Live from the kitchen: It's the dad!
The one about lighthouses and dads

The one about lighthouses and dads

My wife called me a name today. And this time, I didn’t mind. We were sitting at the table when she brought up how our two boys watch me. That’s nothing new to me, for that’s one of the first things they teach you in Dad School 101. You’re a...
The one where Mike grew a backbone

The one where Mike grew a backbone

It wasn't too long after that when I heard a loud voice to my left. It was the woman in front of the two boys, Dork 1 and Dork 2.
What came in the mail

What came in the mail

At first I think Barb has mailed a letter without enough postage. It's one of the biggest fears of hers, I think, rivaling that of sharks and music not produced by Josh Groban.
Why I'm a mover and a shaker

Why I’m a mover and a shaker

You don't want me operating on you. They won't allow me to be a dentist ever, because you don't want these shaking hands drilling in your mouth.
Inspiration in the meat section

Inspiration in the meat section

My daughter Lacey and I carried the 4-foot-wide handmade banner into the master bedroom in the dark. Our goal was not to disturb my wife asleep in the queen bed behind us at around 2 a.m.
Are you there God? It's me, Mike

Are you there God? It’s me, Mike

Explain to me why you made tofu again? Was it just an off day? Everybody has one of those. While we're on the subject of food, feel free to smite anybody who came up with the idea of avacados. I'll look the other way, I promise.
To be the kid of a newspaper man

To be the kid of a newspaper man

When you're the kid of a newspaper man, boring trips to the store transform to a front-row seat at an apartment fire, vehicle collision or other emergency.
Slacker Dad takes a vow of romance

Slacker Dad takes a vow of romance

I think it's time I try to be more romantic on Valentine's Day, maybe even other days as well. I think it's time I step up my game, and not just for a greater chance of (cough) You Know.
5 rules for borrowing (and a confession)

5 rules for borrowing (and a confession)

Good thing you don’t live next to us. Because my boys will ask to borrow anything that isn't encased in cement or protected by armed guards.
Feet of strength

Feet of strength

I’m leery to blog about feet. Honestly, it scares me just a little. Because you write one blog post about feet and you’re labeled for life. He’s got a foot fetish, just like New York Jets coach Rex Ryan. (Not true.) At least it’s better than shoving his foot in his mouth...
Signs you are twittering too much

Signs you are twittering too much

Back in 2008, I came up with my own list of signs you are Twittering too much. They were moderately clever in a time before Oprah and Tom Hanks got their Twitter accounts. Signs included: • You sign your checks with your @screenname. • You tell your wife you can...
The latest

Five people you meet in Albany

One more thing before I close up shop and apologize to Mitch Albom for this headline. After all the words I’ve devoted to me on this column, this one is about you. It has to be that way on this final Sunday here. You were my church leaders, you were an amazing worker at Taco...

14 ways to stay in a rut

“The only difference between a rut and a grave are the dimensions.” Ellen Glasgow Success is a crutch. It’s much easier to watch actors and athletes live out their dreams instead of going for our own. If you don’t jump too high, it doesn’t hurt as bad when you fall. Live for today, or until...

Use the pause button

I have a DVR addiction. There, I said it. That’s the first step, so they tell me. It’s just that I love pausing things. Love reversing action on the field, watching plays in slow-mo or watching sunflower seeds suspended in flight. This DVR idea doesn’t work so well with the kids, but I know somebody...

“I’m going to get my gun!”

"He doesn't have a gun," I told the college kids gathered around us. One of them looked at me in surprise. "Of course he is," he said exasperated. "Look!"

Spiritual nerd gets a wake-up call

Been learning a lot about faith this week, about trusting that there is indeed fruit and honey at the end of the wilderness. That’s always been hard for me, this idea of believing in things I can’t see. Despite repeated miracles in my own life, I still doubt. I want everything spelled out in a...

I might comply as soon as I’ve had lunch

I understand completely. The experience made me realize that I've complied too much, obeyed for too long.

The reason why we take boys camping

Even at their best, boys can be at their worst. It's not that they're that bad. It's just at times that they are prone to complain, whine, fight, belch, stink, bully, kick, rationalize and make you dizzy from the roller coaster that is puberty.

Classic Mike: Four levels of clean

Got to see my parole officer today … for leaving a pen out on the counter for more than 30 minutes. This is serious business, folks when you live in a clean home. Something like this could easily get my Reformed Slob status revoked. This got me thinking of my Hierarchy of House Cleaning. Which...

Beethoven would be pleased

I was almost ready to leave the church today when I heard him playing the piano.

Disrespect intended

It really must be about us. We really are all that, otherwise why would we do the things we do? Look at us. We talk during performances, take cell phone calls at the counter, let our kids samba on the buffet table and don’t even to pretend to look at somebody when they’re telling a...
17 little tips that have nothing to do with peanut butter

17 little tips that have nothing to do with peanut butter

Stop at any lemonade stand operated by kids 8 and younger. Only exception is if they are running a debit card reader. Or forgot to shave.

Why uncertainty is much nicer than this

All I had to do is deal with a teaspoon of uncertainty that day. That's all.