Spotify has created its own holiday. Have you noticed? Its annual publication of listeners’ “Year Wrapped” at the end of November / beginning of December feels momentous. My family looks forward to it for weeks ahead of time. And when … Continue reading
Have you seen the new movie on Apple TV+ called “Spirited?” It was just released last week, though Apple has been promoting it for a little while now. It’s got a lot of big-name actors in starring roles. But I … Continue reading
Families form traditions. And traditions form families. Our household has collected got a whole heap of traditions over the years: from two tradition-rich families, from multiple cultures, and from our own set of experiences. But a new generation is coming … Continue reading
Our family follows international soccer more closely than most American families because of our decade in Europe. And we have especially fond memories of summer celebrations of the World Cup in 2010 (which happened while we were living in Amsterdam) … Continue reading
I’ve continued my “Week of _____ Shirts” themes for over a month now. Does anybody care?!? I don’t know! Does it amuse me, in any event?!? Yes, it does! This last week, my daughter Olivia decided to join me for … Continue reading
My seasonal depression has been ramping up recently, with all these gray November days. I’m not in a place of total despair. I’m spending a half-hour every morning in front of my Nature Bright SunTouchPlus sunlight supplement lamp. And I’m … Continue reading
I often joke that I take the “Quantity over Quality” approach to photography. But today was a notable exception. I traveled back to my hometown of Shelby, Ohio, for a speaking engagement. And while I was there, I only took … Continue reading
I recently finished reading Alan Gratz’s novel, Prisoner B-3087. It was recommended to me by my son, Cor. He’s recently become interested in the history of the Second World War, much like I was at his age. And when he told … Continue reading
If we really are headed towards a Post-Christian America, what are we Christians supposed to do about that? People who grew up in the Church feel threatened, so our posture often becomes defensive. Our natural inclination is to think in … Continue reading
I recently finished reading China Achebe’s novel, Things Fall Apart. It was recommended to me by a friend and faithful H2O Intern named Tanner. Her recommendation came the day after I finished reading Danielle Daniel’s Daughters of the Deer. I was … Continue reading