Did You Ever Notice…
Can we stop saying "fake news" and just go with the fact that it's all "biased news?" I've been watching Survivor again, it's really good...although producer manipulated. I've always watched Amazing Race...great show ALWAYS. A trick of those in control is to...
All Life is…
In my hometown of Penn Hills we had another devastating tragedy recently. I say another because we've been through a lot in the past few years. Yes, there were some before my son Trey died...I suppose I wasn't as tuned in. Officer Crawshaw's tragic death comes to...
It’ll Be Fine…
The Affordable Healthcare Act is about to pass...or not. Obamacare is going to be repealed...or not, or kind of. The Pirates have an incredibly young and unproven starting rotation. Matt Murray is not the same goalie he was last year but can the Penguins really...
Who Needs Me?
I get in my own head sometimes...a lot. I'm not talking about simple introspection. I mean drive myself slowly crazy with worse case scenarios and what if's. We've gone over this, past hurts leave marks for a lifetime unless comforted...but even then. There can be...
Things on My Mind…A List
Spring snow is futile and only short lived. A lot of maladies in life are that way too. Given that, they are still pains. I would love a giant cast iron skillet/pan. Before someone dies you have the good and the bad from them. After they die you still have the bad but...
There are Good People
Bad news. There's so much of it and it's so easy to pile on. Gossip, slander, memes, snarky comments, it's much easier being the holier than the thou. However, there are good people. There are good things. My hometown is not exempt and even to a degree exemplifies...
A List After a Death
My dad died yesterday. Each death one experiences is unique. Each death brings back emtions from previous events. My dad was a complex man. My dad taught me how to golf. My dad taught me how to keep score golfing. I had to learn how to keep score honestly elsewhere....
Breathe
My dad sat there and uttered things that just didn't make sense. It wasn't necessarily hallucinations like he has done in the past when he has had infections (those are crazy and almost enjoyable if they weren't so sad). He was just confused and disoriented. You...
I’m Just Worried…
It happens from time to time. I only really noticed it in the last two weeks. It's something that my son Joe does. He will completely and irrationally worry about something that basically has no chance of occuring. It's not the dark, it's not heights, it's not...
A Thursday List w/Dad
I needed to get a post out today. I needed (wanted) to see my dad today. Why not combine both? A Jay and Tom list. My dad's favorite place to fish is Kearn's Lake in Southern Ontario. He said it was the best Walleye and Pike fishing ever (I've never heard him...
THAT Guy
You know him. It's THAT guy. The one who pushes your every button. While not intentionally hurting your feelings or making you mad, he just rubs you the wrong way. This doesn't happen every once in awhile...it's every time you see him (or her, I'm nothing if not...
Intimate (if not quiet) Moments
I stood before my father in his nursing room bed and looked at him sincerely. I asked, “Dad, do you need anything? Is there anything you want to say? Is there anything you want to get off of your chest?” He looked at me and began… “Jay, I’ve made some mistakes. I’ve...
List list list
New year, new list. If you need your leaves, they're in my lawn. There isn't a flat floor in my house. The basement is the worst, there might even be a right angle at some point. I made some bad breakfast sausage two days ago (marinated it but it ended up wet...
What Can I Do?
Mariah Carey had already left the Time Square stage. Snoop was strolling along the stage with Pitbull. You were wherever you were and I was in my living room with my brother and sisters and some of their families. As the clock wound down I was hit by two things....
Two Kinds of Grief
The Holidays. So many people have to venture through these emotional landmine filled days with fresh hurts and solid memories of loved ones lost. Combine that with the expectation that this is, "The most wonderful time of the year" and you have a recipe for sadness...
Greater Love
I was thinking and praying about Joe and Bella the other day. Nothing bad had happened but my heart was heavy for them given all that they have been through. I had the idea to talk to them about how tough they were. I would mention how that is some ways they are...
Finally, A Friday List
There's been a lot going on... So, my dad is in the hospital again. He’s got a blood infection but we caught it early. Thanks for praying for him and my family…for years. It is incredible the flashbacks (to the Trey days) one has being here again and again. Adam...
One at a Time
Nope. Not one day. Nope. Not one breath. Nope. Not one challenge, one mountain, one project, one poop, one anything other than...one person. I'd bet that you can't do just about anything else that could drastically improve specifically your interactions with...
Jay Mitlo
Author of Stand