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Another stop on our trip was Rhodes, Greece. It was a wonderful place to walk, soak in the history, and experience Turkish coffee at Mevlana (established in the 14th century). As we toured around, our guide pointed out that the city was laid out like…

Yeah, I know. Seedless watermelons are the big thing. Science has figured out how to deliver these juicy globes of deliciousness into our hands without the bother of those pesky black seeds. I say, "BOOOOOOOO!" I remember summer days sitting on our front steps, spitting…

For those who know me, you know I am a bit of a coffee nerd. I roast my own beans and have a blast experimenting with combinations that produce interesting flavors. On our recent vacation, I was thrilled to be able to visit, albeit briefly,…

As we traveled by bus through Sicily, we found ourselves on NARROW roads filled with switchbacks and tight curves. Our tour guide assured us that the driver knew what he was doing and explained that the only rule for driving in Sicily is: There Are…

I write this with a degree of trepidation, as well as a wry smile. As you might recall, I asked whether we should keep our monthly Zoom get-togethers for men only, open them up to women, or invite couples. I can’t say the responses were…

I met a friend at an event a few weeks ago. He’s still working and sees no alternative, not for financial reasons, but because, as he put it so clearly, "I have no idea what I’d do with myself. I used to love playing sports,…

If I’ve learned anything in the more than 240 episodes of the Chapter X podcast, it’s that sharing stories is an important part of life. I see this from several perspectives. First, and maybe most importantly, we are giving a part of ourselves to others…

I think it’s fair to say that one of the struggles many men experience is connecting with others and making new acquaintances and friends. As a dedicated introvert, it can be a painful and anxiety-filled experience. With that in mind, it pushes me to think…