Category Archives: COURAGE

DOUGH ON HER FINGERNAILS

Posted on May 26, 2020 by Kit Troyer

When my mother-in-law was in middle school in Beirut around 1946, she arrived late to class one day. The teacher scolded her. “You owe ten cents,” he said. It had already been a long day for the 12-year-old girl. She … Continue reading →

Posted in COURAGE, THE ARMENIAN IN-LAWS | 10 Comments

SPEAKING UP

Posted on May 21, 2020 by Kit Troyer

A friend recently wrote an essay for Time magazine on the cholera outbreaks in France in the 1830s. The piece is a good reminder that problems we experience today, though they may feel unique and once-in-a-lifetime, generally have similar antecedents in … Continue reading →

Posted in COURAGE, HEROES, POLITICS, UNIQUELY AMERICAN BULLSHIT | 5 Comments

DAVE’S A MESS

Posted on May 16, 2020 by Kit Troyer

There’s a scene in the old hockey movie Slapshot where an opponent talks trash about the Chiefs’ aging player-captain Paul Newman. One of Newman’s teammates, Dave, is outraged. He drops his stick and attacks the opponent. A bloody brawl ensues. … Continue reading →

Posted in COURAGE, DUMB SHIT I'VE DONE, HEROES, ICE HOCKEY, MOVIES, MY CHILDHOOD | 3 Comments

MY HERO

Posted on May 11, 2020 by Kit Troyer

My recent post about my my mother-in-law got me thinking about other heroes in my life. For as long as I can remember, No. 1 on the list has been my oldest sibling, Kenneth David Troyer. It’s not just that he shot … Continue reading →

Posted in CHILD REARING, COURAGE, HEROES | 9 Comments

DOWN THERE IN THE WOODS

Posted on May 6, 2020 by Kit Troyer

One night 50-something years ago, my mother-in-law was driving home to New Hampshire from Boston when she noticed two cars stopped along the highway. She slowed down as she approached the two cars. One was a police car. Nobody was … Continue reading →

Posted in COURAGE, HEROES, THE ARMENIAN IN-LAWS | 52 Comments

TO A FRIEND WHO OPENED HIS HEART

Posted on April 18, 2020 by Kit Troyer

Thank you for opening your heart. Thank you for telling me who your father was. In truth, I already knew, From talking to him at the ice rink, and From how you and your brother turned out. People don’t turn … Continue reading →

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GODDAMN FIXER

Posted on March 28, 2019 by Kit Troyer

I really don’t have much good to say about Chris Fix. Apart from him cooking meals for my son. And rooting for my son at the ice hockey rink. And letting my son stay at the Fix home in Hermosa … Continue reading →

Posted in CHILD REARING, COURAGE, ICE HOCKEY | 3 Comments

WHAT ARE YOU SCARED OF

Posted on October 4, 2018 by Kit Troyer

Good old Dr. Ford. She knew she was stepping in front of a train. But she went ahead and did it anyway. Well, here’s to courage. As my friends know, I’m a podcast junkie. I listen to a jillion of … Continue reading →

Posted in COURAGE, HEROES, UNIQUELY AMERICAN BULLSHIT | 7 Comments

THIS LYING-AROUND SHIT

Posted on February 24, 2012 by Kit Troyer

What’s the recipe for a good pep talk? To me, it’s Anger plus Encouragement plus a Little Bit of Crazy. A widely acknowledged classic was given by coach Herb Brooks to the US hockey team before their upset victory against the … Continue reading →

Posted in COURAGE, ICE HOCKEY, SAYINGS | Leave a comment

THE IMPORTANCE OF TRYING HARD

Posted on October 3, 2011 by Kit Troyer

Sorry for the long delay.  I know your lives were incomplete without a fresh posting. First, I want to discuss Jim Marsh, the Marcellus, N.Y., junior varsity football coach who was suspended last week for making an unplanned stop at … Continue reading →

Posted in COURAGE | 8 Comments