Author Archives: The Narrator

The Space Between Us

I don’t really like talking about politics. I have my own opinions, leaning off-center, but I won’t say which way, because it shouldn’t matter. What I care about more than declaring my political lean is holding space for honest conversation. … Continue reading

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There Be Dragons Here: The Secrets of the Deep

Among the many hats that I wear, one of my favorites is a caving helmet. For many years my wife and I have been members of the National Speleological Society, an organization dedicated to the study, exploration and conservation of … Continue reading

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The Neighborhood Menu: Tales from the Wetlands Edge

Content Warning: This post deals with the difficult topic of pets and wildlife and uses dark humor to discuss the food chain. It may not be suitable for all readers.   If you live on the edge of a wilderness … Continue reading

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Life on the Edge … of a Wetlands Reserve

When people talk about a quiet, peaceful neighborhood, they usually mean low traffic, polite neighbors and the gentle hum of suburban life. I have one of those, but with a twist. Living on the edge of a wetlands reserve sounds … Continue reading

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Ukraine’s Struggle for Independence: Why It Matters for the World’s Future

The full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia in 2022 was a shocking event that reverberated across the globe. For many, it seemed to come out of nowhere, an act of unprovoked aggression in the 21st century. But to understand the … Continue reading

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The County Fair: Where Fun Meets First Aid

Every summer the county fair rolls into town with its smell of funnel cakes, squeal of livestock and the whirl of carnival rides. And every summer my search and rescue team trades our wilderness gear for matching team t-shirts and … Continue reading

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When Humans Attack: A Cautionary Tale About Wildlife Encounters

A coworker of mine recently went to Yellowstone Bear World, a private animal reserve in West Yellowstone, Montana, to hold, pet and bottle feed bear cubs.  This seems wrong on so many levels.  We often see news stories about “adults”, … Continue reading

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Unpacking the Sweet Truth: Are Artificial Sweeteners Really Safe?

I wrote a couple of days ago about the hype of replacing high-fructose corn syrup with cane sugar and what it really means to our bodies.  A natural extension of that article is considering the use of artificial sweeteners.  The … Continue reading

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Sweet Deception? Unpacking Coca-Cola’s Switch from HFCS to Cane Sugar

There’s been a noticeable buzz in the media recently about Coca-Cola’s decision to sweeten some of its drinks with cane sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). For many health-conscious consumers, this move feels like a positive step, a return … Continue reading

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AAA and the Afterlife

I’ve been a loyal customer of AAA since dinosaurs roamed the Earth, or at least since I got my driver’s license, which some days feels like the same thing. Over the years, they’ve pulled me out of more jams than … Continue reading

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