Author Archives: Dad

Rule 2021: Cure for 2020 As horrible as 2020 was, we started 2021 in almost a worse position. The divide between people has grown beyond politics into distrust of even friends and family. I’ve seen families splinter, not because they … Continue reading →

Rule #74: Motorcycle Paradox As an insurance geek and underwriter, I don’t get many chances to teach my kids life skills from my career. I can’t show them how to cut a perfect dovetail joint, rebuild a carburetor, or tune … Continue reading →

Rule #572: A house divided against itself cannot stand. “In this temple as in the hearts of the people for whom he saved the Union, the memory of Abraham Lincoln is enshrined forever.” This sickens me. The stupidity, the hatred, … Continue reading →

Rule #117: Trust but Verify You kids know that I tend to tell my stories and make statements that appear to be based on fact, but are colored by my opinion. My dad used to do this at the dinner … Continue reading →

COVID-19: Five Lessons From an Epidemic I’ve been through the typical ups and downs of life that we all experience. I’ve failed a course, been fired multiple times, been divorced, and lost at virtually every athletic endeavor possible. In short, … Continue reading →

Rule #57 – Nothing Takes the Place of Persistence “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.” … Continue reading →

Rule #177: Fear of Toilet Paper Fear is useful. It keeps us from doing stupid things that will kill us — like messing with alligators or answering the door for a pair of Jehovah’s Witnesses on a Saturday. If my … Continue reading →

Rule #313: Purge Often When we moved to Florida in 2017 we decided to get rid of everything we didn’t use. I filled two loads of a 40-yard dumpster and ran a massive garage sale. I thought I was making … Continue reading →

Rule #54: Boys Will Be Boys As the father of three wonderful girls and the grandfather of the awesome Hailey, I am a strong supporter of the #MeToo movement and of the societal protections that give those who need it … Continue reading →

Rule #151: Respect Alcohol When I returned from a great trip to New Orleans last year, I was amazed that everyone in that city isn’t a raging alcoholic and morbidly obese. Sitting at the Bourbon Street Oyster House Bar at … Continue reading →