Lost at lake
A three-hour tour My family is on an extended weekend at the lake. In addition to riding on our boat, we borrowed a friend’s Waverunner because there are 17 of … Continue Reading Lost at lake
GratiTuesday: Chad Smart
Positively Cynical Reviewing my GratiTuesday blog posts, I’ve come to realize I haven’t highlighted one of my best friends in the world, Chad Smart. Chad is one of the first … Continue Reading GratiTuesday: Chad Smart
Stars and Stripes
Old Glory Most of you probably already know June 14 is Flag Day. It was on June 14, 1777, that Congress signed the resolution that finalized the design of the … Continue Reading Stars and Stripes
GratiTuesday: Lisa Mann
SI Wellness or Bust I met Lisa Mann not too long after moving to southern Illinois. She was working for the American Cancer Society at the time and I had … Continue Reading GratiTuesday: Lisa Mann
Let’s talk about it
“I’m not fine” Despite the headline on this post, I am really fine. But I know many others who are not. The suicide earlier this week of designer Kate Spade … Continue Reading Let’s talk about it
GratiTuesday: Jason Hunsperger
Bub I usually start these posts off with how I met the subject of the GratiTuesday. This one is easy. I don’t remember it though, as I was only 18 … Continue Reading GratiTuesday: Jason Hunsperger
GratiTuesday: Marge & Bob Mathus
My Second Family Growing up my parents had several close friends. Two of them, Marge and Bob Mathus were like a second set of parents to my brother and me. … Continue Reading GratiTuesday: Marge & Bob Mathus
GratiTuesday: Reed Bigelow
The Candy Man My family first met Reed Bigelow a decade or so ago when he and his family moved to southern Illinois. Reed showed up at a Cub Scout … Continue Reading GratiTuesday: Reed Bigelow
New parents: don’t blink
Time flies More than once I’ve said to myself and others for that matter, “Where did the time go?” It was only 18 years, four months and 16 days ago … Continue Reading New parents: don’t blink
GratiTuesday: Carterville Band Boosters
Pride of the Lions Many years ago our oldest son Ethan signed up for the band at Carterville Intermediate School. He started off with the trumpet and eventually transitioned to … Continue Reading GratiTuesday: Carterville Band Boosters
GratiTuesday: Teachers
Thank a teacher May 8, 2018, is Teacher Appreciation Day. I’m not going to pinpoint specific educators who have had an impact on my life because honestly there are countless … Continue Reading GratiTuesday: Teachers
GratiTuesday: Veterans Honor Flight
Honoring Our Veterans One week ago I had the opportunity to document the third Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois trip. For those who don’t know, the Honor Flight provides … Continue Reading GratiTuesday: Veterans Honor Flight
National Honesty Day
You Ask, I Answer April 30 is Honesty Day. So I took to social media for your questions. I told folks I’d be honest with my answers. Many of … Continue Reading National Honesty Day
GratiTuesday: Ryan Gerding & Gina Quattrocchi
First three letters in news In June 1999 my career in TV news came to a screeching halt. After nearly two years in Florence, Alabama, the owners of the TV … Continue Reading GratiTuesday: Ryan Gerding & Gina Quattrocchi
The Snapchat 3-month Fitness Challenge
Accountability is the key Nearly two years ago I joined an accountability club on Snapchat. I don’t know any of the people involved in this group but have bonded with … Continue Reading The Snapchat 3-month Fitness Challenge
GratiTuesday: The Pro Wrestling Widow
Mrs. My 1-2-3 Cents I’ve written before about my wife Lisa, specifically in this post about our 20 year wedding anniversary last summer. However, I feel the need to shine … Continue Reading GratiTuesday: The Pro Wrestling Widow
