Chris Rodell's Blog, page 32
July 24, 2018
And Latrobe's best hugger is? Notes from my hug-filled week
(544 words)
That so many women are popping up out of nowhere to give me long soulful hugs makes me glad I last week didn’t reveal I have leprosy.
If I’ve learned anything from the past week since I declared I have Parkinson’s Disease it’s that it feels good to tell people you’re not well. They tell you they’re going to pray for you, offer rides and household assistance and just hug the
That so many women are popping up out of nowhere to give me long soulful hugs makes me glad I last week didn’t reveal I have leprosy.
If I’ve learned anything from the past week since I declared I have Parkinson’s Disease it’s that it feels good to tell people you’re not well. They tell you they’re going to pray for you, offer rides and household assistance and just hug the
July 17, 2018
So, okay, I have Parkinson's
(1,524 words)
How many of you, my friends, are confused by that headline confession? Parkinson’s? Parkinson’s what? Parkinson’s galoshes? Parkinson’s kite? Parkinson’s fruit salad?
No. I have Parkinson’s Disease. So do more than 1 million men mostly and women in America. The average age onset is 60.
I am 55.
I first began noticing the unsettling symptoms in October 2015 when the
How many of you, my friends, are confused by that headline confession? Parkinson’s? Parkinson’s what? Parkinson’s galoshes? Parkinson’s kite? Parkinson’s fruit salad?
No. I have Parkinson’s Disease. So do more than 1 million men mostly and women in America. The average age onset is 60.
I am 55.
I first began noticing the unsettling symptoms in October 2015 when the
May 15, 2018
Today is book's official release! Seeking Amazon reviews
(664 words)
I guess the most surprising — and touching — review came from a friend who I consider one of the good guys. He’s polite, thoughtful and eager to help the needy. If he saw an old widow’s cat stuck high up in a tree, he’d commence to climbing.
He said my book made him want to be a better person.
Isn’t that beautiful?
It was not my intention, but I can certainly
I guess the most surprising — and touching — review came from a friend who I consider one of the good guys. He’s polite, thoughtful and eager to help the needy. If he saw an old widow’s cat stuck high up in a tree, he’d commence to climbing.
He said my book made him want to be a better person.
Isn’t that beautiful?
It was not my intention, but I can certainly
May 11, 2018
Praise, fame, TINARA award going to my head
(806 words)
The praise, the gushy radio interviews, the 5-star reviews, all the friendly strangers eager to hand me money for signed copies — it’s all going straight to my head.
And I’m not even getting into me being the recipient of the prestigious TINARA award.
Yet.
It’s been a heady month. I for the first time in my life know what it feels like to be a celebrity. People who
The praise, the gushy radio interviews, the 5-star reviews, all the friendly strangers eager to hand me money for signed copies — it’s all going straight to my head.
And I’m not even getting into me being the recipient of the prestigious TINARA award.
Yet.
It’s been a heady month. I for the first time in my life know what it feels like to be a celebrity. People who
May 2, 2018
Oakmont Library tonight! My book signings from cerebral to sudsy ...
It was in 2008 when I was interviewing Arnold Palmer coincidentally the day before I was to play Oakmont Country Club, regarded by experts as one of the toughest golf courses on the planet.
I told Palmer I’d be playing there and asked if he had any suggestions for how I could get a good score the next day.
“If you’re really concerned about getting a good score,” he said, “I suggest
I told Palmer I’d be playing there and asked if he had any suggestions for how I could get a good score the next day.
“If you’re really concerned about getting a good score,” he said, “I suggest
April 30, 2018
My new Arnold Palmer book is dedicated to ... Michael Patrick Shiels
(789 words)
I’ve in the past dedicated books of various character to my wife, my brother, my daughters, Mom, and most recently to my favorite bartender.
So I’ve bestowed this singular honor on people I love, people who support me and on some guy whom I rely upon for daily inebriation.
Michael Patrick Shiels, to whom I dedicate my new Arnold Palmer book, is none of those. In fact,
I’ve in the past dedicated books of various character to my wife, my brother, my daughters, Mom, and most recently to my favorite bartender.
So I’ve bestowed this singular honor on people I love, people who support me and on some guy whom I rely upon for daily inebriation.
Michael Patrick Shiels, to whom I dedicate my new Arnold Palmer book, is none of those. In fact,
April 6, 2018
1st 50 Palmer books here (and gone). Who got 'em?
(857 words)
I showed up Monday on Doc Giffin’s front porch with one of the worst gifts a thoughtless man could deliver.
For my friend Doc, I had a book he’d already read.
Despite the faux pas, I knew it would be okay, so my feelings were the exact opposite of how I felt in December when I’d given him a rough draft of “Arnold Palmer: Homespun Stories of The King” (pre-order here).
I showed up Monday on Doc Giffin’s front porch with one of the worst gifts a thoughtless man could deliver.
For my friend Doc, I had a book he’d already read.
Despite the faux pas, I knew it would be okay, so my feelings were the exact opposite of how I felt in December when I’d given him a rough draft of “Arnold Palmer: Homespun Stories of The King” (pre-order here).
March 30, 2018
March Tweets of the Month
This time I put my favorite right at the top. Heck, my second favorite is No. 2! Maybe I should one day put them all in order. Really, I should be more conscientious about weeding out the stinkers or maybe making it a top 10 list. But that might lead to a lot more thoughtfulness than I’m willing to expend. So, sorry, you’ll have to sift the chaff from the tweet.
Follow me @8Days2Amish!
Follow me @8Days2Amish!
March 20, 2018
Random observations on 'Annie,' book orders, Uber deaths & who we should kill first if we're serious about killing drug dealers
• President Trump’s vow to mete out the death penalty to drug dealers has me thinking of applying to medical school. I sense we’ll soon be in critical need of fresh doctors.
Because this opioid crisis wasn’t instigated by shady dealers in urban allies.
No, this crisis was spearheaded by esteemed doctors and pharmaceutical executives who correctly sensed enormous profit in anesthetizing
Because this opioid crisis wasn’t instigated by shady dealers in urban allies.
No, this crisis was spearheaded by esteemed doctors and pharmaceutical executives who correctly sensed enormous profit in anesthetizing
March 11, 2018
WWJD? Egg McMuffins for Latrobe's homeless!
(752 words)
I was succumbing to a morning need for fuel when my conscience was confronted with a WWJD moment.
These happen to me all the time, mostly in places where the risen Christ wouldn’t be caught dead, places like the drive-thru lane at the Route 30 McDonald’s.
Now, I know better than that. I know McDonald’s is unhealthy, its entire corporate premise is environmentally
I was succumbing to a morning need for fuel when my conscience was confronted with a WWJD moment.
These happen to me all the time, mostly in places where the risen Christ wouldn’t be caught dead, places like the drive-thru lane at the Route 30 McDonald’s.
Now, I know better than that. I know McDonald’s is unhealthy, its entire corporate premise is environmentally
