This collection of images from a May 2025 trip to Sicily and Sardinia is not your typical vacation slide show. To maximize your engagement, follow the instructions on the second slide which asks viewers to discern how each image is related to the next.
Suggestion: Use the F11 key on your PC to reduce visual clutter on your viewing screen. Hit ESC or F11 to restore the tool bar.

Sicily and Sardinia as a Powerpoint or PDF

For details on subject matter and location for each of the Sicily and Sardinia images,
consult this Powerpoint or PDF

The Cavalcata Sarda is an annual cultural festival and parade in Sassari.
Sardinians from all regions of the island showcase their traditional costumes and horsemanship.

Cavalcata Sarda 2025 as a Powerpoint or PDF

Essays and Stories

These stories and any many others that are pertinent only to my family are collected into something we call Tia's Cookbook which was my Christmas gift to each of my three adult children in 2015. Tia's Cookbook has some of our favorite recipes from Tia's kitchen and nearly everything I've written since Tia and I corresponded the summer we started dating back in 1980. Tia's Cookbook gets updated anytime I write something new. Some of those compositions are posted here.

The Most Recent Additions:

The Greeter-Seater and the Pea Packer Reflecting on encounters at Ray's Millpond after the passing of my father-in-law

Heroic or Harmful Vastly different perspectives as revealed by a huge spider

I'm Black. Is that a problem? A troubling true story about Valerie, her son, and Amazing Grace

Former Student Freezes Professor's Heart An account of cryoablation to treat atrial fibrillation

Waving to the Ceiling What might it mean when my elderly father-in-law does this from his bed in a Memory Care Unit
Waiting for Gracie Facing a mild dilemma over a haircut
A Fall Chicken Takes a Hike: How my wilderness backpacking trips have changed as infirmities accumulate with age.

Travel and Adventure

Playing with Peter My first hike with the man who became my favorite traveling companion
Nolan Takes Me Hunting A first-time hunters thoughts, concerns, insights, and confessions
Dad's Perspective on a Daughter's Trip to Peru Worries and wishes of a parent prior to departure
Harley on the Bucket List GR's history with motorcycles and a father-son ride on twisty roads in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Nov 2023
True Tales of Adventure in Peru A Father-Son Expedition involving a motorcycle mishap in July 2024
Squirrel on the Crescent An enlightening conversation with a stranger in the dining car on a northbound train from New Orleans

Humorous Stories

Will She Let the Cow Head Stay? Yard sales and family harmony
Wisdom Hairs A very personal perspective on the role of hair in masculinity
Prostatectomy Perils A account of my experience with prostate cancer

Tributes to People Dear to Me

The Scoop on Tissie On the passing of my favorite aunt
Pigs Feet and Wings A graveside reflection on the life of Margaret Morrison
A Tribute to Joseph Palmisano A humor-laden graveside eulogy I read for my father-in-law
A Lesson from Aunt Esther, God Rest Her Pondering the positive attributes of woman who lived well
Memories of Miss Rita The beloved barrista of Wofford College
Becoming a Biology Teacher A tribute to two of my most influential teachers
Soaring Spirit A lesson on loss and gratitude

Shorter Reflections

The Fairest Wheel Daddy's metaphor for life and the need to trust the Operator
Regret is a powerful motivator Prompted by an unanswered phone call
A Lesson on Imperfection Prompted by a mishap involving a candleholder
Mamma's Little Green Pot Fond memories triggered by a battered saucepan
Membership Drive The need to belong creates puzzling behaviors
Uncharted Journey A letter to my wife at a time when the future was unclear

Succumbing to Slumber Falling asleep during important events

Family Stories

Names and Nicknames A letter to my grandson near the time of his birth (September 2024)
Davis Family Sayings On the origins of our quirky words and phrases and the situations in which they are used
Pearls for Christmas The story behind gifts for my daughters on our first Christmas after Tia died
Flowers for Tia A thank-you note essay for those who sent flowers on Tia's passing

Poems

My Will Be Done A prayer with some final requests
Getting Late About the difficulties at the end of life

Coming soon:

Last Letter to Aunt Esther: Precious memories of visits with my aunt during childhood
Ways of Waiting: Changes in how we wait for news of dear ones undergoing surgery
Drowning in Walden's Pond: A confession about a college assignment and an attempt to make it right decades later
Thief of Joy: An insight prompted by a session with an advisee
Parting Sentiment: My send-off message to my students on the last day of class
Interpreting Grades and Transcripts: What these can and cannot tell you about a person
One Need Not Be: A senior citizen admits that expertise and proficiency are not essential
Sailing on the Bucket List: My boating experiences culminate with a 16 day adventure on a sailboat
Seeing Tia in a Tree: A metaphor encountered during a day and night alone on a wilderness backpacking trip