I don't live a crazy life. I’m not attracted to danger and rarely do things most people would deem ill-advised (other than having the occasional second Armagnac). I don’t climb mountains or free dive, I’m perfectly comfortable at sea level.
Read MoreUnpacking after an overseas trip serves as an informal inventory of new acquisitions, smuggled cigars and wrinkled bad decisions. You nearly always realize you needed far, far less than you brought.
Read MoreI’ve been to Paris just about every year for the last three decades. That’s shocking to realize—one of these days I’ll stop being surprised by the math that comes with aging. Arriving here after two years away was more moving than I expected.
Read MoreWhen we moved a few weeks ago I realized this was the first time I’d arrived in a new apartment sans stereo. Then it occurred to me that I may never have a stereo again. This was a curious feeling.
Read MoreOn the last episode of Central Division, Michael took me to task for my ancient and beloved coffee maker. Apparently, coffee sitting in a glass pot upsets him. “You must like burnt coffee,” he said dismissively.
Read MoreWhen I started fishing I bought a pair of glasses at the Orvis store in Vermont. They had a 1970s aviator feeling and I loved them. Even though they were not fancy, or even particularly well-made, I was very devoted to these glasses.
Read MoreHey now! Very excited about this new project I worked on with my friends at Huckberry and Rancourt. It’s an elegant boat shoe with a little more support and it’s made in Maine, a pretty good equation.
Read MoreThere’s something to be said for clothes that align with a situation or a location. Looking at a sportcoat and thinking This really puts me in the mood for dinner in Florence, can be a great feeling.
Read MoreWell, opening time is getting closer: The Optimist comes out Tuesday.
Read MoreTo celebrate my first trip to the water this trout season, I bought a case of Miller Lite. It felt good to stride into the walk-in cooler at Peck’s Market in Livingston Manor, NY, and stride out with a box of 24 cans of the good stuff. Well maybe not the good stuff, but at least the acceptable stuff. Anyway, I was happy.
Read MoreMy friends at Scribner, who are publishing The Optimist, are doing a little giveaway for friends of The Contender.
Read MoreCracking into the L.L. Bean archive was an absolute delight.
Read MoreEvery year I wonder when to break out the white bucks the first time.
Read MoreI get asked a lot about writing. There’s the formal advice you get from Elements of Style and that’s certainly useful. As you move beyond that it’s also worth getting more thematic, so I thought I would start a little series.
Read MoreOn the latest episode of Central Division, Michael and I talk about what we’re into at the moment, like the New York Times Spelling Bee, a really good orange and smart dress socks.
Read MorePeople don’t care too much about your fishing trips. Your girlfriend might care, she wants you out of the apartment. Your fishing friends say they care, but are usually more interested in the aftermath of a disastrous trip, when they can enjoy the sordid details.
Read MoreNow that we’ve been ensconced (against our collective will) in our homes, we all have interior dressing strategies. I hope this strategy does not involve sweatpants or anything with an elastic waistband.
Read MoreI get asked a lot about how to start fly fishing. It’s a good question since it’s not that easy to do. Sometimes the high bar keeps some people from getting involved in a sport that they might really like. But the bar’s not as high as you might think.
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