1. Give Pro Tips to Random Runners. They LOVE it. Chris and I discovered several races ago that, although I like running with him quite a bit on normal days, I like running quite alone for half marathons. Besides the fact that I run more positively when alone (I always feel like I’m trying to […]

We Callahans like Spelling Bees. There’s something so…objective about spelling, and yet so very challenging as well, because English is stupid. Every year at the beginning of the school year, I check the Scripps site daily for the release of the year’s list of 450 words. Because you can never be too early in starting […]

I have paranoid, careful children. They get it from their father. I mean, while growing up my family made fun of me for being too paranoid, but next to Chris, I’m basically tightroping across Niagara Falls every dang day. Having such a careful family does much to mitigate our injuries. (Other than mine, as I […]

My birthday was last week. As always, I woke up to an array of handmade cards from the children. Every year, they’re getting more detailed in expressing their feelings. Ali created this lovely card, With these even lovelier sentiments. And even drew me a bonus picture. See Mom, that’s Dad away from the nest working and […]

I wrote this on September 4, two weeks before my dad passed away.  “Live Like you’re dying.” We’ve all heard it and nodded thoughtfully at the platitude. Yes, yes yes, we should do all the things you would do if you were dying. Like appreciate life more, even if the garbage disposal just vomited in […]

Chris wrote this beautiful eulogy for my dad, and I wanted it to be forever here on my blog. Peter James Victor “Vic” Zannis went to be with his Lord on September 17, 2018. He lived a life of passionate adventure, dedicated skill, and serving love. He attended the University of Montevallo, graduated from Samford […]

My precious dad passed away early Monday morning. He adored his wife, kids, and grandkids more than anything else in his fascinating and adventurous life. He always prioritized making memories, imparting wisdom, and causing smiles and giggles. He had a spectacularly infinite range of talents. He was an expert on antique automobiles and their engines (and […]

I have written more in the past week than I have written in months. But first, let me tell you how I got there. This process of pausing has been very bizarre and not at all what I expected. Last week’s post was something I’ve dreaded publishing for quite some time because I feared that […]

I had a groundbreaking realization the other day while running – which makes sense, since that’s when my brain is most oxygenated. (Too bad I can’t write while running or I might write as often as I used to.) But seriously – this breakthrough could change the economic direction of the American public – are you […]

You may remember dear, kind former neighbor, Not-Crazy-Renee. Or  maybe you don’t. If you don’t, I demand that you immediately go do your homework and read everything in this category. You won’t regret it. Snakey Butters Buttercup made appearances in at least two of those stories. We’ll refer to her as SBB, out of mercy for my […]