French philosopher Rene Descartes famously wrote: ‘I think, therefore I am’. I accept that premise – it always seemed to make fundamental sense to me. But what follows from the fact that I write? I write, therefore…I’m a writer? I don’t see myself as a writer. Writers study writing, they develop a method and hone [...]

Ella painted this self-portrait yesterday. I praised her for its beauty and simplicity. It just struck me as bearing a significant likeness to her. Brown hair, round pink face, blue eyes, pretty mouth. Just sweet – like her. Every day, this kind of art flows out of them. At school they cut, paint and craft. [...]

Leigh-Anne is being polite in her Facebook description of the recent family trip to Banff. While it was far from the worst trip ever, it occurred to me to ask myself that question a few times. First of all, let me offer one piece of advice: it is generally not wise to take a family [...]

So writes Michael Chabon at the very beginning of his book Manhood for Amateurs. A bit harsh, you might say, but is it untrue? For me, this statement is almost liberating. As a human being who is also a man, I am prone to all sorts of failures, shortcomings, and ignorance of the facts on [...]

Michael Chabon has written my book. With every page I turn, there I am reading my own words. How did he get so far into my head – and my heart? In Manhood for Amateurs, Chabon offers his take on life as a husband, father and son. As I read it, I feel a bit [...]