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I once met Robert Redford. I was a young reporter in Denver, covering the state legislature and governor’s office for the now-defunct Rocky Mountain News. I’d received a tip that Redford was scheduled to have breakfast the following morning at the Governor’s Mansion with then-Governor Dick Lamm. I showed up early and met Redford at the door. After introducing myself, I asked why the two men were meeting....

“Why don’t you like bananas?” This is a question I used to get constantly from my children, and now get constantly from my grandchildren—all of whom are militant banana enthusiasts. These are people who consume bananas straight from the peel, sliced onto cereal, blended into smoothies, and baked into muffins. They view the banana not merely as a fruit, but as a cornerstone of human civilization. I, meanwhile,...

Anyone who knows me knows I have a soft spot for anything that flies—with the notable exceptions of mosquitoes and those terrifying winged monkeys from The Wizard of Oz. As a child, I was convinced one of those flying demons would swoop down and carry me off in broad daylight. That said, if it flies and doesn’t drink blood, I’m a fan. Airplanes hold my deepest affection. Helicopters...

Let’s talk about bougie. Not because I want to, but because apparently, I have to. One minute I’m living my life peacefully, eating Cheez-Its straight from the box like a perfectly civilized adult, and the next, someone informs me that my snack of choice is “not very bougie.” Suddenly I’m spiraling. Do I want to be bougie? Should I be bougie? Is eating Cheez-Its directly from the box...

“The Fireballer Book Review” Upon occasion, you come across a novel that—if you’ll pardon the cliché—hits it out of the park. You open to page one, and by page two, you know you’re in trouble. The kind of trouble that keeps you up past midnight, ignoring obligations and questioning how little sleep you can function on the next day. The Fireballer, written by former journalist and veteran novelist...