Our travels back to Montanare, Italy - sitting for an Italian feast with our long time friends, Larry J Snyder.

Ready, Set, Wait…Five Years!

Without the benefit of revisiting social media posts or digital memory cards, it’s difficult to remember what specifically made our 2019 trip to the old country extra memorable. We had no idea when we pulled away from Ca D Maestro with a dozen chosen family members screaming ciao, ciao, ciao! that it would be our Read more about Ready, Set, Wait…Five Years![…]

Taylor, our sweet family dog, Larry J Snyder

Tribute to Taylor

The little four legger who stole our hearts. It really makes no sense that a 10-pound, furry white lap dog could capture a large part of so many hearts, including mine. But that’s what happened. After nearly a dozen joy-filled years, little Taylor Dog has found her path to the canine afterlife and we are………..super Read more about Tribute to Taylor[…]

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The Give and Take in Pastores, Guatemala

One of the final lengthy conversations I had with #MyAwesomeDad… was about the day he and #MyMom finally moved into the house I grew up in. It was the first of 16 new houses occupied on South 234th Place in Des Moines. I was just six months old, and with two older sisters, our current Read more about The Give and Take in Pastores, Guatemala[…]

Socks Don’t Have to Match

In our laundry room downstairs, a discarded teak book shelf holds my causal threads. Of the four shelves, I’d say the top one gets the most action. I’m a regular on E-Bay seeking size 38 Ex-Officio tan shorts. Yes, those same style I’ve been sporting in for a dozen years. “Quality never goes out of Read more about Socks Don’t Have to Match[…]

Starbucks - Larry J Snyder

Who Needs a Hug?

I read a text message from Zoe, my Starbucks manager. “I need to talk to you today Larry?” In nearly sixteen years of my part time coffee gig, I’d never received this kind of urgent digital communication. Even as an optimist, this went to the bottom of my stomach. I replied about a scheduled professional Read more about Who Needs a Hug?[…]

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West African-West American Brothers

Although the distance between us Wednesday night was only the length of a dining room table, I’ve learned the gap between the way we think is even closer. The Honorable Joseph W Lamin MP and I had more 1:1 time in my country during our two brief days together than during my two recent trips Read more about West African-West American Brothers[…]

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My Mom-Dividere Sempre-Always be sharing

Neighbor Francesca arrived at the ivy covered iron fence this morning around 8AM. I was sitting in my familiar morning spot taking in my second mini cup of very strong coffee. I took note she was trying to pass a blue plastic colander full of green beans picked 20 minutes before. Luisa grabbed the bottom Read more about My Mom-Dividere Sempre-Always be sharing[…]