At least it feels like it sometimes, when the presents aren’t wrapped and the cookies aren’t made and you drive around the Kroger parking lot for 15 minutes before making your own illegal parking space and the mall parking lot is…