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Nature vs. Nintendo, Treehouses, and a New Project
I’m a firm believer in outdoor time over screen time. I think many of our kids today suffer from NDD – Nature Deficit Disorder (a term coined by author Richard Louv). Those who know me well also know that I’m an avid environmentalist — and that I fully embrace the Reduce, Reuse and Recycle principle.…
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Fanfare for an uncommon man
The night my Pop died, I knew it would be his last. I’d been working late, writing something for a client, when it suddenly hit me. I clocked out and started writing his eulogy instead. For the next several hours I wrote, revised, and rewrote, then went to bed, exhausted. I woke at 4:50 a.m.…
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On life, presence, the speed of childhood and the perils of rushing
Last night I had some rare one-on-one time with my oldest, who will be 9 in what seems like a heartbeat. As I tucked him in, he asked me to sing him a song – something he hasn’t asked for in a while. I was feeling frustrated, tired, irritable, and just wanted him to go…
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Reflections on an interview with Maynard Ferguson
I was digging through my “archives” when I stumbled on this college newspaper story I wrote on jazz great Maynard Ferguson.
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Music for Earth Day
A little Earth Day history, and some music to play while you celebrate science and nature.
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A few words about snowflakes
I was walking out of a restaurant recently when I overheard one of those “Make America Great Again” hat-wearing clods complaining loudly. He was ranting and raving about “liberal snowflakes” who “love gender-neutral bathrooms” and don’t realize that terrorists are, right this very minute, hiding in the midst of every group of ragtag refugees that’s…
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In a vinyl frame of mind
On turntables, music and the hi-fi life Last year I wrote a really fun column (Can Vinyl Get My Groove Back?) about a void in my life: the absence of a turntable. Last night I finally took the plunge and bought one. I didn’t opt for any of the hyper-expensive options I researched in my…
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Wag more, bark less …
I enjoyed writing this piece for Inspire Health about Canine Companions for Independence. If you or anyone you know is interested in becoming a volunteer puppy raiser, please get in touch with them. Keep in mind that you need enough time time to dedicate to a fairly rigorous training schedule – but you’ll be changing…
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Full speed ahead!
A while back, I posted that I’d finished the first draft of a children’s book. Well, exciting news: Today I got the first sample image from the amazing illustrator I’m working with and it’s, well, amazing! A big thanks to artist extraordinaire Erik Mehlen — I can’t tell you how excited I am to be…
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An entitled piece on titles
I have a confession to make: NPR is driving me crazy. Now, if you know me, that’s going to come as a surprise, because you probably also know I love NPR. Yes, I’m that guy: the one who listens to Steve Inskeep, Rachel Martin and David Greene in the mornings on the way to work. I listen…
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Patrick F. O'Donnell 