Life Lessons
10 stories in this category.
Professor Bo Kai
I went to college when I was twenty-five, and here's what I learned.
Only The Things That Matter
Dirt was a disaster as a puppy. The third day after I brought him home, I took him to the vet.
The Happiness Curve
We ain't real into mathematics over here at the Dirty House.
Are We Just Bored?
I NEED TO address something. It’s come to my attention my brother, Mud, was feeling a bit… how do you say?... inspired, and thought it would be a neat idea to inform MY fans of a certain type of “news” or “update” every Thursday. Even going as far as calling it “The Mud.” (what an egotistical name), but before I drop his idea in the blender, I thought we should go over my rules one more time…
I Have A Question...
I wonder if dogs ask questions? Where are you from? How did you get here? How did it make you feel? Mind if I smell your butt? I’m not so sure they do, but I’m also not sure they just make statements. I’ve been working on asking instead of stating—being curious instead of responsive. Now, I can only speak for myself, but it ain’t all that easy, especially when someone is trying to be vulnerable or share a difficult topic.
Sonder | Eclipse
TODAY IS A special day. It is a day to reflect. A day to remember that everything we are, everything we know, everyone we’ve ever met, every animal, every breath of air, every memory, emotion, success, and failure has taken place on this planet. In just a few hours, the moon will cross in front of the sun. The sky will darken, and the temperature will drop. And we’re all going to look up. Let the moment strip away all of your accomplishments, titles, wrongs, and rights, all of your fortune or la
One Of Those Weeks... Part II
HE STOPPED FOR a Gatorade and a burrito on the way to the EV (Emergency Vet). True story. A freaking burrito at a time like this. Yes, I’ll admit, the burritos at Samer Express are insanely good. Perhaps even award-winning good. Avocado, cilantro, crispy rice and beans, and that verde hot sauce…hmm hmm. I’d nip my own heels for a bite of one right now. I digress… The point is y’all should be furious he stopped to get a burrito at a time like this. Furious. But yes, I would likely have done the s
One Of Those Weeks...
IT’S THURSDAY MORNING. I’m sitting in the truck mechanic's waiting room — hopefully, the last waiting room for the week. It’s been one of those weeks. Those weeks. The type of week the storyteller in me loves, but the human dreads. One minute, everything’s fine. The next minute, nothing is fine. The lead in a story I didn't want to write. A puppet in your own puppet show, with no control of the strings. I’ve avoided baiting my “idea hooks” with the macabre for fear of what I might catch. Maybe i
Make A Mess
Emergency Vet. Saturday afternoon. The waiting room was quiet when we arrived. One lady sat in the corner holding her only 8-week-old puppy in a blanket and her 3-month-old baby in a carriage on the floor at her feet. She seemed stressed. “Well, we know who’s winning the cute award today,” I said. These waiting rooms are nothing but anxiety manufacturing plants. I couldn’t help but attempt some light humor. “I think she broke her leg last night when she was chasing after her older sister,” she t
3 Things We Learn When Our Dogs Roll In Poop
Yesterday Was Yesterday Dirt & Mud seem to be happy. Everyday. Without fail. I’m not convinced it’s a choice they're making, but they certainly aren’t allowing their screw-ups to define them. So as I watched Mud wallow around in armadillo musk this morning, it got me thinking… If I’m only happy when things are good, am I allowing my yesterdays to define my tomorrows? Poop happens to all of us. It’s what makes us unique. Whether it’s childhood trauma or your first heartbreak, the hard stuff shape