Every October triggers a happy memory, like a button gets pressed in my head.

Forty-two years ago, I watched the World Series with Paw-Paw, my grandfather. We cheered as the Baltimore Orioles, our favorite team, won the championship.

Paw-Paw sat in his recliner, well-worn as an old catcher’s mitt, while I plopped on the couch beside him. As the box television hummed, we talked about players and grumbled about bad calls.

Baseball became our shared language.

Paw-Paw’s brother (Uncle Sam), lived in Baltimore and would send us all types of O's goodies, such as cards and stickers. I still have them tucked in a shoebox.

This week, the 2025 World Series started. And once again, I'm transported back to my grandparent’s living room on Everett Street.

Some languages you never forget.

I took this path every day for a year.

In middle school, my buddy and I walked home each afternoon and used one particular cut-through: a private neighborhood known as May’s Lake.

Multi-million dollar homes with sprawling yards. Wooded paths plus a little stone bridge. And of course, the quiet lake.

This shortcut adventure dropped us off on a main street, just a few blocks from our front doors.

We logged hundreds of walks, but I haven’t wandered that way in decades.

Today’s normal becomes tomorrow’s nostalgic faster than you think. Magic is happening right now in your everyday life, even if you don’t recognize it yet.

Take a minute and look around. Appreciate the scenery.

Everything changes.

The world has a porridge champion.

The 32nd World Porridge Making Championship recently took place in Scotland, drawing hopefuls from around the globe.

Competitors had just 30 minutes to craft magic from their pots and could only use water, oats, and salt.

The secret to greatness, however, lies in the variables. Stirring direction and room humidity can turn a good dish into a legendary one.

This year, a first-time contender seized the crown by breaking a sacred tradition. He used a spatula and defied centuries of porridge-making technique.

The win proves a powerful point: methods matter.

So, always question the “right way” of doing things. Innovation often starts with a small rebellion.

Why follow the rules when you can flip them?

165,000 square feet of amazement.

Today we (Jake, Sam, Will, McKenzie, Jess, and I) wandered through the sprawling Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg.

Room after room unfolded like a gallery of riches: gleaming silver, British ceramics, Southern furniture, musical instruments. Every piece whispered a story.

Looking at the priceless objects, our conversation turned to the recent news from Paris.

Thieves stole jewels from the Louvre in a bold daylight operation. Using a cherry-picker and angle grinder, they got access to royal artifacts through a balcony window.

In about seven minutes, the robbers grabbed eight gems linked to France’s prized collection. Then they escaped on motorbikes.

Security is often an illusion. The Louvre, one of the most secure places on earth, was breached.

Sometimes obvious threats arrive, but we can miss them because we’re not really watching. Complacency is a vulnerability.

Guard the important treasures of your life, such as relationships and health. Vigilance in these areas can’t be outsourced.

One unguarded window can cause a world of trouble.

Lovebirds with house keys.

The first place Jess and I ever owned was small but filled with love. Those walls became the setting for the foundational chapters of our life together.

And today, we moved McKenzie and Will into their new Williamsburg house.

After a year in a Richmond apartment, they packed their possessions into a giant U-Haul and camped with us for a few days.

Then this afternoon came with excitement. And a mountain of cardboard boxes.

Jake and Sam arrived for fall break at exactly the right time. They crushed it. Every move needs a couple of young guys with muscles.

Will’s parents joined us as well, bringing pizza and extra help for the big occasion.

Soon, this roof will hold fresh traditions. A growing family will breathe new life into these rooms.

We carried more than boxes today.

Goosebumps are wonderfully strange.

Your body is always communicating, and these bumps offer a signal.

They pop up when tiny muscle fibers in the skin tighten, sparked by your fight-or-flight system.

Think of these chills as a dashboard light or a “spidey sense.” They tell you something is profoundly awesome or that you should probably run.

Body and mind are deeply connected, translating emotions into the tangible. Never underestimate the power of this link.

To feel goosebumps is to feel, and a reminder to engage with life.

Seek the things that raise your skin.

Collect goosebumps like frequent flyer miles.

What a cool device.

Back in the early 2000s, we stood on technology’s edge using TiVo, a magical little box that hummed under our television.

Maybe you remember:

The curvy remote.
The secret skip code.
The classic “bloop!” — a bubbly tone which made button presses satisfying.

This slick machine transformed TV watching by letting us pause live broadcasts and jump past commercials. We could also build our own library of shows and movies. This was uncharted territory.

The word “TiVo” became a verb, such as, “I’m going to TiVo the show.”

With sadness, I read recently the company has sold its last DVR. Cord-cutting and streaming have taken a toll.

Yet there are people who refuse to let go. Some longtime fans still cling to them and aren’t ready to unclutch the remote.

Even revolutionary ideas have a life cycle. Nothing, no matter how groundbreaking, lasts forever.

TiVo disrupted traditional TV, only to be disrupted by streaming. There’s always a new wave coming, so learn to ride the current or get swept away.

The TiVo legacy lives on in my memories, and it’s hard to say farewell to something that served us so well.

Still, sometimes you just have to.

So long… and thanks for all the bloops.

This riddle fools almost everybody.

For years, I’ve shared it with everyone from kids in classrooms to executives in boardrooms.

My estimate is maybe 1% has guessed correctly, even though the answer relies on pure common sense and delivers an “Aha!” the moment it clicks.

Here you go:

A man is writing a letter.
The power goes out.
He dies.
Why?

(answer at the bottom)

The solution is simple, but difficult to see. And this puzzle offers so many life lessons:

• We tend to overcomplicate problems

• Context is everything

• Our first perception is rarely the whole picture

• A single perspective can lock you from vital clues

• Hindsight makes the invisible seem obvious

• Beware the path of least resistance in problem-solving

• The most important part of any story is often what’s left unsaid — learn to read the silence

• Always ask “why” until you hit the root

Are you ready for the great reveal?

So, why does the man die?

He’s in an airplane, skywriting.

Whenever you tackle a challenge, remember… solutions often hide in plain sight.

A fun question, but can you answer it?

If a fly buzzes in the car as you’re traveling 60 mph, is it moving at 60 mph to keep up?

Why or why not?

Hello, physics. When the car zips down the highway, the fly only needs to move relative to the cabin air.

That inside air flows with the vehicle, so the insect just cruises along with the passengers. No superhero effort required.

This reveals a powerful little truth: the “fly-in-the-car” principle.

Environments carry you, so surround yourself with people who operate at the speed you want to go. Like the air in the car, those around you will propel you forward or hold you back.

Effort is relative to your environment. With the right support, you don’t have to exhaust yourself to make progress.

A cheetah on a scooter will lose to a turtle riding a bullet train every time.

Since your success is a huge result of your positioning, being in the right place is a form of intelligence.

And you’ll go farther and faster.

You’ll never look at this the same again.

The Honeycrisp, America’s favorite apple.

For growers, the superstar produce is a nightmare. It’s finicky to harvest, and one farmer called it an “absolute diva.”

Imagine an apple demanding to wear sequins while living in bubble wrap. Yes, a fruit with serious red-carpet energy.

The delicate skins bruise easily with just a side eye. The trees are fussy and throw tantrums. Even storage brings headaches.

That’s why drama this intense comes with a premium price tag.

But consumers don’t seem to mind. The amazing taste wins over fans as farmers get new gray hairs.

What’s the bite-sized lesson? Great results sprout from boring discipline. Big expectations need tried-and-true processes.

Glam always requires a grind.

Now go enjoy that high-maintenance crunch. Ah… fabulous, darling.

Wanna smell like a donut?

Sweet scents are sneaking into the shower. Dunkin’ Donuts created Vanilla Sprinkle deodorants and Boston Kreme shampoos.

Dove partnered with Crumbl cookies on Lemon Glaze scrubs. Bath & Body Works launched Birthday Cake mists and hand sanitizers.

Dessert has hit the mainstream. What’s going on?

It’s like your armpits are hosting a bake sale. Or you won a fight with a cupcake.

Reactions split the room. Brands know these aromas can create strong opinions, but the debate is part of the fun.

Hey, wear your favorite flavor if it makes you happy. Uniformity is boring. Be a frosted donut in a world of blah soaps.

Just test before you go all in.

And be prepared if someone asks to lick you.

A Friday night to remember.

Will, McKenzie, Jess, and I went to Richmond tonight. First stop: Taco Bamba, a restaurant featuring amazing tacos and Mexican street food.

Their spicy offerings hit like a piñata full of fireworks. And the founder has cooked at the White House for Presidents Obama and Bush.

Will ordered a sandwich roughly the size of a sofa, the largest entrée I’ve ever seen. And he downed every crumb.

Then we headed to The National, a 1,500-seat concert hall opened in 1923. Famous artists like Willie Nelson, the Foo Fighters, and Elvis Costello have played there. The walls tell stories.

We came to watch Johnnyswim, fronted by husband and wife duo Abner and Amanda Ramirez. Their song “Home” turned into the theme for TV's Fixer Upper, which launched the band’s reach.

Fun tidbit: Amanda is Donna Summer’s daughter. By the way… their new album, When the War Is Over, is worth a listen.

How to end an epic evening? Krispy Kreme, of course. We grabbed an assorted dozen before making the hour trip home.

A sweet finale.

Are we shrinking?

According to experts, after age 40, our height drops about 1 cm per decade. Why? Spinal discs dry out and compress, like sponges left in the sun.

With posture changes and weaker muscles, it’s a slow ride to the basement.

But there are ways to pump the brakes:

• Stretch often

• Lift weights

• Get calcium with vitamin D

• Skip tobacco

• Go easy on alcohol

Aging and gravity are nonnegotiable. Physical change is inevitable.

But we still have some control. While none of us can dodge life’s forces, we can always choose our “posture” — how we respond. The fight is more than bones and muscles.

Train your mind to climb not crouch. Stand tall, no matter the challenges.

Shrinking speeds up only when effort slows down, so keep your spine strong and your spirit stronger.

Aim for a life lived upward, not downward.

Bring back the flip phone.

A growing crowd of Gen Z and younger millennials has decided enough is enough. They’re trading smartphones for flip phones and point-and-shoot cameras. Even buying CDs again.

All in the name of peace and quiet.

The constant buzzing fades. The brain stops sprinting. And many say this digital detoxing helps improve focus.

This movement reflects a deeper tug-of-war: love for tech vs. a desire to escape it. Unplugging can feel terrifying at first, then freeing. Like swapping a jet for a bicycle. You still move forward, but slowly enough to enjoy the view.

What they’re really chasing is something money can’t buy.

Mental space.

It’s about finding time to breathe without checking for Wi-Fi. Experiencing life minus a screen is returning to an era before everything had a password.

Sometimes the newest version of happiness resembles the old one.

Now if you’ll excuse me, my CD is skipping.

A book with a side of garlic, please.

I just heard Jennifer L. Armentrout’s romantasy novel, The Primal of Blood and Bone is getting a scented-ink edition. Yes, the pages will smell of garlic.

It’s like Twilight and Olive Garden had a baby.

In the story, the scent repels monsters, so the author and marketers ran with it. A wild idea. Maybe brilliant.

Romance and garlic shouldn’t work, yet somehow they do.

With projects, leave room for playful experiments. Magic often hides in unlikely pairings, and creativity grows in odd soil.

The next time a quirky thought wanders into your head, avoid shooing it away. “What if?” can lead to “Why not?” and then “Wow.”

Just keep your breath mints close.

A question for the ages: to shave or not to shave?

Every man faces the hairy dilemma: embrace the rugged allure of a beard or stick with baby smooth? I’ve always preferred a clean mug, despite a misguided goatee phase.

Sometimes I daydream about life on an abandoned island, sporting a wild beard like Tom Hanks in Cast Away. I think I could grow one. But the constant itching would drive me mad.

This week, I read about Rudolf Martino, the Guinness World Records holder for the longest natural beard on a living person.

The length? A magnificent 3 feet 6 inches.

For perspective, that’s taller than a toddler. And over a foot higher than the world’s shortest woman.

Rudolf has dedicated over ten years to sprout his beard, with no intention of stopping. His flowing chin locks are now his calling card.

So what is your defining feature?

Maybe you grow ideas instead of whiskers. Or you’re known for legendary kindness. Perhaps fashion is your trademark or elaborate cooking or showing up early to every meeting.

Find your thing and wear it proudly.

Go be the Rudolf of your own world.

Every time we drove to Norfolk, the kids knew it would happen.

I would veer off the main road and drive onto a quiet side street. After parking by the curb at 108 Windham, we’d roll down the windows and stare.

Why? That little place was a big part of our story, the first house Jess and I ever owned, where we brought home two babies, McKenzie and Luke.

Each corner holds memories from long ago. The front door welcomed us daily. The bedroom windows watched over sleeping newborns. The yard once contained a splashing baby pool.

A couple’s first place always carries a certain magic and deserves regular visits. Old homes act like living photo albums, and when you park long enough, you’re right back where the story began.

Today, we helped McKenzie and Will move from their apartment. They boxed up their first year together and prepared for a new home.

And one thing I know for certain.

Someday, they’ll drive back to that spot, pull up to the curb, and roll down the windows.

Just to sit for a while and stare.

Just to remember.

Ever showered in the dark?

A new TikTok trend says you should. People call it “dark showering,” and the idea actually sounds peaceful.

It’s pretty simple: flick off the bright bathroom lights and let your mind quiet down. The dimness supposedly helps lower cortisol (the “stress hormone”) faster than bathing under a fluorescent glare.

Consider it a reboot for your brain’s Wi-Fi.

Another benefit? The phone stays out, and for several glorious minutes, you remember what silence feels like. Some folks go a step further by adding candles or essential oils.

Maybe you don’t need a fancy retreat in the Alps. Often life’s good stuff comes in the tiny routines.

I think about it every time.

When the kids were little, we made regular trips to nearby Busch Gardens. As we approached, once the rollercoasters could be seen in the distance, they would always shout in unison:

“Hallelujah, praise the Lord, Busch Gardens!”

I don’t know how this started, but the chant went on for years. Now, whenever I pass a sign for the park, I hear their voices.

That happened tonight. Jess and I met friends there for Howl-O-Scream, the Halloween-themed takeover. As fog rolled across the paths and creepy characters lurked around corners, the old saying from our children rang again in my head.

Yep, I came for scares but ended up nostalgic.

And with all the weirdness surrounding us, screaming for Jesus somehow felt appropriate.

Forget stuffy conference rooms and plastic name tags.

Apparently, the hottest spot to mingle now involves steam and towels. Welcome to the sauna.

I read this week that saunas have turned into unlikely social hotspots. Professionals are swapping suits for sweat sessions and using heated chambers for networking and dating. All under a terry wrap.

The theory… when you’re half-melting beside someone, there's greater vulnerability and connection. A surefire way to break the ice. Nobody looks glamorous in a sauna, and that’s the point. Sweat is the new handshake.

The sessions aren’t cheap, but many see the experience as a “premium social wellness subscription.” I guess the best bonds often start in uncomfortable moments.

Hot leads, literally.