When I was a teenager cars were of great fascination and a source of status in Pueblo. That was an age where style was more important than function. It was before muscle cars—just hot rods and “Cherry-ed Out” anythings—save a Nash Rambler. The color of choice for the real gear heads was Candy Apple Red,… Continue reading

This Sunday starts the first week of Advent. It is also the first time I will preach since August. I got an ‘unintentional sabbatical’ for 12 weeks. For any of you first time readers, I contracted a “breakthrough delta variant” covid infection which put me in the hospital for 18 days. For the last almost… Continue reading

This past Wednesday we took the “scenic route” from Granbury, Texas to Plainville, Kansas. We had spent a week in Texas with daughter Amy and family, where it could not have been any better for Papa Mark. It was topped off last Sunday with a Denver Bronco romping of the Dallas Cowboys.We treated the whole… Continue reading

I have spent the last few weeks in the heart of our medical system. I have nothing but gratitude for the competent care I have received. My Primary Care doc who has worked with me since 2009, retired in the midst of this journey. I am grateful for her but even for me, who thinks… Continue reading

Thirty-seven years ago go I became a “Step-Father”. The word “step” anything carries baggage—thank you Disney and Cinderella. I personally find the added descriptor confusing at best. There are wonderful stories of “step” relationships that flourish and inspire. There are others that best be left to rot in their failures of trust, respect, or decency.… Continue reading

The last week of February 2020, I got a phone call from my son Mateo. “Dad, have you been following this Corona virus? You better batten down the hatches because this is going to be bad!!!” We talked quite a bit and he got my attention. The next week he called me again and asked… Continue reading

The last week of February 2020, I got a phone call from my son Mateo. “Dad, have you been following this Corona virus? You better batten down the hatches because this is going to be bad!!!” We talked quite a bit and he got my attention. The next week he called me again and asked… Continue reading

My grandson Mattias is now a Senior in high school. I know it would be easy to discount my praise as the ramblings of a typical grandparent. When he could barely walk it became apparent that he had God-given musical gifts. At age two when he would hear a microwave bell he might say “C#”.… Continue reading

In 1955 my folks built our family home on the edge of “Belmont”, which was the Pueblo version of the suburbs. Our house was at the top of a long and large hill. Our backyard faced east and for six years our fence was the only barrier as far as you could see, towards Kansas.… Continue reading

I found out last week that I have a new monicker. My nephew Jed, lives 30 miles from me. He has the rare privilege of being my nearest relative. I have the gift of being close to my beloved sister Rita’s boy. My grandkids (who would be Jed’s 2nd cousin) actually call him “Uncle Jed”.… Continue reading