Published inThe Memoirist·PinnedMember-onlyPhotographs and MemoriesIt started with an email from Spain. My cousin Soledad’s daughter, Marta, was working on a school project on expatriates and she needed my help. Her grandfather, who was my Tio Francisco, and my dad, spent parts of the 1940s and 50s working on freighters and merchant ships. Tio Francisco…Memoir5 min readMemoir5 min read
Published inDrop a Line Pub·Apr 3Member-onlyThe Anti Bucket List — 10 Things I Won’t Do WillinglyLast week, I posted my Bucket List and was surprised at the response it received. Now, I’m posting my Anti Bucket List of 10 things I have no desire to do. Taking a cue from Ginger Cook, literally, I’m asking, if you’ve participated in anything listed below, please post in…Humor4 min readHumor4 min read
Published inDrop a Line Pub·Mar 29Member-onlyThe Bucket ListWriters are constantly looking for writing prompts when their creativity disappears. Reading Ginger Cook’s Backward Bucket List intrigued me, stirring my creativity for a two-for-one proposition, The Bucket List and The Anti-Bucket List. Bucket Lists became popular after the 2007 film, where two terminally ill men go on a road…Bucketlist4 min readBucketlist4 min read
Mar 18Member-onlyHello Stranger, Welcome Back!My apologies for being missing in action. It’s hard to create a social media presence when my only posts are funny memes on Facebook. Despite my radio silence, I’ve been busy since my last post about creating the perfect family Christmas card. Let me bring you up to speed. My…Life Lessons2 min readLife Lessons2 min read
Published inBouncin’ and Behavin’ Blogs·Dec 15, 2022Member-onlyThe Quest for the Perfect Family Christmas CardIt’s almost Christmas, making it a perfect time to talk about holiday traditions. Last week my wife and I took our son Cristian to see Santa, which led to an annual rite of futility, our family Christmas cards. When I was single, Christmas cards were easy — I didn’t send…Humor4 min readHumor4 min read
Published inThe Press Box·Oct 6, 2022Member-onlyWho’s Ready For Playoff Baseball?It’s early October. The dog days of Summer came and went. Baseball fans watched Aaron Judge chase Roger Maris, Albert Pujols chase Babe Ruth on his retirement tour, and the Atlanta Braves chase the New York Mets in the NL East. MLB teams must be built for the long haul…Baseball2 min readBaseball2 min read
Published inThe Memoirist·Sep 24, 2022Member-onlyAm I The Only One With Sore Nipples? — A Dad’s Guide to Mommy and Me ClassWhen my son turned two, my better half and I discussed enrolling the baby in a Mommy and Me class. Since her background is in child development when she made the suggestion, I listened. We agreed he needed to spend more time playing with kids his age. Since my wife…Humor3 min readHumor3 min read
Published inCrow’s Feet·Sep 7, 2022Member-onlyAnd Now the End is Near — Caring for Aging Parents Isn’t for the Faint of HeartThere comes a time when you switch roles with your parents. The role reversal sneaks up on you — one day Mom and Dad are attending your high school graduation, and the next you’re scheduling their doctors’ appointments. When my parents reached their 70s, my brother and I agreed that…Aging4 min readAging4 min read
Published inThe Memoirist·Aug 14, 2022Member-onlyBecause You Can’t Flush A Cocker Spaniel — What To Do When Your Child Wants A PetIn my last post, I wrote about my family history and memories. Seven years of parenthood have given me both. My son Cristian always loved animals. When he was a toddler, my wife, Esther, signed us up for a family pass to a series of zoos and aquariums. When the…Memoir4 min readMemoir4 min read
Published inQuickTalk·Jul 27, 2022Member-only15 Things I Don't Like — Rants From An Old BoomerI'm late to the party, but what else is new. I'm new(ish) to Medium, and like many, I need good writing prompts to stir my creative juices every now and then. I've always had a cranky streak. In my twenties, a friend said, "I had the personality of a cranky…Humor8 min readHumor8 min read