The Subtle Differences Between This and That.

I've escaped accidents that could have killed me by just a split second. There's a great chance that's been your experience too. When each subtlety of life rules the day - or your life, for that matter - it's really quite amazing that we/I/you don't pay more attention to the little things that can either kill us or keep us on the right track.

In many cases, the death I'm speaking about isn't what you'd call instantaneous. It's more like the eat-a-little-high-cholesterol-food-every-day kind of death. The single donut really doesn't hurt you that much, but it's cumulative effect pumps the plaque in your arteries. As a donut eater, it's not that I don't know this - I do - it's just that I don't pay enough attention to the effects.

This evening, we spoke to our kids about the accumulative effect of making wrong decisions. Believe me, it's an interesting conversation. Often times, the difference between two decisions isn't marked by success or tragedy. In fact, there are many decisions that seem down-right comparable - not good or bad, just equal. But make a few wrong turns and you're headed somewhere you don't want to be.

And here's the tricky part - most of the time, you don't even realize how far you've traveled in the wrong direction. You don't really feel different than when you made the first wrong decision.

Here's to hoping I start making better decisions along with everyone else.

The troubles with Missing the Beach.

Editor's note: I think it's time that all the brothers jump in a car and head south. The only stops along the way will be potty breaks and hamburger fill ups. Maybe we won't even make potty breaks. Come on wives - what do you think? Will you let go for a few days? We'll be better dads when we get home.

I just opened the door to let the dog out and a blast of cold, cold air reminded me that winter isn't just here, but it's settling in for a long time. Please don't accuse me of not loving a good snowstorm or a Christmas season filled with white - it's just that I love the sound of waves lapping up on the shore a little bit better.

Maybe I'm getting old or maybe it just that the dead of winter - which we are nowhere near yet - just isn't that enticing anymore.

It's all kind of a relative thing, however. In California, not a lot of people go to the beach in the winter months because to them, it's winter. I'm not so sure that your blood actually gets thinner in that climate - the excuse most often used for being cold when it's actually slightly warm - but it's an interesting site to see a local bundled up in a great big coat while you and your kids are roaming the beach in shorts and a hoody feeling like you've just been liberated from an icebox.

But even still, as the snow begins to fly, I still long for the sand and the surf.