Author Archives: Thestrugglershandbook

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About Thestrugglershandbook

I'm a middle aged (if I live to be 100) guy, married, father of three, from Tucson, AZ. I'll write about almost anything. Though somewhat bent, what I write is always true(ish). It won't change your life, however. Unless that would preclude you from reading...

Cat’s in the Cradle

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Thestrugglershandbook

I don’t remember my father being around that much as I was growing up. I’m sure he was there from time to time, but I just don’t recall much in the way of interaction as a child. He was in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Family, Humor, Living, Parenting, Religion, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 280 Comments

Ten Things I Hate About You (and Your Driving)

Posted on January 20, 2012 by Thestrugglershandbook

I may complain, from time to time, about things that bother me (ask my family and they’ll tell you that “time to time” means dawn to bedtime). Today I want to talk about drivers in my hometown of Tucson. They suck, but in … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Automobiles, Cars, Family, Humor, Living, Music, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 52 Comments

They’re Everywhere!

Posted on January 15, 2012 by Thestrugglershandbook

I seem over the years to have developed a reputation for being something of a germophobe. This is a ridiculous notion; I am merely more aware than most of the existence of countless microscopic armies, unified in purpose and lying in wait to … Continue reading →

Posted in Bathrooms, Humor, Living, movies, Restrooms, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 26 Comments

That’s My Boy

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Thestrugglershandbook

My son came into this world fifteen months after the birth of our first child ( see Wedding Bells are Clanking). Unlike the first pregnancy, this time we knew the gender of our child; to say I was excited to … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Christianity, Family, Humor, Living, Marriage, Parenting, Religion, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Improving Home Improvement

Posted on January 4, 2012 by Thestrugglershandbook

As a specialty contractor (specializing in the design, installation and service of custom water features) in Tucson, Arizona, I find myself at one or both of the big box home improvement stores on an almost daily basis. Though I won’t identify them, … Continue reading →

Posted in Construction, Home Improvement, Humor, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Wedding Bells are Clanking

Posted on December 29, 2011 by Thestrugglershandbook

My eldest child, my twenty-three year old, beautiful, sweet daughter, just got engaged this past week. It had to happen eventually, but I’m still having trouble wrapping my mind around the thought of her getting married (too bad I can’t just sit on … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Christianity, Family, Humor, Marriage, Religion | Tagged , , , , , | 16 Comments

Dr. Josef Mengele, D.D.S. – Part II

Posted on December 26, 2011 by Thestrugglershandbook

My wife and I first began dating in July of 1983. Soon after, I met her parents for the first time. I think it was safe to say I made quite an impression on them: they told her afterwards they preferred she … Continue reading →

Posted in Accidents, Christianity, Dentistry, Family, Humor, Marriage, Religion, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Dr. Josef Mengele, D.D.S. – Part I

Posted on December 22, 2011 by Thestrugglershandbook

For most of my forty plus years in Tucson I went to the same dentist, along with the rest of my family. He was, until my mid thirties, the only dentist I had ever been to; I saw him faithfully twice  … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Dentistry, Family, Humor, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A Retraction (Of Sorts)

Posted on December 19, 2011 by Thestrugglershandbook

I will, on occasion, go back and read some of my posts (someone has to) from time to time. It’s weird, but my perspective can change within a matter of days; I will read something and think That was a weird … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Humor, Louisiana, Religion, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

God, Don’t Let Me Die in Louisiana – Part III

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Thestrugglershandbook

As I mentioned before (part I), whenever we visited my father’s family in Deridder, Louisiana, we stayed at my grandfather’s house. It was a small, white, two bedroom, wooden home located just outside of town. Papa was a simple man, with simple … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Christianity, Family, Humor, Louisiana, Religion, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments