Entries by Matt Davenport

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Look Up

Almost 2 years ago, we planted several Coast Live Oak trees in our yard. We live out in a rural area that has enough space to support these native giants. These Oaks are iconic in Southern California because of the shear mass they can achieve over the course of hundreds of years. It’s awe-inspiring to […]

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GOOD JUICE

Our 15th-month-old daughter recently walked over with a mask in hand grunting as to alarm me that I needed to have it on. It dawned on me that she sees the mask as an important part of my outfit. Like sunglasses, masks have become part of the uniform we carefully pick up before we leave […]

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MISPLACED

I don’t describe myself as being overly handy. Don’t get me wrong, over the years I have hung pictures, shelves, put cribs and toys together but the experience is not a pleasant one for anyone in my vicinity. I become notably cranky and short-fused.  Most recently, my wife and I were hanging a picture in […]

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In the Eye of the Hurricane

Unless you have been living under a rock, you have watched or listened to Lin- Manuel Miranda’s brilliant smash hit Hamilton. In the musical, Alexander Hamilton is in the midst of a personal crisis when he belts out the tune Hurricane.  In the eye of the hurricane   There is quiet For just a moment […]

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Biscuits and Gravy

When you look back at your life can you identify a time where anxiety helped your situation? If you’re like me the answer is never. Anxiety is like the comfort food of the human condition. We know it doesn’t help us in the long run, but the high carb sentimental indulgence makes us feel better […]

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What Can Possibly Go Wrong?

This is never going to end! These words have crossed my mind several times in 2020. What if? What then? Words of doubt eventually lead to anxiety. Accepting the fact that you are not in control quickly puts anxious thoughts into perspective.  Recently, my family was fortunate enough to take an RV trip. As we […]

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Pack a Parachute

Skydiving is a hobby that I have never really understood. Excited men and women have driven out to remote locations for decades in hopes of jumping out of a plane. Personally, I find flying in 700,000 lb. aircraft at 500 miles an hour 35,000 feet above the earth exhilarating enough. That being said, jumping out […]

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YOU ARE NOT DISPOSABLE

Some time ago, disposable cameras were all the rage. They were fun, primarily because there was a bit of suspense baked into the outcome. One would never quite know if they captured the right photo until weeks later when the camera roll was dropped off and then picked up at a tiny house in the […]

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BROKE IS THE NEW RICH

In 1998, Stephen M. Pollan penned a bestseller titled Die Broke. Mr. Pollan interlaces several sound practices, but one really stuck out. Give what you have away while you are alive to enjoy watching others be blessed by your generosity. Why wait to give away what you have earned until after your gone. Where’s the […]

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ON THE ROAD AGAIN

On the road againGoin’ places that I’ve never beenSeein’ things that I may never see againAnd I can’t wait to get on the road again Willie Nelson’s words spark the imagination. They take us to a place of daydreaming and embracing the possibilities of new frontiers. Interesting to look back and realize we have recently […]