Pressure Reveals
These are terribly pressure filled times. The pressure builds on so many fronts. From the distant thought of, "Is this the end of the world?" to the day to day, "how am I going to fill my day?" and everything in between, there are pressures all around us. There are...
These Days…
What and how I feel about what's been going on is all over the place. In general though, I tell my kids that it's more important to know what you DON'T KNOW than what you do know. I am sure that I don't know... How bad this will be.How bad it really is.How it could...
What Death Does
Kobe Bryant died yesterday. Gigi Bryant yesterday. Three members of the same family died yesterday. A pilot died yesterday. A serviceman died yesterday. A policeman died yesterday. A doctor died yesterday. A teacher died yesterday. A priest died yesterday. A homeless...
The Futility of Self Care
Yay! It's 2020! It's a new year and THIS year is going to be different. Somehow...it's going to be different. Granted, every month is a new month. Every week is a new week and every day a new day but somehow a new year...well, THAT'S the magic. That's what will enable...
Give Us a Shot
Whenever I change the church sign I always have to pass the Rachel test. She is always worried that I might be offending someone. My kids are just about on the opposite side of things wanting me to push the envelope a little. The idea behind this sign was just a...
5 Years Since Trey…A List
It's been 5 years (and one week) since Trey passed away. What do you do with that? Well, I'm making a list. Overall, we're good. All things considered...very good.Joe and Bella used to say that they have lived two lives, one with Trey and one since he passed away.Now...
Why Would You Post That?
The great calamity of the 2019 holiday season is upon us. No, it's not that the Christmas decorations were out too early. No, it's not that pumpkin spice is the best or worst thing to ever happen to sweet or savory. No, it's far too early to complain about people...
What You Should Have Done
It seems like it was just a year ago. My Penn Hills Lady Indian Volleyball team decided to not go to Connellsville for a match in response to their act of intimidation following their verbal racial attacks on our soccer players. Oh, that’s right, it was a year ago....
Loss
We were at the 8th annual UnWined event to benefit Children's Hospital Hematology/Oncology division. I jokingly call it our annual opportunity to buy fancy clothes and be reminded that we lost a child to cancer. Truth be told it is our annual honor to represent...
A Summer List
It's been awhile since I've posted a list. It cracks me up how many people love these lists. So, here you go! The amount of food in my fridge on Monday's compared to Friday is hilarious.I cook a lot on weekends.I'm in a burger slump. Salt, pepper, garlic and grill. I...
What’s in a Memory?
I wrote an article about Trey's love for Kennywood 4 years ago. That article is here. It was viewed 22 thousand times on Facebook and countless times overall. Simply put, it was my heart for my son and appreciation for a place like Kennywood written down for all to...
Coming Home…
Rachel's father passed away some 14 years ago and left us many piano's and organ's. We wanted only one, the baby grand piano that he had converted into a player piano. The only problem was that we didn't have anywhere to put it. Ironically, a friend allowed us to put...
Times Change?
Eight years ago I drove past Bella playing on the playground by herself at Penn Hebron. She wasn't crying or even looking sad. However, my heart broke...shattered. She was 30 feet away and yet a million miles from me. I couldn't help, I couldn't be there for her. She...
Offend Me
I'm not really sure why I'm posting this. It's been on my heart for weeks now and thus, I shall share. I touched on this topic years ago with this post but I want to expand. Offend me. I guarantee you, it can't be done. Go ahead. Tell me that I'm short. Laugh at how...
What Happened to the Individual?
Jussie Smollett is a liberal gay activist who wanted to besmirch people that support President Trump. The left wants to destroy America. Before that, Jussie Smollett was attacked by two white MAGA hat wearing racists who hate lgbtq people. The right wants to destroy...
It’s the Little Things…
I have been alarmed over the past few years at the young people in our world and my own kids as well. Am I talking about screen time? What about the continued breakdown of social standards? Is it the language? Promiscuity? NO. It's the fact that they drink warm pop...
In Times of Chaos
The Penn Hills community is in a state of chaos. The report came out and detailed the financial situation that the school district is in. There were recommendations and a scathing analysis. What was not there was any legal actions for those responsible. This has added...
Penn Hills Proud
***The event mentioned below has been rescheduled for Tuesday March 5th at Linton beginning at 7pm.*** This may shock you (sarcasm intended if you know me). I am proud of being a lifelong (minus about 6 years) resident of Penn Hills. You may say that I'm just loyal to...
Jay Mitlo
Author of Stand