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FAMILY TIME SUNSET ON THE WESTERN EDGE

Family time needs a motto, and this could be one: “It’s better to create something and be criticized that to create nothing and criticize others.” But what feeds the creative force?

TAKING TIME, MAKING TIME

Taking time for the little things is something we’re supposed to do. Making time to get it right is always the challenge. In some worlds, maybe yours, time is elusive, slippery, until you get rewired one way or the other.

DAD DAYS TO GRANDDAD AND BEYOND

Dad days never end, and I’m glad. I didn’t sign up for the part time version. There wasn’t a switch to throw for the eighteenth birthday that said, ‘I’m done.’ I’ve been a dad since my first born, then doubled up with my second. Since then a few surprises joined up, just not those surprises.

BIG DECISIONS ARE TOO HARD?

Big decisions come every day, one fastball after another. In the game of life, you stand in and take your cuts. You might get on base, you might strike out. Or you might opt out of the whole thing? Wait a minute.

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.

FANCY PEOPLE, BUT NOT TOO FANCY

My wife and I are not fancy people, but one of us is more than the other. As it should be, as long as it’s not me. I’ve seen fancy and come away with the same feelings each time: No Thanks.

COMPARISON CULTURE: BETTER THAN WHAT?

Comparison culture didn’t start with social media, but that’s where it found fertile ground. Baby Boomers and every generation before, all had the same comparison: My Dad is better than your dad. What comes after that? Maybe a fight.

DOING MORE? MORE WHAT?

‘Doing more’ is the vibe hanging over me, maybe you too. ‘Make your time count.’ ‘Give your all.’ ‘Don’t waste your energy.’

LETTING IT FLY? WHERE ARE THE WINGS

‘Letting it fly’ is another way of saying, ‘Is that all you’ve got?’ One of my goals in life is not backing down to fear. Am I afraid of a famous tea room? Yes, but I let it fly. How did I get over this unreasonable fear? I had help.

WEIRD PEOPLE? LIKE WHO

  Weird people you know invite you over for a backyard barbecue. That’s the scene. What could go wrong? They pull this out: Hearts and Gizzards. Let the grilling begin.