Kids, did you know that we have a minor league baseball team affiliated with the Boston Red Sox right here in southwest Virginia? Salem has had a minor league baseball team for as long as I can remember. I’m sure they existed long before that, too. When I was a kid, they were the Salem … Continue reading …And the Home of the Brave
Sing
Cornerstone
Growing up in church, I sang. All the time. In fact, most of the kids that grew up at Villa Heights Baptist Church sang. It's just what we did. It was part of our Wednesday night routine. From ages 2 to 102. That's an exaggeration. Not everyone sang in the adult choir. But I have … Continue reading Cornerstone
AFI #40 – The Sound of Music
The Sound of Music 1965 Directed by Robert Wise Netflix says... In Rodgers and Hammerstein's greatest collaboration, a feisty postulant named Maria (Julie Andrews) is sent to care for the unruly, motherless Von Trapp children. She soon tames them--and finds herself falling for their stern father (Christopher Plummer). Oscar-winning director Robert Wise used stunning Austrian … Continue reading AFI #40 – The Sound of Music
The 5 Annoyances of Christmas
I know. You just read that title and thought, "This guy's such a Grinch!" But I'm really not. I love Christmas. I might not get as into the holiday spirit as a lot of people do, but I certainly don't sit around thinking of ways to ruin Christmas for everyone around me. There are just … Continue reading The 5 Annoyances of Christmas
Sharp
Conner could feel how sharp the razor was as it scraped across his face. Shaving was such a hassle, but it was necessary. Especially today. He finished removing the stubble from his cheeks and chin and splashed water in his face. He took a look at himself in the mirror, just to make sure he … Continue reading Sharp
Nap Time
Welcome to In the Words of a Non-Parent! The part of the blog where I, a non-parent, give parenting advice to parents. Today we explore what happens when your kids just won't go to sleep. It's frustrating, right? So you've put your toddler down for his or her afternoon nap and the kid just won't … Continue reading Nap Time
Question of the Week #83
If you were helping to raise money for a charity and someone agreed to make a large contribution if you would perform at the upcoming fund-raising show, would you? If so, what would you like to perform? Assume the show would have an audience of about 1,000. When I was a kid, maybe 2nd or … Continue reading Question of the Week #83
Carpool Karaoke
One of my favorite things to do in this world is to get in the car and drive while cranking up the radio/iPod/CD player and singing to the tops of my lungs. Mostly, that's because singing is one of my favorite things to do in this world. The driving, I could take it or leave … Continue reading Carpool Karaoke
Remembering Anne
Up until my senior year of high school, my family attended Villa Heights Baptist Church in Roanoke, Virginia. Up until my junior year of high school, Villa Heights had a fantastic music minister in Anne Eakin. Anne was our worship leader every Sunday morning and evening. Anne was our choir director. And she didn't just … Continue reading Remembering Anne
His Eye Is On the Sparrow
I'm not really sure why I act surprised when God comes through and provides for my needs when all seems lost. It's happened time and again. Maybe it's in my nature to doubt. I know it's my nature to try and rely on myself first, even though I know I should go to Him first. … Continue reading His Eye Is On the Sparrow
The Confusing Middle 