Pass the Turkey and I’ll tell you about my Estate Plan
During this holiday season, you will probably be surrounded by your family and relatives. And there is a better than average chance that you will all be present together for a meal, or two. During these times, why don’t you get the conversation ball rolling by throwing out information about your estate plan? While it […]
Anniversary
Today, I have been married to Tracy for 23 years. They have been good years. In fact, they have been my best years. Although the memory of that day in 1992 has faded, the resolve to love her is getting stronger. I think of my Grandma and Grandpa Marcus. They were married for, something like, […]
The Store
One of my favorite childhood activities was going to work with my Dad on Saturdays. While my primary motivations were finding loose change behind the cash register, sampling all of the candy, and watching USC football on a small black and white TV in the back room, I learned great lessons about life and people. […]
Wet Shoes
I grew up fishing in wet tennis shoes. In my family, there were no waders, aqua socks, or water sandals. I fished in the same shoes I wore to school and church, and doubled as my basketball and skateboard shoes. They were usually Vans. Yesterday, I found myself traipsing through Colorado waterways in my Adidas, […]
I knew it was a good idea
This past weekend was a project weekend. I fixed a cabinet drawer, a broken hinge, a garden fence, and a shower door. Keenly aware that the shower-door-roller-accessory manufacturer had never measured my shower doors, I started the task hoping that the purchased hardware would do the trick. Well, not so much. But, at a pivotal […]
A Hug From The Mailman
Yesterday, the mailman gave me a hug. I have known Art for 8 years. We’ve shaken hands, given high fives, pounded knuckles; this was our first hug. Everyday he delivers mail, we discuss life…family, sports, weather, God, beer, home improvement, and Art’s hometown of Whittier. We’ve had lunch together a few times and he feels […]
A Sad Day, Part II
A few weeks ago, my Grandpa Barnes died. He was 99 years old. I am sad. But, I am blessed. All of my grandparents shared in shaping me into the person I am today. They taught me how to cook, love, play, laugh, save, roll dice, and play an instrument. They never spanked me and […]
18…the big one-eight
I used to joke that when someone turned 18, the best privilege was that they were able to buy lottery tickets. Now, I realize there is much more going on. If you are 18, or if you have a family member or friend who is turning 18, check out this great resource from the California […]
A Sad Day
Last weekend, I was asked to take down the “Thomas table” from my son’s room. When he was 4, I built him a table that was hinged to the wall and when it was let down, it provided a kid height surface onto which he could play with his Thomas the Tank Engine toys. Over […]
What a Gift
For Father’s Day, I received a great gift from my son, Fischer. He made me a wallet out of duct tape. It had 5 slots for my cards and money. As you can see, it is well made…and probably waterproof. When asked, Fischer said that only took him 3 hours to make and it was […]