By SEAN DIETRICH The Alabama mountains look good today. The evening sun is cresting over the hillsides. I’m watching an Appalachian spring overtake the foothills beneath me. Beside me is Otis. Otis is an athletic dog. He hikes faster than me. He is smarter than me. He...

By SEAN DIETRICH Danny and the band arrived late to the nursing home. They were running behind schedule because of traffic. But they were here, and that’s all that mattered. And they brought their instruments. “We’re all waiting for you, Danny,” said the nurse,...

By SEAN DIETRICH I am at a bar. It’s loud. There is live music. And cheeseburgers. I missed dinner tonight because I was making a speech at a dinner banquet. Which is ironic when you think about it. Everyone at this big banquet was eating hors d’oeuvres, sipping...

By SEAN DIETRICH I have a confession to make. I am addicted to my cellphone. I’m not proud of it. I don’t like admitting it. But I’m coming clean, publicly. I feel naked without my phone. I shower with my phone. In fact, on many occasions — I am not making this up — I...