Another summer vacation season is upon us. Millions of American families will pack up the car or hop on a plane and partake in the pilgrimage that is a vacation at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. I myself have undertaken the journey many times as a youth and as a parent. I also worked for the company for a total of sixteen years (and continue to follow them closely via the internet), so I’d like to think…
Memorial Day is a day of remembrance. A time to take a moment – however brief – and remember those who served in the armed forces and gave their lives as the ultimate sacrifice for their country. For me, Memorial Day is also a day of remembrance, but in a slightly different vein. My family (on my mother’s side) has deep roots in Western Maryland, Eastern West Virginia, and Western Pennsylvania. Many of my ancestors lived in the area around…
They say “April showers bring May flowers”. I don’t know what they say about rain in May, but for Maryland at least, this past week the mantra has been “enough already”. According to this month’s weather statistics, Hagerstown has received 3.55 inches of rain so far this month. I’d say most of that has come in the past week. The rain culminated in a freak storm this past Thursday that dumped an incredible amount of water on Southern Washington County…
As the temperatures rise, the rite of passage that is summertime grilling is gearing up for another season. I grill year round (as my grill is on my covered, wrap-around porch), but for those of you that don’t have that luxury, these recent sunny days have probably been filled with preparing for the first big kick-off of the grilling season, Memorial Day weekend. Now, I know that there are some clear battle lines regarding responsibility when it comes to grilling. …
It’s been a soul crushing week at work. As many of you may know, I’m currently employed as an RTM (Return to Manufacturer) Clerk at one of those big-box home improvement stores (the blue one). My days are spent working with various vendors, trying to get credit for returned and/or damaged items from customers. Yes, that’s right – whenever you return those broken light bulbs, extra screws, or that can of paint you didn’t want (but conveniently used half of),…
It’s no secret that the opioid epidemic is sweeping through all levels of society in the United States. Like a raging brush fire, it scorches the earth – leaving loss, pain, and misery as its calling card to every family it touches. Even if you don’t have an immediate family member who is suffering from addiction, odds are very good that you know someone who does. This is not an isolated problem or one that attacks only one segment of…
I’m always on the lookout for recipes and ideas that are quick, easy, and delicious. Being a busy family of four with two teenagers means that we’re often going in several different directions on weeknights – and it’s often more the rule than the exception. Whether it’s band practice, poetry readings, or piano lessons, it can be a challenge to find the time to sit down and have a meal together – but we try our best. We recently checked…
Ahhhh – the American dream. For most people, it consists of a family of four, two cars, a comfortable house, and a yard. Three of these things I like and enjoy, while one brings week after week of frustration, dread, and annoyance. Yes, I’m talking about the yard. With the unseasonable warm weather over the past weekend, I was reminded that it is once again time to undertake my weekly chore that is lawn care and maintenance. I got out…
As time marches towards the end of another school year, the calendar is being filled with not only various spring sports (such as baseball, softball, and tennis), but also plays, recitals, musicals, and concerts. All over the country, teens are diligently rehearsing and preparing to perform their musical pieces, showcase their art, or present their dramatic monologues to audiences of proud parents and friends. I would argue that even if you don’t have a son or daughter participating in these…
One of the many nice things about living in a temperate weather zone is the yearly change of seasons. Believe me, I spent many years living in Florida, and there is nothing more boring than a subtropical climate. The joke in the “Sunshine State” was that there were only three seasons – early summer, late summer, and next summer. That wasn’t far from the truth. There was nothing more uninspiring than dressing your kids up for Halloween in some sort…