Author Archives: ltrainlane

OK, so I “survived” my first week with Otto….my fears of taking care of a dog (especially the cleanup) have faded. As Jenn has been out of town the last few days, it’s just been the two of us….and I have enjoyed this in a way I couldn’t even fathom 10 days ago. Being aContinue reading “my best friend is floofy.”

Sometimes, it’s the little things that make us happy….a smile from a stranger, a call from a friend, or hearing a favorite song on the radio. I have a new addition to the list – the joy of my puppy pooping after walking him for almost 90 minutes. I can only compare this to howContinue reading “proud puppy papa.”

We got a puppy. We got a very happy puppy. We got a very BIG puppy. We adopted Otto from a rescue shelter in Williamsburg VA yesterday, and it truly has been one of the happiest things that I’ve ever done. People tell you that when it’s your own pet, you instantly feel this levelContinue reading “ottopalooza. (aka it’s definitely not about me anymore.)”

A “guest writer” for this blog post. These are the words of my older brother Lee Stowe, a pastor and teacher in Upstate New York. His words perfectly describe how many of us are feeling right now. Hi, everyone— I’ve been giving this some thought, and this may go for awhile. I invite you toContinue reading “big brother.”

Some days I just enjoy the silence…not just the quiet outside, but giving my mind a rest. It’s been such an unusual year, and the stress of 2020 has taken its toll. Right now, I’m reveling in the quiet. There are a lot of things that are out of whack in our lives right now.Continue reading “quiet, please.”

Like many, I was very saddened to hear of Eddie Van Halen’s passing yesterday. After losing Helen Reddy and Mac Davis last week, it seems like 2020 has been especially unkind to the music industry. What hit me so hard about Eddie’s passing is that we lost another musician who revolutionized his instrument. Although IContinue reading “music legends never die.”

Today did not go as I thought it would…..and that WASN’T a bad thing. Sometimes something unexpected happens, and it takes you in an unexpected direction…..and it allows you to show genuine kindness and put others first. That was my day today. I was able to catch up with a friend, and do something kindContinue reading “getting back what you give.”

To be clear, this post is not about Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. Yesterday was a day of tragedy. In addition to the verdict which confirmed that there are still flaws in our justice system, an icon of sports and a very respected human being passed away. That person was Gale Sayers. The “KansasContinue reading “40 & 41.”

Tomorrow is the 19th anniversary of one of the worst days in our country’s history. It’s a day that should be a day of mourning, and it should also be a day when we all pause and reflect. I remember so many things about that day, right down to the clothes I wore to workContinue reading “9/11 – remembering what we must never forget.”

2020 has been a year where we’ve learned a lot about the people around us. From a political standpoint, we’ve become even mode divided, as we’ve discovered how different our beliefs are, and long-term friendships have ended. People have been almost proud to brag about their disdain for others. For the longest time, I wasContinue reading “grin and bare it.”