Throughout 2020, chaos morphed into a powerful tempest, swirling round us all. Amid these storms, we often feel powerless. The…
Monthly Musings
The Sobriety Project: Friends, Frenemies, and Building Awareness
Will sobriety change your social relationships? The short answer—probably. While I didn’t experience everything on this list, through discussions with…
Waltzing Matilda to Georgia?
My son, Patrick, and his roommate, Lane, spent a few weeks at our farm transitioning from college life to their…
Busking Away COVID-19
To busk: Dancing, singing, or reciting on the street or in a public place (dictionary.com) Summer 2020 sure seems off…
La Vie en Rose
Amid the recent quarantine, I worked on a few projects that only required a bit of “elbow grease” and use…
The Sobriety Project: A Year “Shedding” Unnecessary Burdens
Today marks one year of sobriety. For over 30 years, I have not experienced a full calendar year sober (except…
Keeping Calm and Carrying on Amid COVID-19
The Sobriety Project: The Watcher at the Gate
At the beginning of the semester, my Freshman Composition students read Godwin’s “The Watcher at the Gate.” This essay explores…
The Sobriety Project: Calming the Tempest
In the past I often used alcohol to try and calm my mind. I let worries and negative thoughts gain…
The Sobriety Project: First Steps
Six months ago, I made the decision to stop drinking. For the past 15 years, I’ve taken breaks lasting one…