Scottish Invasion

We allowed all of our children, as infants, to take a pacifier. Like anything else parents do (or don't do), it can be up for debate on short- and long-term consequences. For us, it meant more sleep for mom and dad at night when Kara (our oldest) was little. So, we kept up the tradition … Continue reading What’s that in your hand?

Ah, it's that time again.  School is back in session (kind of) and we are getting ready for high school football (in a way). Here in our small town of Milan, TN, we are preparing to open the season tonight - on a Thursday night - against one of our in-county rivals.  Peabody High School, … Continue reading It Feels Like That Time Again

In the 15th century, there was money to be made if you were willing to risk traveling East on the high seas.  Importing goods like silk, spices, and tea into Europe was a lucrative endeavor.  Like any other business, if you can figure out how to be cheaper, provide a better product, or be more … Continue reading We Aren’t There Yet

To quote Rudyard Kipling, "The strength of the pack is the wolf.  And the strength of the wolf is the pack." That philosophy works in the wild.  Making sure no one is left behind.  That each member plays to their strengths.  That the good of the whole takes precedence over any one individual. I'll admit … Continue reading States United

Those that love you, and especially those that spend a lot of time with you, probably have learned little quirks about you along the way. Maybe you pronounce certain words differently than everyone else.  I know someone that pronounces the restaurant Shoney's as "SHAH-nees"  Or, if you're really, really from the deep south, you may … Continue reading From the Other Room

The notion that your faith has to look like the step that Indiana Jones takes across the chasm to get to the Holy Grail is probably a tiny bit extreme. Life is full of steps of faith, no doubt about that. Whether to buy this house, marry this person, take this job, or spend this … Continue reading Faith Isn’t Blind

Much has been said about this year's Super Bowl halftime show.  I have friends that have expressed opinions on it from both angles. Some defend the show, with lots of good arguments on why and how it was an inspiring and visionary form of entertainment, particularly when taken in cultural context. Many others hold the … Continue reading Asking the Turtle to Fly

As you decide on how you might have a better 2020 by making a list of things you plan to improve on, I'd like to make a suggestion for both you and me. In 1996, the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA), the governing body for high school athletics in the state, established a campaign … Continue reading Just Do Right

Played out exactly a century ago, the First World War was fought in fields, towns, and farms of Western Europe.  Preceding the technology that changed how wars engaged themselves (even as soon as twenty years later), men spent the entirety of the engagement in dug out trenches that stretched across the landscape. While many died … Continue reading Building a Strong Base