Ukraine’s Zelensky and Promise Leadership
Unfolding by the minute, we watch horrified as Russia invades Ukraine, crimes against humanity and illegal strikes on innocent civilians. We ask: How can this happen in today’s world? When I heard Putin’s military convoy 40 miles long was headed for Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, I figured we’d learn of the Ukrainian administration flying away in […]
The Birthday Promise
After she fell asleep for her final evening as a 45-year old, I snuck out of the bedroom to get to work on setting up the kitchen table for her “surprise” in the morning. I was up quite late, and woke up extra early to get things ready, kids up and dressed, cake and […]
Worth Jail Time
A man who had served in four tours of duty for the US Military, received three Purple Hearts, experienced extreme difficulty integrating back into society due to PTSD, anxiety, and having nearly been killed multiple times in war. Once back home, veteran Joseph Serna was on probation for his alcohol struggles, which he used to […]
Write a Better Letter
Every Birthday and Christmas I looked forward to presents, and was rarely disappointed by my amazing parents who truly gave me so much to be thankful for as a child. But the most important thing for me always was the handwritten letter. Be it a simple card, maybe a little cash fell out as […]
I Got Sued Yesterday
I Got Sued YESTERDAY. Just like this headline is misleading and complete clickbait, such is the reality we are living in, and the point of this author and PAPERBACK WRITER. I clicked on a post recently after reading wild news stories ACROSS THE UNIVERSE and stumbled upon the Yahoo! article entitled: “Fans Sue Movie Yesterday”. […]
Choking on McDonald’s
Sydney Raley, a 15-year old McDonald’s employee, noticed a customer in the drive-thru lane choking on a chicken nugget. Most teens I know would start screaming, pointing, or not even notice at all… Sydney is not most teens. Without hesitation, she leaped through the drive-thru window, opened the car door, instructed the victim’s daughter to […]
The COVID Test
As I waited for the required 15 minute COVID test to give its results allowing me to join the event I had flown across country to participate in, the sweat began to bead on my forehead. This event was booked 7 months prior. Due to all of the cancelled flights over the holidays, knowing […]
Are All Canadians Like This?
Did you see the video of the Canadian ice skater who took 3rd place but ended up being a hero in Japan? It’s quite remarkable and literally needs no set up from me if you just click the link to watch, enjoy, and try not to shed a tear: https://youtu.be/uXZr9DVW3cU?t=202 As you can […]
Your New Year Promise 2022
Saturday, January 1, 2022 Sat on the couch with Royal, 10-yrs old, and discussed what he wants to become, create, and accomplish in 2022. We didn’t use words like “Goals”, “Resolutions”, or “Intentions”, we just simply talked about things he wanted to improve, work on, become. “Get better at skateboarding” was first, and then I […]
My Yoda, My Mentor: Chris Poulos 1931-2021
Tuesday was busy. Life and Christmas errands got in the way, and suddenly the week was filling up with last minute needs, but I went anyway. A 45-minute drive to my old mentor’s home, Chris Poulos, whom I hadn’t seen in months due to my travels, kids being sick, and his frail state of […]