Dear Family, If you would have asked me five years ago whether I planned to show up for Grace’s “clap-out” ceremony – that thing where underclassmen line the the halls and clap in recognition of the seniors as they parade around the school and out the front door on their last day of class —…
Ari’s EPISTOLARIUS — Apr 2023
Dear Family, Today, I learned what color a blue crab is. And no, I do not mean that I just discovered that there is a species of crustacean called the blue crab. I am a Marylander, born and raised, so I have been aware of the existence of these azure arthropods for longer than I…
On Crystal’s new job, Hannah’s old one, and further evidence that I may have been born in the wrong country (vol. xxvii, no. 4)
Dear Family, Before I get to the France trip, let’s get some church business out of the way. A month ago, right around the time I was posting the March letter, the bishopric in which I was a counselor was released. The new bishop happened to be the husband of the Relief Society president, and…
Ari’s EPISTOLARIUS – March 2023
Saturday, April 1, 2023 [Post-editorial note: Well, this is embarrassingly late.] Dear Family, April Fools! This letter is coming out late. Betcha thought I was going to write this earlier, didn’t you? So did I. So I guess the real April Fool is me. I don’t know exactly when this will actually be posted, since…
On my youngest daughter turning 18, my youngest brother turning 40, and why counting on sacrament meeting to end on time is a losing strategy (vol. xxvii, no. 3)
Dear Family, The weekend of March 11th/12th was stressful for me, as it was for countless others, perhaps including you. As some of you know (and most of you don’t) I work for a smallish financial technology company. Like a lot of firms fitting that description, my employer had significant monies on deposit at Silicon…
Ari’s EPISTOLARIUS — Feb 2023
Here’s a little peek behind the curtain: I’m actually writing this part after almost everything else. This month has been eventful, and it was easy to write about the adventures (and misadventures) that have transpired. So now it’s time for the hard part: an introduction. … Actually, you know what? Screw it. This letter is…
On surviving the Krispy Kreme Challenge, Grace’s university selection, and the never-ending saga of our new oven (vol. xxvii, no. 2)
Dear Family, Let’s get the important news out of the way first. Saturday, February 4th was the 19th annual “Krispy Kreme Challenge,” a five-mile footrace that begins and ends at the North Carolina State University bell tower. It’s a fairly straightforward and not especially memorable out-and-back course – a few noticeable hills but nothing too…
On scenic bluffs, appliance nightmares, and where Grace might very well possibly go to college (vol. xxvii, no. 1)
Dear Family, I am starting to write this letter at 10:22 p.m. on Friday, January 27th, inside my tent at the Marsden Tract Campground perched atop a bluff overlooking the Potomac River a little less than 3 miles south of Great Falls. It’s 30 degrees Fahrenheit, and I suppose I’ll continue typing until my hands…
On timely Christmas gifts, silly Christmas traditions, music in abundance, and “a railroad line on the road to Hell” (vol. xxvi, no. 12)
Dear Family, Let us begin by tying off two loose ends from last month’s letter so people will stop pestering me about them. First, regarding the demise of our 29-year-old bread machine last month, Grandma (Christine) and Grandpa gave us a new one for Christmas. Crystal put it to work that very day to make…
On the agony of more trips to the orthopedist, the ecstasy of airport reunions, and the singular joy of helping introduce refugees to Thanksgiving (vol. xxvi, no. 11)
Dear Family, As the holiday season gets underway, we note with sadness the passing of our beloved bread machine, which stopped working on Thanksgiving while Crystal was making rolls. A bridal shower gift to Crystal from Rod and Karel nearly 29 years ago, the appliance was an important source of sustenance to us during our…