Do It Right: Be Wary of the 'Uff Da' There's an old adage (a dadage?) men-in-the-know subscribe to: It is what it is. To that I'd add: especially when it tells you what it is. To which I'd also add: when all of that fails, listen to your wife. Because nearly always, she knows what it... Continue Reading →
Making the World Safe for My Father's Chili On this post-Thanksgiving, football-rich weekend, let's throw back to a column I wrote in 2008 to capture one of my family's culinary obsessions: Cincinnati-style chili spaghetti. Be sure to read to the end for the recipe. This article originally appeared in the Youngstown Vindicator on Feb. 27, 2008: I... Continue Reading →
Back to the Future: Thanksgiving Slideshow Some of the power inherent in family traditions is their timeless pull -- no matter how many years have passed, you feel like you could dust off the old recipe and serve it up that day to acclaim and applause, or creak open an old family album and step... Continue Reading →
A Very Foutz Thanksgiving, 1949 As a writer, what turns me on about genealogy is the stories you uncover. And it's a bonus that the characters starring in them are bound to you by blood. The intimacy of it -- their history is yours, too -- is what tantalizes. Not necessarily the dates and thrice-so-and-so-twice-removed... Continue Reading →
Two Treks Around Hong Kong - Dad About Town If I have any plan or approach to discovering a new place, it is this: open the door, move left foot forward, follow with right foot moving forward, repeat. Repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat. During my first time properly away from home, in Pittsburgh for college,... Continue Reading →
Do It Right: Hotel Room Essentials "Bed, sweet bed." I've been known to utter this appreciation for my absolute favorite place in the house on any ordinary Saturday, or stressful Wednesday night. But I am particularly prone to repetitive hosannas upon returning from my frequent business trips. Nothing beams forth the comforting waves of home... Continue Reading →
Taking on Tai Yuen (Toy) Street - Dadding with Distinction I'm a toys guy. Now, before that's taken the wrong way, let me explain what I mean. Growing up, toys were the vehicle to endless worlds of creative expression. Down in our always chaotic basement playroom, or across the carpeted expanses of our bedrooms, my... Continue Reading →
Dadtritus: On the Road and On My Wrist This blog has been on a bit of hiatus as work and family and, well, just life has conspired against my healthy outlet, ruminating on the perfectly grilled meal, ridding myself -- virtually -- of a stack or two of dadtritus, poking fun at myself for the... Continue Reading →
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