Reflections on my upbringing, fatherhood, and trying to be a better person.
“Dad, are you famous?” Silas, my eight-year-old, asked me the other day. “No, not really,” I replied. He was a little disappointed. Maybe even felt sorry for me. Because he then said
What My Kids Think of My Music Read More »
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
Protected: Secret Songs Club (#17) Read More »
Whether you’re vegan or gluten free, or whether you have money for pizza or don’t, and even whether you hate pizza (who are you?) or love it and want to marry it—I would encourage you to celebrate Pizza Friday every single week. Does it have to be Friday? No. Does it have to be pizza?
Why I Celebrate Pizza Friday (Every Week) Read More »
I was in kindergarten the day I spilled my chocolate milk all over Andy Kolberg’s lap. Unfortunately, for his pants and my thirst, I don’t think a drop remained inside the carton. It was as though that particular carton’s entire life was preparation for that moment: to make Andy Kolberg appear like he’d peed himself
The Chocolate Milk Incident of 1987 Read More »
So many of you clicked and “hearted” and wrote such nice things about “Take You Home.” As a way of saying thanks, I asked my mom if she’d mind sharing this little family gift with you.
Thank you. Here’s a gift from my mom. Read More »
Growing up my sisters and I would spend summer days roaming the neighborhoods on our bikes, heading home when the street lights started to buzz or my dad whistled with his index fingers. Then when I was around 8 or 9, my parents gave each of us a dog tag bracelet. It was a shiny
Why My Parents Dog Tagged Me as a Kid Read More »
I didn’t feel right about posting a secret song yesterday. I also don’t feel right about saying much. Partly because I’m afraid I’ll say the wrong things. But also because I’m listening and processing. It feels like I will be (and should be) for the rest of my life. I’ll just share one anecdote. Because
I Was Wrong, and I’m Sorry Read More »
I am writing you from a makeshift hunting blind on the outer edge of my backyard. My sons Silas and August sit cross-legged beside me in the cool grass. Silas holds a yellow mason’s string tied to a twig 30 yards away. The twig props a cardboard box leaning upside down over rabbit pellets. Rabbit
Kids 1, Quarantine 0 Read More »
I was 16 when Adam Grafstrom asked me to join his band. He and Tony Erickson, the drummer, needed a bass player for their classic rock cover band. I was terrified. Real bands stood directly in front of people. I was used to church bands. We sat off to the side, like an orchestra pit.
Stage Fright at the Kittson County Fair Read More »
I grew up in a house with one bathroom and three sisters. Add my mom and dad and you don’t have to be a mathematician to know that’s an equation begging for logistical problems. Easier jobs have been given to air traffic controllers.
The Legend of Jim and Lynn Kvidt Read More »