The Blog That Started with Mr. Nibbles

Life has a funny way of turning the most unexpected moments into something lasting. For me, it all began in 2006 with a hamster. Not just any hamster, mind you, but a scruffy little, blood-drawing creature named Mr. Nibbles.

Now, I know what you’re probably thinking: “Did the hamster bite your son?” Yes, he did. Hard enough to draw a lot of blood. But, surprisingly, the bite wasn’t what caused the real stir. It was the day Mr. Nibbles vanished.

One morning, we woke up to find our beloved family pet wasn’t in his cage. Gone. Vanished without a trace. No clue as to where he’d gone. To spare my son Brandon the heartbreak, we told him Mr. Nibbles had “simply disappeared.”

What seemed like a tiny event turned into an emotional storm. It wasn’t really about the hamster—it was the uncertainty and helplessness it stirred in all of us.

I mean, Brandon needed answers. How did he escape? He couldn’t fit through that hole. Who let him out and didn’t put him back? Had we talked to our cat, Bailey? She sees everything. (In Kindergarten, Brandon once stood outside with a clipboard, asking parents if Santa Claus was real. Yep, the school called me about it. Argh.)

To give Brandon some closure, I wrote The Amazing Tale of Mr. Nibbles - The Harry Houdini Hamster. Little did I know, it would be the start of something much bigger for me.

In the early days, my blog was a place to preserve my sons' writings—a tribute to their voices. But over time, it became a weekly ritual, a space where I could reflect and write. Every Wednesday/Thursday, I’d pour my thoughts into it, sometimes tweaking the content to share with my work team.

Now, nearly 20 years later, this blog has become a cornerstone of my life. It’s where I take time each week to reflect and share whatever’s on my mind with you—whoever may be reading.

Each post is a nugget of goodness I hope will resonate, inspire, or simply make you laugh.

So, welcome! I’m so glad you’re here. I hope that with each post, you find something that speaks to you—whether it’s a lesson learned, a funny story, or a thought that makes you pause.

Happy Thursday! -srt

P.S. The secret of what really happened to Mr. Nibbles will go with me (and Bailey) to the grave.

P.S.S. Written January 1, 2025, but postdating to January 1, 2006 - The Beginning. <3