Decluttering for the Upgrade When my phone nudges me with a “Software Update Available,” I swipe it away without much thought. Those alerts feel more like a pesky sales pitch than a necessity. Honestly, I don’t want to deal with the interruption—or risk a glitch—by starting an update. But eventually, those persistent notifications, dressed in their clever little red badges, wear me down. I start poking around, checking reviews to see if the upgrade is…
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A Family Connection The world is reflecting on the extraordinary life of President Jimmy Carter as tributes pour in. Among the many chapters of his remarkable journey, one small but meaningful connection ties our family story to his legacy: the SSK-1, a small experimental submarine. President Carter served as the engineering officer on this vessel, while my father, Frank Andrews, served as the commanding officer. In a photograph from that time, you can see:Front Row,…
5 CommentsThis is not the Appalachian folktale. This is my tale about three trees. In the early 1980s, I lived in the Philippines, where I learned how Christmas trees were shipped to the Pacific for U.S. military members stationed overseas. These trees, cut months earlier and transported thousands of miles, were both expensive and often lackluster. Before transferring from Virginia to Hawaii, I decided to avoid the hassle and expense by purchasing a fake tree from…
2 CommentsIt must have been during my first year at the Naval Academy. I don’t recall my specific offenses—perhaps I had failed to carry my weight, or maybe I’d dared to speak out. What I do remember was bemoaning the rough treatment of women, especially as it concerned me, to my father. He listened, of course. My father, a proud graduate of the Naval Academy Class of ’42, had been forged in a very different fire.…
1 CommentReflecting on the days following Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday, I feel a bit drained. It was a wonderful time—we had nearly everyone together for Thanksgiving dinner, and the next day, we set up the tree and all its trimmings. As fulfilling as it all was, it also took a lot out of me. On this second day of December, I’m reminded to pause and ask: What do I truly want from this season?…
Leave a CommentGrowing up, Thanksgiving was a big event in our home—often bringing together 30 or more people. We’d always pull in an extra table to fit everyone. I can still picture my mom in the kitchen, managing the chaos, while I mostly stayed out of her way. Those days, with my parents at the center, are long past. Now, as my parents are gone and my siblings have their own families and traditions, the shape of…
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