Dearest Rachel – Honestly, this is a phrase that could cover this entire site; I’ve said time and again that I’d assumed we’d have had decades together, where we would see the world (and show it to Daniel), and enjoy each other’s company for the rest of our lives. Especially given your family history ofContinue reading “I’d Hoped to Have More Time…”
Category Archives: Updates From the Abandoned Planet
Going Our Own Way
Dearest Rachel – At the risk of possibly earworming you with that old Fleetwood Mac song (which absolutely does not apply; I checked both the lyrics and the backstory, and yeah, it’s completely out of place in this context), this pretty much summed up our excursion today into Tokyo. I was okay with riding theContinue reading “Going Our Own Way”
More Than A Few Headaches
Dearest Rachel – For all that you apparently disliked air travel in general (a fact that I didn’t catch onto until our final year together, and will never quite get over, either that you were like that or that I never knew until then), I would think that flights to the Pacific would be perfectlyContinue reading “More Than A Few Headaches “
With His Blessing
Dearest Rachel – I’ve mentioned before that, like with my trip early in 2024, I – we, since Daniel is coming with this time around – have Dad’s blessing to head out on this trip. Despite the fact that his baseline health is noticeably worse than it was back then – what he’s been easedContinue reading “With His Blessing”
“You Are Legends”
Dearest Rachel – For all that we’ve set plans in motion to swiftly bring Dad back home to be comfortable in his last days, there’s more that needs to be taken care of than the “comfort care” organization can or will provide. After all, they’re basically fully paid for by Medicare, but there are thingsContinue reading ““You Are Legends””
The “Suddenly” Part
Dearest Rachel – There’s a line in one of Hemingway’s novels where a character is asked how it came to be that he went bankrupt. His response is an interesting one, but one that makes perfect sense upon reflection: “Gradually… and then suddenly.” I haven’t read the novel in question – I don’t even knowContinue reading “The “Suddenly” Part”
Secret Keeper
Dearest Rachel – Three weeks ago, while Dad was still in the hospital before being transferred into the rehabilitation center that he’s staying at presently, he was visited by our lead pastor. Not to offer any sort of last rites or anything like that; for one thing (as you know), we don’t do that, atContinue reading “Secret Keeper”
Hung Up On the Future
Dearest Rachel – It’s weird to realize that, in less than a week from now, Daniel and I will be winging our way back to Tokyo after a little more than two months. It somehow manages to take the punch out of the convention, in much the same way that two years ago, it feltContinue reading “Hung Up On the Future”
Odd Thoughts
Dearest Rachel – I’ll be honest; I didn’t know when or whether I’d actually get around to writing you this weekend. It’s why I had something mostly pre-written for Friday – and a good thing, too, as I was too busy once we arrived at the convention to really actually get much written down yesterday.Continue reading “Odd Thoughts”
Only So Much Time
Dearest Rachel – Given that I prefer to get a letter out to you early on in the day, in case I run out of time as the day wears on, today is going to be a real challenge. It’s why I’m trying to at least get it started a couple of days beforehand, soContinue reading “Only So Much Time”
Cleaning Up Beforehand
Dearest Rachel – This is a topic of discussion that would never have come up between us in your lifetime. During that first year, when Jan was helping me clear the house of so much stuff that could not be gotten rid of for any one of so many reasons, she informed me that sheContinue reading “Cleaning Up Beforehand”
The Letter of the Law
Dearest Rachel – I really thought this was long since over and done with by now, honey. Most of your parents’ estate issues seemed to have been sorted out even before the lockdown clamped down on us – although not entirely, which is part of why we were caught unprepared by the fact that youContinue reading “The Letter of the Law”
“I’ll Be Right Back”
Dearest Rachel – I promise you, this letter has nothing to do with that Black Mirror episode I keep referencing (and would still kind of like to live out, just to see for myself as to whether it’s as truly awful as the show makes it out to be). No, this is more along theContinue reading ““I’ll Be Right Back””
A Single Pillow
Dearest Rachel – When Dad’s latest health issue was at its most urgent, he was in the hospital, which is practically in our backyard (especially as compared to his and Mom’s house, where I have my ‘office’). As a result, it was no trouble – and indeed, I felt it more my responsibility than myContinue reading “A Single Pillow”
Babysitting Each Other
Dearest Rachel – Yesterday was a strange one, honey. Logan has headed downstate with his family, as his sister is wrapping up things at college – I forget if it’s her graduation proper, or her last turn on stage (I think she’s a theater major) – so the house is suddenly that much more quietContinue reading “Babysitting Each Other”
Mother’s Day
Dearest Rachel – You might recall that we have a traditional gift we get my mom for Mother’s Day (which, admittedly, often felt like a bit of a cop out, given how easy it was); we would head over to a local florist/garden center, and get her a gift card for the place. And whileContinue reading “Mother’s Day”
It’s My Own Fault
Dearest Rachel – I don’t know if it’s a case of my being preoccupied with one or another thing, or that you would have made it more of a priority than I have, but in either case, this would never have happened on your watch. The other day, while Daniel and I were catching upContinue reading “It’s My Own Fault”
Shivering From…?
Dearest Rachel – And just when we thought everything was sorted out, too… The thing is, Dad has been making it plain that, for all that he seemed to have been recovering from this third near-fatal incident, it’s not that he’s truly ‘getting better’ any more. On the contrary, each recovery settles him in atContinue reading “Shivering From…?”
A New Version of ‘Normal’
Dearest Rachel – Well, it would seem that the crisis has passed once again. After yet another scare, it looks like Dad is going to recover. He’s even making plans for what life will be like for him once he returns home, although he’s accepted that it won’t happen for at least three or fourContinue reading “A New Version of ‘Normal’”
The Boys Have Made Plans
Dearest Rachel – For all that I’ve been telling you about Dad’s latest wrestling match with mortality, there have been more than a few undercard bouts that have been on the bill that I haven’t touched on. There are a couple of which I’ve thrown in the sponge until a more opportune time, such asContinue reading “The Boys Have Made Plans”
Not Always Working Out
Dearest Rachel – I had originally thought to reference the Rolling Stones’ song about how “you can’t always get what you want” in the title, but when it comes to yesterday’s events (especially the afternoon), it most certainly wasn’t an offsetting case of Dad getting what he needed. Quite the contrary, in fact, but I’llContinue reading “Not Always Working Out”
The New Routine
Dearest Rachel – You’re aware that, when I asked the folks’ permission to set up an office in their basement, where Dad used to have his office, it wasn’t entirely altruistic, so as to be in the house in case they needed me to be there for some reason or other. Oh, there is that,Continue reading “The New Routine”
(Un)Moving Day
Dearest Rachel – Each day at the hospital is another case of not knowing how things are going to go, and what, if anything, is going to happen. Depending on how well he’s been able to sleep the night before, Dad’s mood could be one of contentment with whatever fate has in store for him,Continue reading “(Un)Moving Day”
Pizza Week
Dearest Rachel – After all the heavy stuff of this past weekend – and I’m not even going to touch on the stuff going on in the wider world, as that doesn’t really matter to us – I’d like to tell you about something a little lighter for a change. Granted, it doesn’t leave meContinue reading “Pizza Week”
Strange Delivery
Dearest Rachel – I’ve told you about mysterious deliveries that I’ve gotten at home, starting from the first few months or so after your departure. I have my suspicions as to who might’ve been responsible in one case or another, but nothing concrete to go on. However, as it turns out, I’m not the onlyContinue reading “Strange Delivery”
Weary from the Ride
Dearest Rachel – Each day is another ride on the roller coaster that is life; some days are wonderful and exhilarating, while others make your heart and lungs nearly fly out of your throat. And while at times it sounds like a fun way to look at life – even an actual day at anContinue reading “Weary from the Ride”
A Bleak Vision of the Future
Dearest Rachel – So, the last couple of days have been spent at Dad’s bedside for the better part of eight hours; slightly less than half my waking day. It’s the least I could do, given the fact that I don’t have to be at ‘work’ these days. For what it’s worth, it seems thatContinue reading “A Bleak Vision of the Future”
The Ultimate Role Model
Dearest Rachel – I freely admit it; while I make a point of showing up at the ‘office’ on a near-daily basis during the ‘work’ week, I almost never put in a full eight hour, nine-to-five ‘work’ day anymore. Since I don’t answer to a boss, and I take no pay for services rendered, thereContinue reading “The Ultimate Role Model”
Japanese Breakfast
Dearest Rachel – Even with the sudden, developing chaos of the past couple of days (now playing out at the ICU yet again; most of today’s work day will be spent over there, which is part of why I’m getting this written to you in the early hours of the morning) and the chronic, naggingContinue reading “Japanese Breakfast”
One Scare After Another
Dearest Rachel – This is going to sound familiar to you at this point, given the tumult that occupied much of the last five years of your life. The past couple of days have been just what I’ve said at the top of this letter – one scare after another – with regard to DadContinue reading “One Scare After Another”
So That I Can Go Back Again
Dearest Rachel – I didn’t do a lot of work on this letter to you yesterday when the subject occurred to me. After all, I was busying myself in the booth during the morning’s three services – and I had to keep on my toes, since there would be lulls at intermittent times in betweenContinue reading “So That I Can Go Back Again”
It’s Just Bugging Me…
Dearest Rachel – It’s not like Lars and me to go walking through the woods on a Friday. Generally, we tend to prefer earlier in the week, since it allows us to reschedule and postpone things if necessary; waiting until the last day of the week leaves us with no options, should something come up,Continue reading “It’s Just Bugging Me…”
Calling ‘Her’ Up – And Out
Dearest Rachel – Now, just yesterday, I got into a couple of news stories that, if you look at them in a certain way, could explain why women want nothing to do with dating men – because they could be hideous creeps (or worse), and you wouldn’t know until it’s way too late. Fair enough;Continue reading “Calling ‘Her’ Up – And Out”
Letting Go When It’s In My Grasp
Dearest Rachel – It’s a good thing that I don’t direct these letters at anyone but you, and it doesn’t matter to me as to how many others might be reading this over your shoulder. I don’t have any consistent message of uplift or progress that would appeal to a mass audience (or, on theContinue reading “Letting Go When It’s In My Grasp”
At Least Monday is Short
Dearest Rachel – The box with the camera and its accessories sits on a TV tray at the foot of the bed, like it has all weekend. The memory chip I ordered separately (remember when it was just that batteries weren’t included in a toy we would get for Daniel for Christmas or his birthday?)Continue reading “At Least Monday is Short”
Not Working for the Weekend
Dearest Rachel – According to the piped-in music I occasionally will notice while I’m at the gym, “everybody’s working for the weekend” except for me these days. Look, I get it; I remember the days when those two days away from the office – particularly the one in which I had no commitments but toContinue reading “Not Working for the Weekend”
Awaiting A Reply
Dearest Rachel – No, it’s not as if I’m expecting to hear back from you; I never have, even from the first, no matter how wonderful it would be if you could or would. This particular story, like so many since your departure, has less to do with you, and more with my dealings withContinue reading “Awaiting A Reply”
The Usual Wager
Dearest Rachel – I almost missed it yesterday evening, until Daniel pointed it out to me: a single balloon languishing in the rafters of the church when we arrived for Sparks last night. Of course, you might wonder how this sight would trigger a letter from me, and why I would use such a seeminglyContinue reading “The Usual Wager”
Like Nothing We’d Ever Done
Dearest Rachel – Believe it or not, I was half-expecting to spend all of yesterday cooped up at home. Think about that; I never spend any Sunday like this, and here I was, planning to stay home for the whole of Easter, of all Sundays? But with the plans for the family to get togetherContinue reading “Like Nothing We’d Ever Done”
I’ve No Right To Complain
Dearest Rachel – I’d say this is hardly a typical Easter weekend, but given that I’ve been out of the country twice in the last five years over Easter weekend, I’ve no right to complain about this one. But it still feels kind of strange, regardless. Among other things, I’m accustomed to working the boothContinue reading “I’ve No Right To Complain”
Not Quite Independent, But…
Dearest Rachel – Yesterday, as I was returning from the gym, I ran into Logan as he was taking his first break of his workday in order to slap together some breakfast – well, technically, he’d “slapped it together” on Sunday, along with similar pre-prepared meals for the entirety of his work week; all heContinue reading “Not Quite Independent, But…”
Finally Returning
Dearest Rachel – I suppose it was overly optimistic of me, but after fasting over the weekend (as I do when I’m working the booth – keeping busy keeps my mind off of food, although I generally allow myself a couple of coffees on Sunday, due to the early start of the day; and yes,Continue reading “Finally Returning”
Future Past
Dearest Rachel – I hadn’t expected to be cooking for my own birthday dinner; but then again, that’s not what yesterday evening was supposed to be, in any event. The idea actually stemmed from Erin wondering in our ongoing group chat whether the six of us could get together at her place for a change,Continue reading “Future Past”
Outlasting My Treadmill
Dearest Rachel – As has been the case for a while, I’m writing to you about yesterday’s events – or at least one event in particular. The trouble is, it’s sometimes hard to decide what to focus on as far as a specific topic goes; even on slow days, there are often multiple things goingContinue reading “Outlasting My Treadmill”
And This is Why We’d Rather Not Bother
Dearest Rachel – Since these letters usually go out in the morning, when all I’ve been able to take care of is my morning routine before heading out to the ‘office,’ I often make reference to things that I have coming up, and then put the brakes on going into detail about them, because I’dContinue reading “And This is Why We’d Rather Not Bother”
Glassing Over
Dearest Rachel – There are some moments in life which I can’t describe to you as they’re happening, just by dint of what they are. You’ll notice, for instance, that I describe many of my mornings to you – because that’s often when I have energy and inspiration, not to mention the desire to getContinue reading “Glassing Over”
Shrieking Into Traffic
Dearest Rachel – I can still remember your shriek from the night Aki-san was mortally wounded. I had come downstate to visit you while you were back home at your folks’ house over one break or another. The date escapes me at the moment, I confess; I want to say Christmas or late January, butContinue reading “Shrieking Into Traffic”
Nod Over… Celsius?
Dearest Rachel – There are certain mornings when I wake up with an idea to talk to you about, and all the time in the world to get it written down for you before I head out to the ‘office.’ Not often, but occasionally; most mornings, I have the time, but nothing in my headContinue reading “Nod Over… Celsius?”
Worrying Over Nothing
Dearest Rachel – Sixty-two months, it’s been; and yes, I still remember from time to time. A lot has changed since that day, which is part of the point of these missives, nowadays. For all that I wish I could talk more about our past, it’s the present that occupies my time (it is myContinue reading “Worrying Over Nothing”
Someone Else’s Comfort Food
Dearest Rachel – For all the Japanese (and other Asian) restaurants we have scattered throughout the local area within a fairly reasonable drive, most of them tend to be of what the natives themselves would consider to be restaurant food. This sounds like a tautology, I realize, but here’s the thing; what we can findContinue reading “Someone Else’s Comfort Food”
Back on the Treadmill
Dearest Rachel – The title of this letter was originally meant to only be taken literally, but after the morning I’ve had thus far (and seeing that it’s already after noon, that’s saying something), it might just be a metaphor for something a little larger than that. If I didn’t know better as to whatContinue reading “Back on the Treadmill”
What Might Otherwise Be Junk
Dearest Rachel – Well, I’ve gone and done it; we’ve gotten ourselves a new car. Only has some four thousand miles on it, bought straight from the dealership, for the first time in my life. I might even have to do this again relatively soon, albeit this time for Daniel’s sake; I’d rather he notContinue reading “What Might Otherwise Be Junk”
Once I Get This Taken Care Of…
Dearest Rachel – I’d say something to the effect that life is a series of plans that “gang aft agley,” as Robert Burns’ fieldmouse discovered, to its dismay, except that that’s not really quite accurate. Yes, we make plans, and yes, they will sometimes go awry (as Burns’ phrase translates to), but really, the ‘goingContinue reading “Once I Get This Taken Care Of…”
First World Trials
Our trial is… which car to buyTemptation is… that extra dessertIn the land of orange juiceYou’re better off with the right kind of shirt “It’s Sick,” Daniel Amos, Vox Humana (1983) Dearest Rachel – I think the point of this verse had to do with the fact that we fret over such insignificant things whenContinue reading “First World Trials”
Three Times Too Late
Dearest Rachel – I’ll be honest; upon returning home from our trip, I was starting to think I was going to be able to transition seamlessly from Japan time to Central time. While Daniel nodded off in his recliner next to your side of the bed, I was more hungry than sleepy; enough so asContinue reading “Three Times Too Late”
Falling Apart
I busted a mirror and got seven years’ bad luck, but my lawyer thinks he can get me five. Steven Wright Dearest Rachel – Barely a day or so back from being overseas, and only having driven the car once or twice since returning, and this has to happen… I have no idea what happenedContinue reading “Falling Apart”
Things to Get Used to Again
Dearest Rachel – Home again, and having to get used to Central Daylight Time (yes, the clocks changed over while we were out of the country, which only means we have to turn our own internal clocks back fourteen hours rather than fifteen, as far as we’re concerned). Someone told me the other day that,Continue reading “Things to Get Used to Again”
Time to Kill
Dearest Rachel – Tuesday, and we’re up once again well before the city is, at five a.m. That gives us seven or eight hours to kill before our bus – the bell clerk recommended that we take the 12:40 departure, as opposed to the 11:40, which would leave us just over two hours before ourContinue reading “Time to Kill”
Walking through Sunshine
Dearest Rachel – As I indicated in an earlier letter, now that the official part of our tour is over, we were going to take things at our own pace, and in our own directions. For all that Japan is so rich in history, we’ve decided not to bother dealing with that for now. IfContinue reading “Walking through Sunshine”
Not Something I’d Have Considered
Dearest Rachel – It’s funny; just as the official portion of our time on tour here draws to a close, the level of activity ramps up considerably. You’ve already gotten a couple of letters about Friday’s activities, but those only got you halfway through the day itself. It’s as if there was some final push,Continue reading “Not Something I’d Have Considered”
Sleeping in a Town That (Sort of) Encourages It
Dearest Rachel – I’ve talked before about how, from coast to coast, American cities pride themselves on never sleeping. It’s been celebrated in song from “New York, New York” to the San Francisco that was supposedly “built… on rock and roll.” Whether they actually stay awake, going full crank for 24/7/365 is a matter ofContinue reading “Sleeping in a Town That (Sort of) Encourages It”
More Than A Mood
Dearest Rachel – There were days, back when you were still here, when we would exert ourselves to the point of overdoing it, and you in particular would pay for it later on. Raking leaves comes to mind in particular, even at this opposite point on the calendar, in part because the front lawn hasContinue reading “More Than A Mood”
Preoccupation, Not Procrastination
Dearest Rachel – I’ve been busy every so often with tying up the odd loose end here and there – clearing my schedule and the like – in preparation for our flight to Tokyo at the end of the week. For all that I might wish that I could be perfectly nonchalant about such travels,Continue reading “Preoccupation, Not Procrastination”
Not So Much to Say as All That
Dearest Rachel – You would think that, given the unusual nature of yesterday’s events, I would have a lot to tell you about them. However, upon waking up this morning, I somehow found myself with a head full of cobwebs, and little else; so much so that, despite having retired to bed before ten o’clockContinue reading “Not So Much to Say as All That”
The Reins I Didn’t Ask For…
Dearest Rachel – It so happens that, this morning, the man who leads the Saturday morning study is going to be away this week. This is around his fifth anniversary – which is wild to realize; his wife barely met you, although she did apparently see you at one point when we had convened ourContinue reading “The Reins I Didn’t Ask For…”
Asking About Autos
Dearest Rachel – Compared to the last couple of days, there’s not a whole lot going on today. I mean, there’s enough to keep me occupied, even busy, for that matter, but nothing particularly out of the ordinary that would be worth telling you about, and which you couldn’t point out that I’d told youContinue reading “Asking About Autos”
Not So Attached as All That
Dearest Rachel – For some reason, your family had a habit of naming most of your vehicles. I don’t remember all the name, to be sure – Sweet Fawn comes to mind, as that was the one you and your mom were in a fiery wreck with when you were only two or three, butContinue reading “Not So Attached as All That”
After Dark, But By Choice
Dearest Rachel – At this point in the calendar, you’d think this would be less of an issue; we’re already much closer to the vernal equinox than the winter solstice. We’re not limited to a bare handful of (mostly cloudy) hours in any given day before night falls back again, and I find myself drivingContinue reading “After Dark, But By Choice”
Cooking, For Once
Dearest Rachel – It’s not like I haven’t done this before – even preparing this specific dish, for that matter – but of a Monday evening, Daniel and I rarely stay home and fix ourselves dinner. As a general rule, we head out a little after four, and hit some place up between home andContinue reading “Cooking, For Once”
Embarrassed by Mom
Dearest Rachel – We were boarding the shuttle to one of the remote parking areas around church yesterday afternoon (we’d decided to attend the last service, since it was the most sparsely attended; not that that’s saying much, as it was pretty crowded in there as well by the time the sermon started). The onlyContinue reading “Embarrassed by Mom”
On the Subject of Breadmaking
Dearest Rachel – For once when we met to go walking in the woods this week, Lars didn’t quiz me about any developments in my love life, like he usually does. To be sure, there really weren’t any to speak of – there never really are, these days – just an interesting moment tangentially relatedContinue reading “On the Subject of Breadmaking”
Chasing Numbers
Dearest Rachel – I’m telling you, honey, if it wasn’t for the fact that I’m a numbers person (like you were), I think I would have given up on this weight loss journey some time ago. Not only have things tapered off in terms of actual weight loss over the past year and a halfContinue reading “Chasing Numbers”
When the Stakes are Off the Table
Dearest Rachel – You know better than most that I’m not a particularly social creature, honey. There are times when I can fake it – and on an individual, one-on-one basis, it may not necessarily be fake at all – but for the most part, it’s very hard for me to interact with new people,Continue reading “When the Stakes are Off the Table”
No More Water Coolers
Dearest Rachel – You were – and you would acknowledge this, however abashedly (depending on the circumstance) – an avid consumer of, maybe not pop culture as such, but at least media in general. Be it one or another sci-fi or fantasy series, a daytime talk show, or various comedy anthologies that would air overContinue reading “No More Water Coolers”
Socks in Bed
Dearest Rachel – For all that our bedroom was an addition tacked on later (and cheaply, we both had to agree) to the building, and therefore not connected to the main house’s HVAC system, and therefore quite cold in the winter without the wall-mounted space heater running (which would occasionally cause the room to getContinue reading “Socks in Bed”
Not Meant For Us
Dearest Rachel – Back when I still had dreams of making a YouTube channel, and trying to settle on a topic, I considering discussing the Nacirema which, for all that I remember reading about them when I was much younger (although now I’m starting to think it was a bit of the Mandela effect), IContinue reading “Not Meant For Us”
A Cold Atop The Cold
Dearest Rachel – I had fully intended – and had even begun – a second letter to you for yesterday, regarding the fact that I wasn’t dealing with a case of the ‘Sunday Scaries’ that some of the others were anticipating upon their return from Honduras. I think you know what I’m talking about, evenContinue reading “A Cold Atop The Cold”
Nothing Left to Prove
Dearest Rachel – The soccer game that is apparently a highlight of some people’s visit this week was canceled due to the rain this week. Given that my left ankle and my right pinky toe both seem to be giving me trouble, I’m just as happy to not have to put myself through those pacesContinue reading “Nothing Left to Prove”
Chillier Than Expected
Dearest Rachel – When I gave my lesson to the students here the other day, one of the first things I asked them about was regarding large, long-term purchases that they would want to save up for. Most of them understood the gist of my question, and offered similar responses to those that an AmericanContinue reading “Chillier Than Expected”
What You Don’t Hear, You Don’t Miss
Dearest Rachel – There is a long-standing tradition among those that come down here to Just One that, after the evening debrief back at the hotel, a number of them would congregate outside of the auditorium in the back of the hotel campus (but not as far back as our rooms are, I should pointContinue reading “What You Don’t Hear, You Don’t Miss”
Serious Cash
Dearest Rachel – Douglas, the local head of operations here at Just One International, tells me that they have a saying here in Honduras (and bear in mind, I’m paraphrasing here) that “when you break a L500, the pieces scatter to the winds.” The gist of it is that, once you reduce the equivalent ofContinue reading “Serious Cash”
Ankle Deep in the Big Muddy
Dearest Rachel – I mentioned yesterday morning about how there was a threat of rain for the day that I would be on pila duty. The morning dawned grey and something beyond overcast, although as breakfast progressed, the sun slowly made its presence known, in defiance of the weather predictions. There was this brief thoughtContinue reading “Ankle Deep in the Big Muddy”
It’s Easier In Minecraft
Dearest Rachel – Yesterday was a day of trying to figure out what I’m supposed to be doing here. I’m scheduled to work on building pilas – those concrete water basins that hold something like a hundred gallons or so that Just One is trying to supply to as many homes in El Socorro asContinue reading “It’s Easier In Minecraft”
El Mismo, Pero No
Dearest Rachel – We’re basically settled in here now in Siguatepeque. It’s the same place that we’ve stayed at before (and I dare say that we always will; Just One seems to have some sort of relationship with the folks running this place. I want to say it’s a family-owned business, but I could beContinue reading “El Mismo, Pero No”
The Hardest Part is Getting There
Dearest Rachel – I think I’ve heard this phrase about travel but, apart from leisure trip, where once you arrive, it’s nothing but rest and relaxation, I’m not sure I agree. If nothing else, flights tend to be boring and nondescript; once they’re over and done with, they almost manage to escape memory instantly (forContinue reading “The Hardest Part is Getting There”
Leaving You Behind, Taking You With
Dearest Rachel – As we’re preparing to head out to the Just One headquarters in Honduras, we’ve been advised not to bring along anything that would announce that it (or we) are worth money. To be sure, there’s no preventing me from taking my computer; if nothing else, I need it to conduct my lessonContinue reading “Leaving You Behind, Taking You With”
Five Years On
Dearest Rachel – There’s a certain point at which it feels like commemorating the day of the year in which you suddenly had to go home is like picking at a longstanding, grievous wound. It’s not going to heal if I keep at it like this – although one would think that, if it’s onlyContinue reading “Five Years On”
The Last ‘Warm’ Day
Dearest Rachel – So, yesterday was the last ‘warm’ day before I leave town. From here on out, the highs – the highs, mind you – will be in the single digits Fahrenheit, if not at or below zero. I’ve heard talk about schools closing, despite the fact that it’s actually going to be tooContinue reading “The Last ‘Warm’ Day”
Trivial Pursuit
Dearest Rachel – I suppose I should have written you about this last Saturday, as opposed to waiting until now. Still, do I get partial credit for bringing it up at all, despite this being so late? It is significant, as it’s the first time all six of us had been able to get togetherContinue reading “Trivial Pursuit”
Where It’s Warm and Comfortable
Dearest Rachel – After having folded it up to allow Kris room to work in the bedroom when she came over to clean on Friday, I finally got around to reassembling the treadmill last night upon our return home from Sparks. I figured I would wake up early this morning, like I usually do, andContinue reading “Where It’s Warm and Comfortable”
The Shoe Finally Dropped
Dearest Rachel – There are days when I find myself wondering why I bother filling you in on the details of what’s going on here on the planet that you left behind. Whether it’s finances or the house or what could laughingly be referred to as my love life, what does any of it matterContinue reading “The Shoe Finally Dropped”
Uninstalling the Plan
Dearest Rachel – It was a week and a half ago when Lars and I wrapped up our usual walk through the woods with lunch at our favorite gyro place (they make their own in-house – and you can really tell the difference from one of those places that use the commercial providers like KronosContinue reading “Uninstalling the Plan”
Piled High
Dearest Rachel – It’s been so long, and I’ve had to do this for myself for these past five years, that I can’t remember what, if any, system you had regarding laundry. I know you separated colors from whites – every college-bound male is warned about mixing them and winding up with pink socks fromContinue reading “Piled High”
Topless in the Snow
Dearest Rachel – I’ve discovered something curious about the treadmill I’ve bought to use here at home on days when it’s too cold or I’m otherwise unmotivated to make my way to the gym in the morning: the thing is apparently an energy vampire. Over the course of the last week, I’ve blown a fuseContinue reading “Topless in the Snow”
Money-day Morning
Dearest Rachel – It’s Monday morning; the day and time that seems to bring dread to all. The restful period of the weekend is over, and we have to get back to school or work or whatever our weekly routine looks like, whether we’re ready for it or not. Despite having gone to bed beforeContinue reading “Money-day Morning”
AC-DC and the Beach Boys
Dearest Rachel – No, I didn’t wake up with either of these groups’ (and doesn’t the combination sound like an interesting band name in and of itself?) music in my head this morning, like a proper earworm. But I realized that I’d started off the day – ended last night, in fact – by givingContinue reading “AC-DC and the Beach Boys”
Confiding in Copilot
Dearest Rachel – After putting in ten miles plus of walking yesterday, between the treadmill at home and the walk in the woods with Lars, I probably should have just said goodnight to the boys and let myself drift off to sleep once I got home yesterday evening, so I could wake up first thingContinue reading “Confiding in Copilot”
Christmas Cake
Dearest Rachel – Over the weekend leading up to Christmas, I needed to go out to get various ingredients for the cooking assignments I’d taken upon myself for both the family party on the Sunday prior and Christmas brunch itself. As is my wont, I can never go through a grocery store and only getContinue reading “Christmas Cake”
So There’s This Girl…
Dearest Rachel – For a moment, I actually thought this could be a possibility, too. I mean, it made sense in the moment. So there’s this girl who was essentially working as a greeter at church this weekend. We’ve spoken before – in fact, she’s come up to me, rather than the other way aroundContinue reading “So There’s This Girl…”
Healthy at Home
Dearest Rachel – I think part of the problem with this past weekend was that, when I previously would attempt to fast for the entire length of a given Sunday, I would grab a reasonable lunch on Saturday before showing up at church for rehearsal. This time around, I basically had breakfast – a bowlContinue reading “Healthy at Home”
Letters to Rachel 