The ride.

My earliest memories of discovering the world of books trace back to third grade and the school library at Northwest Elementary School in Dodge City, Kansas. Yes, that Dodge City, with Boot Hill and Miss Kitty and the enduring Wild West charm. If you ever find yourself wandering southwestern Kansas (unlikely, but hear me out), the town’s legendary spirit still lingers, a genuine slice of Americana worth a visit.   Even now, if I close my eyes, I see that little library, its s

When I was in my twenties, I stumbled upon an audio treasure trove: a collection of recordings featuring some of the most stirring and influential speeches delivered by twentieth-century leaders. I spent countless hours absorbing their words—Winston Churchill’s steely resolve, John F. Kennedy’s optimism, Dwight D. Eisenhower’s steady guidance, Harry Truman’s firm conviction, Neville Chamberlain’s caution, Amelia Earhart’s pioneering spirit, Lou Gehrig’s humility, Dr. Martin L

Growing up, I felt entirely at odds with Thanksgiving. Or maybe I felt that Thanksgiving was entirely at odds with its intended purpose. I’m not sure which. While adults took over the main spaces of the house on Thanksgiving, my siblings, cousins, and I were usually ushered off to the basement, the backyard, or anywhere that kept us out of the way of the adults. The dads and uncles would gather around the TV to watch unremarkable football games, while the moms and aunts spent