Squirrels.

There’s a commercial for DirecTV that keeps me cracking up long after its 30-second duration. The squirrels just aren’t listening to Dave. In a park setting, a man is unsuccessfully trying to shoo a gang of rodents away. They’re not interested in his pleas and shrieks. In fact, they leap onto his legs, torso — […]

Music therapy.

Brian Crain’s “Song for Sienna” is a tune that moved me to tears the first time I heard it. I think I was listening to a Pandora station when it came on, and whatever I was doing was immediately paused. It’s a simple composition that sounds full of hope and sorrow, triumph and loss, patience […]

Good day.

If I could get paid to sleep, write, go on fantastic walks and drink wine, I’d be a happy camper. By “paid,” I mean in money. Dollars. Dinero. Not in burritos, although I do adore them. Not in elastic waist comfy pants, although I do find them to be quite delightful. Nothing shady, nothing illegal. […]

The Offering Plate

Have you ever seen something, met someone or been in a situation that suddenly seemed to make sense of your life? Occasionally you pause and really think about it — your existence, that is. Its twists and turns seem nonsensical. Its ups and downs feel more exhausting than educational. Its challenges seem anything but character-building. […]

Extra credit.

I think there are certain things we all know we’re capable of achieving. Other times when it comes to something out of the ordinary, we second guess ourselves. We may think we’re not good enough, talented enough, smart enough, worthy enough or deserving enough. We may even bother to wonder where these feelings come from […]

What if?

If you knew how your life would end, and when it would end, would you do things differently? If you knew you’d pass from an undetected illness that suddenly appeared, would you trade the years you lived for fifty more if your condition was known and your early years had to be replayed in a […]

Advice about advice.

Ever notice how it’s easier to dish out advice than it is to listen to our own? The Golden Rule exists for a reason — it’s good for everyone. When it’s thrown out the window, we all suffer. If he’s not reciprocating, move on. Staying essentially condones his bad behavior and makes you a doormat. […]