Essays by Chris Field

Chris Field

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To my Son

My son, do not fear. There are many things to be confused about, yes. Many questions are yet unanswered, and the guiding light of hope and freedom for our country has been dimmed. But that light will not be extinguished. I ask you to be brave in the days ahead.

Nonprofits, Again

Nonprofits, Again

For some of us, it is time to talk less and sit back and listen.

Award-Winning Essay!

Award-Winning Essay!

Chris Field is now an award winning author!

Progress on the Book Cover

Progress on the Book Cover

Great progress on the cover design for my novel, The Tree of Children. I have enjoyed working with the artist, Ashley Sowell [https://www.instagram.com/commandurr14/]. Fonts will change but I really like her energy in how she represents the main characters.

snowy woods scene with a tire swing, also covered in snow.

The Long Chill

No matter how high I set the thermostat, a chilly breeze runs across my feet.

Hot big pepperoni pizza tasty pizza composition with melting cheese bacon tomatoes ham paprika steam smoke

Life of (Pizza) Pi

In the face of this density of pizzerias on a single side of a hundred-yard stretch of road, a deep understanding of the rankings can only come through years of dedicated testing and retesting. You can’t get that from a few casual visits.

Opening up Royal Road and Patreon

Opening up Royal Road and Patreon

After reviewing several of the self publishing websites, I decided to open an account on Royal Road where I can publish serialized versions of my fantasy long form writing. No, it isn't "the dream" of getting picked up by a big four publisher, but so what.

the twisting limbs of a tree with green leaves.

Streams of Time

I jump into my Google photo collection and keep scrolling back all the way to 2002, the first dated picture I have stored there. Then I inch forward in time.

On Figuring

My dog keeps looking at me like I have all the answers, like I am about to do something incredible, and she’s going to be there for it.

Publishing

It seems pretty difficult to get a book published. Even digital publishing, as simple as it is, seems fraught with doubt, what ifs, and expense. But, what can be done? I am wrapping up the first part of a book I have been working on for awhile and I want

COVID Testing Without Cars

COVID Testing Without Cars

How are people who do not drive, and who might be in a wheelchair supposed to get COVID tested? Many of the testing centers I see are drive thru. Some are in hospital centers, but I suppose the person who thinks they have COVID is supposed to get on a

Falling In

It was March 13th, 2020. Remember? Sure you do. We all do.

A beige corded rotary phone

The Work You Do

An alumni association from one of my old colleges telephoned the other week. “Hello, Mr. Field! Can you catch us up on your education since leaving our school?” Of course. I provided the highlights of the six colleges I attended and three master’s degrees I earned. “Oh, my! So

Rainy 2021

Feeling like there has been a lot more rain in Pittsburgh than usual? I am.

A photograph of en empty school hallway

The End of Learning

I had to drive around the block to see them, my children, as they carried themselves towards the old stone steps

Thoughtful young man in modern glasses and casual wear looking on laptop screen.

The Spring of our Reconditioning

Where does the return to the old ways leave me, the common house dad? I am the parent who played the stay-at-home role over the last 400+ days. After everyone returns to work, and I come home to a quiet, suddenly empty house, I wonder if I will miss any of it and what I will do.

Slow-Time House Dad

Slow-Time House Dad

There are two large cookbooks in front of me on the table. My wife used them to press the moisture out of the tofu we air fried. I don’t…

Man Found Alive in Cave After Five Years

Man Found Alive in Cave After Five Years

Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Washington

Thirty-Eighth Wednesday of the Pandemic

Thirty-Eighth Wednesday of the Pandemic

Drinking bitter coffee at our small dining room table, I can look out the window and see the piles of camping gear on the back porch…

A woman in white shirt reading a magazine with coffee nearby

The Hard Part of Writing

I am sitting on thousands and thousands, tens of thousands of words. I crafted my story and heroine and dramatic arc and epic conclusion. I placed that last period after that last word of that last sentence.

We Need a National Discussion on Living with COVID-19 for the Long Term

We Need a National Discussion on Living with COVID-19 for the Long Term

The thing that bothers me is that our national leadership is acting like the COVID-19 virus is some sort of temporary thing. Our leaders need to underscore the message that this virus will be here for a while; a year, maybe years.

What Len Taught Me

What Len Taught Me

There was a time when I thought I might make a pretty good teacher. People told me I was kind and patient, understanding, and knowledgeable. They told me I had so many qualities of one. Then I worked as a substitute in a public school district.

COVID-19 and the Working Parent

COVID-19 and the Working Parent

I have a luxury. I am in graduate school. As I observe the number of COVID-19 infections grow by ten thousand each week, and hear of regional lockdowns, major conference cancellations, and school closures, I take a minute to consider what it might mean if my children’s school closed.

A muddy pair of black work boots worn with brown trousers by an unknown person in a dirty field

Getting Knocked Down

It is easy to look in the mirror and not see any value. Walking out of class yesterday, feeling too miserable because I can’t understand the math behind economics, I kept having memories from my freshman year of college in Kentucky; they kept looping through my head.

Curious four year old child playing with bubbles

On Seeking Joy

What is joy? Is it watching your children run into their school building on a drizzly morning, their backpacks bobbing up and down as they laugh and leap around puddles? There they go, through the doors. What wonders await them.