The holiday weekend gave Kerri and I a number of opportunities to play games with neighbors, and this question stems directly from a “disagreement” we had with another couple this weekend. Simply put: How do you sort playing cards? Assuming you order them, there are two likely possibilities. Looking at your hand and reading from left to right you either see: A – K – Q – J – 10 – 9 or you see: 9 – 10 – J – Q – K – A Vote below or in the sidebar. Be warned: there is a correct answer, one which Kerri and I agree on though we have promised not to reveal it until the poll is closed as a favor to our misguided friends. {democracy:11} [Read more]

Time to wrap up the June poll, and Kerri and I are both pleased to see the results. {democracy:10} It looks like we are taking to heart the admonition that communication is the foundation of a good relationship. I wholeheartedly agree with that sentiment. Kerri and I go through ebbs and flows in the quantity of our communication, and it never takes long for us to feel the change. We can both sense the gap forming between us, even if it’s just a little one. It’s been said that quantity time is a prerequisite for quality time. Thanks for voting, and be sure to participate in this month’s poll. The formal announcement will be up tomorrow, but you can get a preview in the sidebar now. [Read more]

It’s the day after round here, so I thought I’d see what our fellow Lifestyle Channel denizen’s were up to for the holiday weekend. As a brief aside, it interesting just how US-centric things are: Many in the channel aren’t stateside – heck, b5media itself is Canadian! – but the US Independence Day holiday is well known and noted. Gayla remembers family gatherings down in the hollers of Kentucky. Kerri and I both spent significant portions of our youth too far from the extended family to gather very often, something we’d love to do differently with our own kids. Holiday’s are meant to be shared with family and friends. Marye shares some Independence Day menus from days past. Some holiday staples... [Read more]

Kerri and I are fans of This American Life. This past spring they rebroadcast an episode that has become a favorite of mine, “What I Learned from Television.” I remember hearing it the first time around, and I has delighted to have another listen. This episode was compiled from a live tour the show did back in 2007. One of the best parts is the live music run between stories. The band that played is Mates of State, a married couple. Check ‘em out. Their live cover of “California,” the O.C. theme, is beautiful. I couldn’t find a good recording of it, but you can hear it on the podcast of This American Life. Meanwhile, here’s another good version. [Read more]

One of the inevitable consequences about being married for any length of time, is that you have more and more collective memories, and things from the present are increasingly likely to bring up that shared past. There are some draw backs to this – I have ready stock of jokes and quotes that Kerri, like it or not, knows she will hear for the rest of her life – but overall I think it’s a good thing. A very good thing. One of our fundamental needs as people is to be known for who we really are. Whether we are good, bad, or most likely some combination of the two, we desperately long to be “naked” in the eyes of another. We want to stand before someone, say, “This is the real me,” and have them reply,... [Read more]