The summer military moving season is upon us, which means it’s probably time to say good-bye to some very good friends. There will be farewell fire pits, hugs on the driveway, and even a few tears. But moving requires cleaning out the pantry and refrigerator, so this otherwise sad occasion may also come with parting…
Military Life
The Poetry of ‘Taps’
One evening in 1981 while I was at summer camp, I took a deep breath, and blew a little too hard on the bugle’s mouthpiece. The counselor who played “Taps” each night to signal “lights out” to the campers had agreed to let me be the substitute bugler that evening. Using only one semester of…
Five Reasons I’d Never Win Survivor
I could claim that I have fencing lessons, or that I have tickets to La Boheme, or that I’m attending a lecture on the sustainability of agricultural practices in Machu Pichu. But I’d rather admit what I’m really doing on Wednesday night. On May 24th, I’ll be watching the two-hour season finale of Survivor. Our…
50 Shades of Mattress Shopping
I stepped out of our car and squinted up at the sleek, tall building. It seemed more like a tech company, or a global banking institution, or the corporate headquarters of something really important. Not a furniture store. Francis and I hiked across what seemed like acres of parking lot toward the enormous entrance with…
What I believe about Hell and hand baskets