Category Archives: Family

Family Memories

June 2, 2026 · 10:57 am

The Saga of Rocky the Racoon

It is always a good idea to pay attention to what your spouse is saying to you, especially if she says it repeatedly. Such was the case, recently, when my wife reported that she had been hearing something on the roof of the house. “What could be on the roof?”, I thought.  Maybe a large bird had temporarily landed there?

She insisted that whatever it was that had been visiting our roof came at night and made scratching sounds, as if it had claws. I still dismissed this as perhaps a fiction of her imagination or a visitation in her dreams. Then, one day, while working in my office, I heard something too. It sounded like something had fallen. Perhaps something in one of the closets had shifted and fallen down?  I would look into to it later. Which I never did.

Then came the night, actually early morning, whilst I was soundly asleep that my spouse awakened me, saying, “I hear it again”.  Her tone of voice was such that I determined I had better take action, which I did, grabbing a flashlight and going out into the rain to examine the roof line – front and back sides of the house. Nothing.

Unable to get back to sleep I decided to read, seated in my recliner in the family room, thinking I might get drowsy again. It was then that I heard “something”. Only, I knew it wasn’t on the roof but in the attic. So, flashlight in hand, I pulled down the attic stairs and crept up above the garage to investigate. As I shined my light around a pair of eyes shined right back at me. Then those eyes scampered up the studs of the exterior wall – eyes belonging to a small racoon. It quickly made it’s way up and into the eaves of the house. I’m not sure who was more surprised by our early morning meeting, me or the racoon?

With heart racing and in disbelief, while wondering: “How did it possibly get inside the attic?”, I went to report my findings to the now trying to go back to sleep spouse. My report did nothing to encourage her resumption of slumber. Instead, we grappled with the fact that we had a critter in the attic. What now?

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May 19, 2026 · 9:00 am

New Book Release: “Korea Courage”

My latest book Korea Courage is now available in paperback format with the e-reader version to be released on Memorial Day, May 25, 2026. A work of historical fiction, Korea Courage, tells the story of a young couple, recently married, whose plans were upended by the Korean War. The book follows a chapter of their early life together, recounting events of 1951-52, as they each found courage to confront the challenges they were facing.

You can listen to the Introduction to Korea Courage read in the author’s voice here.

You can read the Prologue to Korea Courage here.

The book is available in paperback and e-reader format on Amazon.com.

You can also visit my Amazon author page here.

Thanks for your interest and support of my writing. This particular project has been a labor of love and I hope you enjoy it.

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December 17, 2025 · 8:00 am

Pondering the Christmas Parade

“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see – I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people. . .”  (Luke 2:10 NRSV)

Our family attended the community Christmas Parade this past Saturday evening. It was a 90 plus minute procession of one fire truck, police vehicle, pickup truck, float, civic group, local business, Mack truck, Semi-Truck, pickup truck, band, church group, politician seeking office, social service organization, pickup truck after another. There were a lot of lights illuminating the vehicles and pedestrians, way too many grinches in costume, several blow up decorations (a few of them ambulatory), and Santa at the end. It was your typical small town Midwestern parade – well attended, safely conducted and enjoyed by children, families and watchers of all ages. For my money (it was free) it could have been about 30 minutes shorter and tightened up a bit – reducing big gaps between entries. But hey, it was free, and I appreciate the effort volunteers make in helping such an event happen in today’s world.  

As a people watcher I find parades kind of interesting. It’s interesting to watch those in the parade and the outlandish things they will do and wear to get attention. It’s also interesting to watch the people who are watching the parade. Children often take center stage holding their collection bags over safety barriers in hopes of candy and freebies. Parents of said children are interesting to watch as they encourage their child to “see” what’s coming next, say “thank you” when given a treat, or cover their ears if the noise of a particular exhibit is overwhelming.

I was present as a grandad and not directly responsible for anyone given that the grands parents were all present. I noted the woman who brought her chair and set up next to our party. She was prepared – chair, blanket, earmuffs, and solid winter gear. She seemed a bit disinterested at times, but I get it, how many local business’ advertising pickup trucks can one get enthused over? Yet when the high school band finally came down the street, she perked right up. She even recorded a video of their performance. “She must have a kid in the band”, I thought to myself.  This thought was further reinforced when she packed up and left soon after the band had gone by. I understood. I’ve been that band parent, sitting in the cold waiting for the band to arrive and perform.

A couple of additional observations come to mind from this parading spectacle. I was heartened to once again note the diversity that exists in our hometown. This was not a one look parade – it included people of all skin tones, as well as diversity in expression, faith profession, and persuasion. It seemed that one entry in particular was making a statement about their ethnic heritage, which I appreciated and applauded in this climate of ICE deportation threats. Not only was their performance well-rehearsed and presented, I found them to be brave. 

My other observation was that people were having a good time. I noted how many greetings were shared between parade participants and parade watchers. “Merry Christmas” rang out over and over again, as well as the aforementioned “thank you.”  Maybe I’m reading more into things than is merited, but I had the sense that people were enjoying being together in public, in celebration of a seasonal event that gave everyone reason to be on the same side. Even the entries related to folks running for office seemed understated. How nice to put aside “news” and “social media” messaging, and cheering for opposing teams, or debating divergent ideologies, and instead just be in common space for common purpose.

Maybe you see what you are looking for, or what you need. Maybe that’s why I found myself seeing and hearing and thinking about what I write. At 6 p.m. on a Saturday I wasn’t listening to troubling state, national or world news; I was celebrating good news, the Good News of Christmas. There needs to be more of this, would you agree?

© Daniel M. Cash, 2025

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October 8, 2025 · 12:59 pm

Book Update: Dakota Dreams and Hoosier Homeland

Dear Reader: If you have purchased a copy of my book “Dakota Dreams and Hoosier Homeland” I say “thank you!”. The book, released on September 19th, has produced a fair number of sales in these early days, and I am grateful. If you have yet to purchase a copy, I invite you to do so. You will find it an easy read of just 115 pages in the historical fiction genre, exploring the period of homesteading in the American west. Both paper back and e-reader versions are available here through Amazon.

In this world of writing and self-publishing, I am not very good at the marketing and self-promotion part. Like most writers I prefer to let the work speak for itself. Nonetheless, I know that one must encounter something multiple times in our over-messaged world today before determining to act. So, if you’ve thought about checking out the book, here’s a gentle nudge to prompt you.

For those who have, or will, read Dakota Dreams and Hoosier Homeland, I would invite you to offer a review on Goodreads. You can do that through this link.

Frequently Asked Questions: Here are my responses to some of the most frequently asked questions I have received about the book, for those inclined to read a little further.

Why did you decide to write a book like this, in the historical fiction genre?
The idea for this book lived in my head for a couple of years before I ever began writing it. I am a reader of both history and fiction, and sometimes historical fiction. For example, I find Theodore Roosevelt’s time in the Dakotas to be fascinating, and I have read quite a bit about it.
I knew I wanted to explore my Grandfather Clyde Cash’s Dakota homesteading story, but I did not have very many facts to build on. So, I began to research the period of history in which it took place, pulled together the family anecdotes I knew of, and created a story I hope in some way reflects the challenge of that period.

Is this a book about you, your experiences in the Dakotas?
While the book is about my grandparents, Clyde and Anna Cash, there is no doubt it became a way for me to reflect on my own somewhat recent experience in the Dakotas. While it has now been close to three years since I lived and worked there, I needed a way to process the experience and was finally ready to do so. Clyde and Anna’s story became a means of doing just that.
So, if you were curious about “what happened” or “why did Dan come back to Indiana”, this is your chance to read between the lines a little and draw your own conclusion. For my part, the book is now closed on that brief chapter of my life, including it’s disappointments and discoveries.

Do you have any other books in the works?
Someone who loves to write always has another idea or two incubating, and this would be true of me. I’m not ready to promise anything by name just yet, but I am continuing to work on a ministry leadership book I’ve been developing over recent years. I also have another historical fiction idea I’m anxious to explore and see if it my grow into a book.
The writer side of me does it for the enjoyment, certainly not the financial rewards! I always appreciate hearing from readers who like my work, or feel some connection to it.

Have you written anything else?
Yes, I have co-authored two earlier books, 8 Questions Jesus Asked, and The Changing Church, both Judson Press publications. You can learn more about those books on the “Books by Daniel Cash” section of this site. I also somewhat regularly blog post here at danielcash.org and write, and occasionally share a podcast through my Substack page.

If you have not yet subscribed to this page, I invite you to consider doing so. Thank you!

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September 30, 2025 · 4:14 pm

What I Am Learning Being a Grandad

“This may just be the best job I’ve ever had!”

“Grandad”.  I didn’t know what to expect of this new, later-in-life title I was about to inherit upon the birth of our first grandchild.  People would often ask me, “How do you feel about becoming a grandparent?”  “I don’t know”, was my usual reply.  And that was me being honest.

But once that little boy (our first grandchild) arrived in this world, I think both my wife and I realized this was going to be great. Becoming a grandad was and is a blessed new role that’s been bestowed on me in my later years.

This role has taught me a lot.  I found myself reflecting on it once again over the past year as we welcomed our first granddaughters into the family. They, like their three older boy cousins, are wonderful.

What am I learning, being a grandad (now five times over)?  Here’s a working list that I have no doubt I will continue to add to:

  • Naps are a gift – especially when holding a napping grandchild. Babies like contact time when they sleep and it’s good for grandparents too.
  • It’s not always the outcome, but the process that counts.  Having a grandchild help you cook, garden, rake leaves, repair something . . . what a fun thing to be able to teach, watch & encourage.  The process is more important than the product.
  • When they show up, drop what you’re doing – it can wait.  Having grandchildren has helped me learn the importance of the present. These moments are fleeting, don’t miss them.
  • Every grandchild’s personality is unique and should be cherished as such.  Don’t play the comparison game, just enjoy each unique child on their own.
  • Ice cream tastes better when you share it.
  • Parents need a break once in a while – and so do their children.
  • Having some one-on-one time with a grandchild can teach you a lot about that child.
  • Sports feel way less competitive from the grandad chair.  Every team member deserves equal playing time!
  • Who knew Legos could be so much fun?
  • Toddlers take great joy in tearing down things. Especially aforementioned Legos.
  • The laughter of a child is some of life’s best music.
  • Discipline should be the realm of mom and dad.
  • I’m in love with a Grandma (or “Lolly” in my case)!
  • Don’t worry about keeping score in cards, basketball, soccer or any other shared game. Let the grand be the score keeper if that’s important to them.  Remember, they are always right.
  • Enjoy the wonder of discovery through a grandchild’s eyes and other senses. This world is pretty incredible.  Sometimes our familiarity is a detriment to wonder – not so with a child.  Let them re-teach you.
  • Collections are fun – sticks, rocks, bugs, Hot wheels . . . . you name it!
  • Spend some money on those kids.  You can’t take it with you.  Better to enjoy a moment together now.  
  • Little libraries are fun to visit while on a walk. 
  • A piano is a magnet to little people.  Ear plugs might help.
  • There’s nothing quite like raiding Lolly’s snack cabinet.  In my day it was Grandma’s cookie jar.
  • A trip to Rural King just for the free popcorn is worth it!
  • Watching your adult children parent is pretty cool.

These are just some of the things that I am learning.  I’m sure there will be more.  Can’t wait!

© Daniel M. Cash 2025

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