Jeff Gauger

I play Wordle daily and finally got a prize. Am I obsessed? If I am, would I even know? ... Read my latest at 30-Second Read: 30secondread.com/wordle-badge/ #Wordle

The Kiss Missed It was the briefest of flings, consummated without so much as a proper kiss. And, wow, did it stir something.

An essay by Thomas Gunning.

Perhaps I miscounted! I've heard from a lot of people who don't like horror movies.

Grandma Loves Zombie Movies? Among the things I will never understand is why people I otherwise admire and respect like horror movies.

I've concluded that I am one of seven people globally who don't like horror movies.

Ego at Play I'm perfect for every leading role in a stage play that I audition for. Just ask my ego.

A new mini essay by Thomas Gunning.

Never Homeless in Texas The things you learn if you simply talk with people. Here's what I learned from friendly people living rough.

Years ago, while exiting a Baton Rouge Subway sandwich shop, I noticed a group of men with ragged, dirty clothes and long beards and hair and one young woman on crutches with bandaged toes. They said nothing, and I walked by.

A mini tale by Wayne Parker. 30secondread.com/never-homele...

They're Silent. Or Cheering. The gun lobby told us we needed weapons to stop the federal government from stealing our liberties.

Gun worship is our nation’s second great sin.

Our original sin was slavery and the stain of prejudice it abetted, although our new Poobahs want us to forget and ignore.

But today is about our Second Sin.

Bathroom Antics I read in the bathroom, using my time while seated to entertain myself from books both informative and inspirational.

A new mini essay from Thomas Gunning, at 30SecondRead.com.

Beyond All Words Even in my darkest and hardest moments, so many have shown that they care. It's been a blessing beyond words.

I rarely can’t find something to write or say. If you know me, then you know: Gauger has words.

So I was surprised last week when words wouldn’t come. I sat mute, eyes wet, grasping for any wisp of a thought, flailing for words.

#gratitude #cancer

Grandpa Serenade My sweetest memories include singing to my grandsons during long walks on Sunday mornings.

From Thomas Gunning: My sweetest memories include singing to my grandsons during long walks on Sunday mornings. 30secondread.com/grandpa-sere...

Don't Tell the IRS Yes, I'm one of millions of very special people to have received a share of the Facebook settlement.

I'm richer! 30secondread.com/facebook-set...

Exit, Chased by Bear Stage theater is a world of its own where geography and even stage directions defy what's possible. And so what?

I read "The Winter's Tale" in college but, ahem, remember nothing about it. The Read's Thomas Gunning delivers fun morsels about the Shakespeare play in his latest mini essay. #shakespeare

My Last Adventure Death will come for me, and nothing I do will change that fact. But I control how I master the time I have left.

My friend Wayne Parker, who has had more cause than most to ponder dying, addresses just that in a new mini essay. #dying #death #cancer

Finding Firth I can't function without Google Maps. Imagine my difficulties when my phone died in rural Nebraska.

My friend Thomas Gunning is brilliant about many things. But not about everything, as his latest mini essay makes clear.

One Hundred Thousand 30-Seccond Read, now in its sixth year, hits a milestone. Thank you to the writers and readers who have made it possible.

A pandemic baby is all grown up.

Cranks and Crazies Uncle Barney and Cousin Gladys behaved badly. But their families made it worse. Way worse.

A true tall tale.

Leaving Savanna Like all raptors, Savanna the Swainson's hawk presented an intelligence that is alien to humans. Then came illness.

Writer Thomas Gunning on his time with a raptor. 30secondread.com/leaving-sava...

My Hairy Distraction My goatee is good for my self-image. How others see me and my chin squiggle is something else entirely.

My friend Thomas J. Gunning on his chin fuzz.

And There Were Twenty My Facebook friends list holds joy and sadness, happy memories – and faces I can't recall.

A win for Facebook: I spent 20 minutes scrolling through my friends list. Today's mini essay is the result.

But Enough Whining Time and retirement have narrowed my connections with friends and family. There's still much to savor.

A new mini essay from Thomas Gunning.

Writing in Exile, Reading for Home Writers and readers meet in tension, seeking connection across culture and yearning.

Nahar Trina returns with a gentle reflection on writing and reading far, far from home. #writing

Veteran of the Resistance I resisted before and, faced with today's peril, I am resisting again. Differently.

New today at 30-Second Read, from Thomas Gunning.

Gen Zers prank Boomer I was pranked about the engagement of Taylor and Travis. And thank goodness, because I needed an essay idea.

It's only the biggest news ever!

Fog of Night Time catches all of us, as it has my beloved cat, leaving me to help him into the light.

If you've lived with a pet, you know that it's emotionally hard as your companion nears the end. Thomas Gunning shares his experience in today's 30-Second Read. #Pets&Animals

Please listen carefully, our menu options have changed The joys of being on hold with life’s most unhelpful operator — the interactive voice response system.

Please listen carefully, our menu options have changed

For My Sins College football is an obsession for all except those few who just don't get it.

I invite you to join my little club of weirdos and wackos.

Memories and Emotions A family reunion gathers people and mementos – and awakens memories that connect across generations.

A touching essay about the family we have lost, from Thomas Gunning. #family

Greengoolust The biggest mystery of summer 2025 is why my worst garden foe has been a no-show. With a shocking second ending.

The hornworms usually win. #gardenSky #gardeningFeed #gardening

Post-Production Blues A stage play requires teamwork and provides community until the lights fade and the play is but a memory.

It's go, go, go until the final curtain. And then it isn't. Thomas Gunning explains. 30secondread.com/post-product...

'I Can Stop the Rain' A tall but not entirely wrong tale set in the Oval Office about how no obstacle will stop the important work of government.

A snippet of dialogue. From the White House.