2026: State of the Blog

My friend TB, over at The Forty-Five, at the first of each year posts a primer on his blog, explaining the names and labels he uses, giving his readers and friends a summary of his life as he relates it on his blog. 

During the past 18 months or so, he has relocated, so he reminds readers what terms such as "New Home" and "New Home 2.0" mean. I appreciate his style of writing and his updates. 

I am a little more open, using my real name and location, so I don't need to make any such explanations. But taking my cue from him, I feel inclined to write some type of "state of the blog" at the beginning of this year. 

I started this blog in 2008 at the encouragement of my friend Kelly, a childhood friend. She and I don't remember when and where we first met (although it was likely in the church nursery), but we also don't remember ever not knowing each other! 

So, Kelly got me started and I've been here ever since. Things have definitely changed over the years, and I have changed some myself. If you were to look at some of my early posts, you might think, today, I would be a card-carrying member of MAGA. Nothing could be further from the truth, as I have made no secret of my disdain for the current occupant of the White House, and I am pleased to say I have never voted for him. 

My situation might be somewhat like Ronald Reagan's when he became a Republican, saying he did not leave the Democratic Party but, rather, it left him. 

For me, I suppose it would be the other way around, but I was never a staunch Republican and I sure as heck am not, and never have been, a Democrat. Over the course of my life, I have probably voted for GOP candidates more than Democrats. But since Donald Trump came on the scene, my leanings have definitely changed. I will address this and related issues in a subsequent post. Let's get away from politics for now. 

In 2011 I became a weekly columnist for a local online publication. My blog writing became less frequent when that happened, but I also posted links to my columns here from time to time. My column lasted until 2022 when new owners ceased running my work (not that I'm bitter). 

With the end of my column, I started writing on Substack. Readers of my column followed me there, and I have a decent following. Some of you are also subscribers. If you would like to subscribe, here is the link: Bob McKinney: What I Know | Substack. You'll get each installment in an email. Please be assure I understand if this blog is plenty for you. 

So, what is the difference between this blog and my Substack? I am glad you asked. 

The Substack is a continuation of the column I wrote, which was titled "What I Know." The tagline says it best: Everyman. Life Observations. Occasional Opinions. I will write about any number of topics, including but not limited to books, food, family life, friends, local issues -- whatever might be on my mind, and I try to write in an upbeat manner with a healthy dose of humor. And yes, I'll occasionally express an opinion. Readers are able to interact with me via comments or direct emails, which I thoroughly enjoy. 

This Monday on my Substack, I'll be posting a somewhat tongue-in-cheek report from the annual meeting of the Bob McKinney: What I Know Substack Steering Committee. I say tongue-in-cheek because the committee consists of one member, me, and the annual meeting is very much a reason for me to enjoy my favorite local taproom for an hour or so. But, as Monday's column will confirm, I really do hold the "meeting" and set some goals. 

The blog is more personal. Over the years I have made some friends here, and the folks and their blogs listed on my sidebar make up what I think of as a community of sorts. And while I write here less than I did in those early days, I still very much enjoy it and especially enjoy the interaction with those of you who read and comment. Even more, I enjoy reading your blogs. 

I am more likely to share details here about matters affecting my family, such as my son-in-law's cancer or my retirement. I also post pictures from vacations or certain events. If it happens to snow here, you can bet you'll see a picture of it here. 😀

With my recent retirement, I might write more at both places. I have renewed my commitment to weekly posting on my Substack -- we will see!  With this being my second post of 2026 in this space, I think I am off to a good start here. 

So that's the state of things as this year begins. I'll continue telling some stories and I'll look forward to reading yours. 

Cheers. 

International Christmas Eve: Spain

I did not get very good pictures, but in keeping with my practice to report on my family's annual international Christmas Eve here, I will post these. 

As has been our custom for the past decade or so, we observed Christmas Eve Dec. 26th and Christmas Day Dec. 27th. We had everyone here -- 14 humans. (Next year there will be 15, as Younger Son and his lovely wife are expecting baby #2, a girl, in June!)

This year was Spain. Decorations were bright colored flowers, both real and paper, along with a Spanish flag and banners also with bright colors. Ladies had the option of wearing decorative headpieces while some of the men wore fedoras. 

As usual, we started in the entry hall with appetizers (Wife made a Spanish themed charcuterie board) and drinks (sangria and a Spanish beer, Estelle Damm). For dinner, we got tapas from a local Spanish restaurant which Wife and I had tried a couple of weeks before. All were delicious and we all enjoyed the ease of it, especially Wife. 

Now that the children are older, they also participate in the fun. 

As they say in Spain, "Todos lo pasaron bien!" (A good time was had by all!)

                                                        

                                    

                                            

Reading 2025: Fiction

 Fiction I read in 2025: 

1.    The Exchange by John Grisham

2.    Camino Ghosts by Jonn Grisham

3.    All the Glimmering Stars by Mark Sullivan

4.    The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens

5.    None of This is True by Lisa Jewel

6.    My Friends by Fredrik Backman

7.    The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose

8.    Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy

9.    The Caretaker by Ron Rash

10.   The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson

11.    The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

12.    Culpability by Bruce Holsinger

13.    The Widow by John Grisham

I would recommend any/all of these with #9 The Caretaker being my favorite, and #11 The Correspondent coming in at a close second. 

Rash (The Caretaker) is a brilliant writer, the author of Serena which I read a couple of years back. which was excellent but dark, and with few redeemable characters. I liked this one better. 

Virginia Evans deserves high praise for The Correspondent, which is equal parts funny, poignant and moving. Being a letter writer myself, this one was perfect for me. 

Grisham continues to crank them out (three on this list), and I continue to read them. Fortunately, I have a friend who buys all of them and passes them on to me when he is done. 

Culpability (#12) is certainly worth your time if you have any interest in, and/or concerns about, Artificial Intelligence. 

#6 My Friends is another solid read by Fredrik Bakman, author of A Man Called Uve and others I have enjoyed. 

#3 All the Glimmering Stars is nothing short of disturbing and one likely to stay with you long after you have finished. Masterfully written, it is based on the true story of two teenagers kidnapped in the 1990s and forced to become child soldiers in Joseph Kony's Lord's Resistance Army. It reminded me of how much injustice there is in the world and how largely insulated I am from it. 

My nod to the classics was #10 The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. My interest was piqued when a pastor in my church referenced it while preaching on Romans 7 and the Apostle Paul's struggle with his sinful nature. I very much enjoyed this one and will likely read something similar in 2026. 

Speaking of 2026, Happy New Year to all of you. I hope to be reading more now that I am retired and look forward to sharing more titles. I hope you will do the same.