page contents Google

SHAPE UP. THEN WHAT?

Shape up. I’ve told myself that more than once. I’ve also looked at others and said the same thing. To myself. Most of the time.

BE SOMEBODY? THERE ARE CLUES ALONG THE WAY

You’ve heard the request to ‘be somebody?’ Be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, and more. The request usually comes from an adult speaking to someone who screwed up. They ask why we can’t be better than what we’re in trouble for. It’s different when we’re in trouble with ourselves.

EXTRA EFFORT? WHO’S THE JUDGE

  There you are doing your best, trying your hardest, and a voice in your head says, ‘You’d do better with a little extra effort.’ If you’ve heard it, do you know where it come from? A coach, a teacher, a parent. “You could be somebody if you actually applied yourself.”

HEALTH JOURNEY ON A ROUGH ROAD

A ‘health journey’ is a phrase used by people with lots of doctor appointments. If you’re old enough you either take that rough road yourself, or you show up for others on it. Personally, I’ve never liked the term. I like it even less when it applies to young people coming down with old people […]

PEP TALK? MY BEST MEMORY BEFORE A BIG WRESTLING MATCH

When does a pep talk make all the difference? You’re warmed up, ready to go, just as the coach gives last instructions. As a high school wrestler in my second year, I needed all the pep I could get. Ordinarily you wouldn’t put a second year guy out against a well known mauler, but . […]

RULE BOOK FOR EARLY 70’S DATING: DID YOU FOLLOW IT?

The rule book for dating in the early 1970’s came from rock lyrics. But not just any rock lyrics. This isn’t about the free love sixties, even if it had a nice ring to it. It’s about getting on down the road.

SPORTS DADS SAY, “PLAY MY KID IF YOU’RE SMART”

Sports dads come in every flavor between sweet and sour. They come with vast experience, and none. What they know for sure is their kid is better than your kid and should play more than he does. With that attitude, what can go wrong?

MORE FOOD? IT’S NOT A QUESTION

There’s more food on the table. Have another plate. If it’s Super Bowl Sunday you’ll ruin your team’s chances if you don’t gorge yourself. The barbecued little sausages won’t eat themselves. Grab a toothpick. Homemade Buffalo wings? Right there.

POWER COUPLE OF THE LAST NFL GAME OF THE YEAR

Power Couple? You and who you’re with. But there are others of note, especially today. What day? Super Bowl Day, or the last time my wife says, “Is there a game on, a big game, a REALLY BIG GAME,” dripping with fake enthusiasm. My answer (with authentic hype-man energy): “They’re all big, honey. It’s the […]

STORY MEDICINE AND THE CURE

Story medicine is what you see and hear. Think of it like going out for music: Is it, “Let’s get tickets and go see Taylor Swift?” Or, “Let’s get tickets to hear Taylor Swift?” It’s both. Around here we call that, “The Deuce.”