Tamie and I are dog walkers, though not in any professional sense. Rupert, our five-year-old dog, doesn’t seem to mind. We’ve been guiding him around the neighborhood his entire life, often multiple times a day. Before Rupert, we spent a decade charting routes with his predecessor, Ivan. And someday, in a distant and less slobbery… Continue reading Unexpectedly Muppetized
Tamie, Rupert, and I walked to the local farmer’s market on Wednesday for dinner. I invested $18 in an açaí bowl while Tamie got in line for a veggie crepe. Since hers was going to take a while, Rupert and I found a shady spot to wait. As soon as we sat down, a spirited… Continue reading The Açaí Was Delicious, Probably
Today was the 5th Annual Ivan Memorial Hike. Tamie joined Rupert and I for the first time this year and didn’t complain about the route once. Instead, she and I reminisced about our time with Ivan and debated which of our kids, if any, might someday be willing to hike this trail in my honor.… Continue reading Now I’m Sad AND Hungry
Tamie and I have been married for over three decades, which is why it surprised me when she asked if I'd like to share my phone number with a neighbor who’d recently inquired about walking our dogs together. “Seriously?” I asked. “Yes. He’s very friendly, and I think he’d be good company for you on… Continue reading Waitlisted
My three grandkids (ages 5, 5, and 3) flew in from Boston yesterday with their parents and are here for the holidays. When I came downstairs this morning at 7am, the kids were already up and playing a game called “Let’s throw Hot Wheels cars at the shiny Christmas tree bulbs.” They were very good… Continue reading Rocketing the Christmas Tree
My youngest child recently wrote and mailed a letter for the first time. He’s 21. To his credit, he knew he needed to attach a stamp before sending it off. A few years ago, his older sister attempted the same thing but just taped a bunch of quarters onto an envelope. I know what you’re… Continue reading Mail 101
Tamie and I were married 33 years ago last Friday. To celebrate, I planned a four-day getaway to the Oregon coast, complete with beachside accommodations, charming outdoor restaurants, scenic hikes, and a romantic train ride for three. This seems like the appropriate time to mention that Rupert, our 80-pound dog, chaperoned. To be clear, this… Continue reading Our 33rd Wedding Anniversary: It Could’ve Gone Worse
Rupert and I got up early to participate in the fourth annual Ivan Memorial Hike. We haven’t missed one yet. My wife has missed all four. She hates the venue for some reason, but I enjoy the climb and Rupert enjoys chasing the spirit of a dog he’s never met. It was a very good… Continue reading Upwards, Still
I left my wife alone over Mother’s Day weekend. Before you get all judgy, know this: it was her idea. Also, she wasn’t technically alone since Rupert, our 80lb lap dog, was with her the entire time. Do we have any regrets? It depends on which one of us you ask. I had a thoroughly… Continue reading Get Away
I took my dog in for his annual exam today and the vet said Rupert had reached his "pet weight" which is one of those phrases that sounds kind of like a compliment but is actually a backhanded way of saying he's gotten too fat to survive on his own in the wild. This is… Continue reading Pet Weight
