Recent Columns

So it’s 1:30 in the morning and I’m outside in my underwear up on the roof of the garage, then up on the hill by our outdoor watertank, flashlight in hand, looking for something, for I’m not sure what. I’ve heard something, some kind of animals yelping helplessly out here somewhere. Thought some animal was […]

It’s after the ceremony today and the bride and groom are at my place because they like what we’ve done with the stonework and flowers and all. They’re having photos taken when the groom, a long-time Ugandan journalist friend, asks if I’ll give a speech at the reception. It’s in two hours. When the moment […]

So my wandering cat is back, and while I’m relieved, there’s little doubt at this point that he’s playing with me, toying with the situation, making me go more crazy while I lay in my bed alone all these nights and wonder if I will somehow lose the children before morning. But I am not […]

Thinking of Hannah, our six-year-old. Like many Ugandans, this girl is built solid. She could probably kick both Liz and Jon’s butt at once if ever really put to the test. I foresee Olympic medals around her neck one day, which isn’t a bad retirement plan for mom and dad. Some of you know that […]

Take a minute, here, friends. Day 6 of Single Daddin’ It is for a new single dad whose wife died Monday, along with her unborn child who wouldn’t come out. Yeah, you read that right — wouldn’t come out. He’s now a single dad of three kids — 5, 3 and 2, and no doubt […]

Day 5 of Single Daddin’ It did not start well. I am so mad. I have a meeting at the university, so the kids got a ride to school. Was set up ages ago. I sent two friends with them. Plus the driver. Three adults for three kids for a 45 minute drive in a […]

It’s Day 4 of Single Daddin’ It and we’re at the dinner table. Jon shows up with dirty hands. He was working in the garden, he tells me. His garden is not tiny. It has cucumbers and onions and cabbage and beans and more. You should see the tomatoes, he tells me. Jon, in fact, […]

So, before tonight’s bedroom reading was finished, the kids asked me a pretty easy one, you know that question about the end of the world and when is it coming and will we (they) be around to see all the fireworks. Jon said he wanted to see Jesus come back in all his flaming glory, […]

Today’s question in my Diary of Single Daddin’ It relates to the cat. He’s Candy. He recently disappeared for six days. Went to his girlfriend’s or whatever. I thought of yet another cat funeral. We’ve had such in the past, with music and eulogies and real tears and all. On Day 2 of Single Daddin’ […]

The rabbits are the excitement of Day 3 of Single Daddin’ It. Got them yesterday. I am now the unofficial Best Dad Goin’. The rabbits (bunnies as the kids call them) are Sam and Pretty. Their cage is outside, between the kids’ two forts. Is this like, buying off my kids’ affection in my wife’s […]

So, this past week, we went to Jinja. Jean and myself and Hannah. We’ve fostered her for over three years and, with court approval, will now adopt. Had a 2:30 pm app’t at court. So we put Hannah’s best dress on her. I even wore a tie. We drove over an hour. Had a pizzeria […]

BTW, it’s Day 2 of 14 of Single Daddin’ It while Jean is Canada for the annual STM auction. Tonight it was Ice Age 4 and potato chips with the kids. Don’t want to know what this will all descend to by the end of my allotted time. Advice anyone?

The official charge is ignoring orders of a public official. But the real problem is words. Just words. You know, words can be enough. Too much, even, when they say this and that; when they’re relevant and lacerating; when they’re passed to others and speak more than anyone even realizes; when they speak truth that isn’t just truth to be understood, but that deeper truth that causes a lump in your throat because you know someone has experienced it with some amount of pain.

There’s the guilt and fear. There’s the drama and emotion. There’s the conformity and the teaching of “Us versus Them.” Of course, there is also that feeling that you’re not good enough, that you have to somehow work your way into God’s love. These are hallmarks of cults, dangerous but strangely appealing religious groups like […]

A fresher unwittingly gives her laptop to someone posing to be from UCU’s IT department. The computer is never returned. An Honours College resident has her laptop and i-Pad stolen through a broken window. A couple of nights later, a camera and money are lifted from the same residence. A pair of laptops are taken […]