From My Front Porch

Life's stories connect lives

Relaxing Stresses Me Out

“Just relax,” they say. I always look confused. Relaxation baffles me. There’s nothing peaceful about it. I watch commercials with that lady in the bubble bath with the candles and the wine, and I get twitchy. I’d like to be that lady, but the reality is that by the time I actually got into that tub, I would have scrubbed it, taken the dirty rags to the laundry room and noticed I hadn’t folded the last load of laundry, switched out a load, put the towels away and noticed I had run the tub over because I forgot I started running the water. [Read more…]

Moving… The Final Strongholds

A week ago our U-Haul rolled up to our new home, and we spent the day unloading and arranging. I’m happy to report that most areas of our home are orderly and functional, but we have a few last bastions, hanging on for dear life and rejecting any attempt at order. Our sun porch has become the dump site for cardboard and other packing paraphernalia we intend to recycle or give away for reuse. The garbage collection company where I ordered the recycle service forgot to deliver the bin, not that all that treasure would fit anyway, but alas, a small dent is still a dent, nonetheless. [Read more…]

First Impressions

I remember my first job interview. It consisted of the manager at our local Burger Chef calling me on my sixteenth birthday to ask me when I was coming to work. Nearly all of my older siblings had worked there, and he had anticipated his new cashier for some time. I showed up, donned my brown and orange polyester uniform, and walked straight into the work force.

Not all interviews are quite that easy. So much can’t be learned from an application or even from a cursory interview. A resume only tells part of the story, but a person’s character is so much more than what a piece of paper can tell. How will this person handle pressure? Is he kind? How will he treat people? [Read more…]

Keeping It in Perspective

Having a January 20th birthday, I have always shared my spotlight with presidential inaugurations. This year, tensions have clearly been high, so I thought I’d put it all into a bit of perspective.

I’ve always had a birthday. Every year, January 20th rolls around whether or not we usher in a new Commander in Chief. [Read more…]

Is that really a word?

Sonder isn’t a word. At least, it’s not in the dictionary. I’ve always believed that if it’s not in the dictionary, it’s not a word. Ain’t that right?

…but sonder may need a second look…

How many people do you come into contact with in a day? I don’t mean just the ones you speak to or have a relationship with, but all those souls you pass on the way to work, school, or practice who escape your notice. Maybe they are simple blurs in a flurry of busyness that comprises your life. [Read more…]