About this Blog
Stories with a message. A little wit. A little wisdom. That’s it. Not always funny, but more often than not (I was born with a smirk). I’m a writer, director, composer, filmmaker, and thinker-about-stuffer. Too much for one lifetime, really.
Posting Schedule
- Mondays – Thought for the Week – something I’m chewing on and think maybe you should too.
- Tuesdays – My Real Memoir – I mem often and am not ashamed to admit it. You can read assorted memoir posts by clicking here.
- Wednesdays – (No blog posts – writing and research time)
- Thursdays – Topical Posts – i.e. whatever pops into my head.
- Fridays – Friday Photoblogs – galleries of themed images and quotes.
- Saturdays – (No blog posts – writing and research time)
- Sundays – Eternal Yearnings – short, heartfelt meditations on the infinite.
The Wishing Map – I developed this epic fantasy novel in association with the Walt Disney Company. And now you can read it in episodic form–for free! To begin, click here!
Pastors, Teachers and Group Leaders – You’ll find a wealth of message illustrations and conversation-starters (videos, monologues, scenes) on The Story Shop page! Plus hundreds of sermon and discussion-inspiring posts here!
Guest Speaking
I have guest spoken at conferences, colleges, churches, festivals and cons throughout North America and the UK. For information about booking me, click here.
About Me
I’m a storyteller (writer, filmmaker, composer, public speaker) with the audacity to believe others might actually want to read, watch or hear the things I come up with. I live in Cincinnati, Ohio with my wise and gorgeous wife Trudy. Together we’ve created our magnum opi: two adorable, wildly creative children. More? Well, if you insist: there are mini-bios on me at Wikipedia and IMDb.
Additional snippets can be found in posts under the headings of Memoir and Fool’s Odyssey (a serialized autobiographical poem).
About the Content
I make no claim to being a source of wisdom, but am a frequent carrier and an infector of others. My passion, what gets me out of bed in the morning (besides my wife and hungry pets), is speaking truth into others’ lives. Hence, you’ll find Bible quotes (I’m a Jesus follower), along with direct or indirect references to Pascal, Chesterton, Merton, C.S. Lewis, Evelyn Underhill, and many other scientists, mystics, and storytellers.
Thank you for the follow. I am joyfully surprised and honored when someone takes the time to read my thoughts. I look forward to reading more of yours. ☺️You have a great way of alternating between humor and inspiration.
The pleasure’s mine, Ellie.
It’s nice you found my blog, and now I see yours:) Nice to see a writer who loves God:) Me too.
Thanks for stopping by my page!
Thanks for checking out The Meta-Bug. The plural of opus is “opera.”
Opera is the classical plural form from the Latin but Opi is the more commonly used term especially to denote informal ideas as Mitch did in that particular sentence referencing the “creation” of his kids. 🙂
It always helps to have a good defense attorney. ;>) Thank you, sir!
Yeah, using “opera”, or pointing it out, is probably annoyingly pedantic. 🙂
Hi, I would like to let you know that I have nominated you for the One Lovely Blog Award. If it interests you, the link is here: https://blogdecompanie.wordpress.com/2017/07/11/one-lovely-blog-award-1/.
Please take your time. I would respect whatever is your decision for participating or not. Just please know that I do take delight in your blog and I value all the effort and imagination you put into it. Yours sincerely, Iulia.
Honored, Iulia! Will try and get to it this next week. Thank you!
I am happy! You are welcome. I will try to do the same about your graceful nomination. Please excuse the lapse of time. I am thanking you again for thinking of me. Yours sincerely, Iulia 🙂
First of all thank you so much for the likes for my daughter and myself. This is all new to her and I have only posted maybe 6 months. We are enjoying building into the blogging community.The Caterpillars Don’t…is sweet! Have you written a full testimony story about your life? Also…going to be in Cinci on Aug 5 if you happen to be at the Kayak race on the river!!
Welcome to the blogosphere, both of you! I haven’t written a book-length testimony, but I do frequent Memoir posts (that’s one of my Categories), so there is a piecemeal testimony of sorts scattered throughout the blog site. We’re aware of the kayak race in August, but haven’t made it so far. Remind me when it gets close and maybe I can drop by. Blessings!
Thanks Mitch! will message you closer to the 5th if all works as planned!!
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Thanks for hitting like in one of my posts.
Your bio is encouraging. 🙂
Hi Mitch. Thanks for checking out couchmagpie.com – hope to see you there again sometime 🙂
Thank you for stopping by A Couple of Stars and a Happy Face. I’ve enjoyed what I’ve read so far on your site and look forward to reading more.
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Thanks for dropping by my blog today. Hope to see you again. Pleased to see with your blog that you are a person of faith also. Hope to see you again.
Thanks for visiting https://desisoulart.wordpress.com/ and liking my post!! Good luck on your endeavours!
I am new to blogging and hence not sure of blogging protocol. I appreciate your reading my thoughts and I hope you enjoyed. I am enjoying your site as well.
Protocol? Nah, we’re all just making this up as we go along. ;>) Welcome, friend!
Hi Mitch…so you live in Cincinnati? I do as well. In your film work…do you have any interest in making use of any original, spiritual music? I saw you have an interest in Merton and he was a major influence on me, my writing and spirituality. My songs are all on YouTube.
Hi Bill, nice to meet a fellow Cincinnatian! Re. music: you never know. Send me a few links to your songs. Thanks and blessings. ~Mitch
Hi Mitch…here are a few links: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dw0IA-67AEw ; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAFDTIASrYw ; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-A_kEK6LV4 ; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGvToNBS7lI ; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utu01uPoUFY ; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyEMGtpFbxY ; All songs from my first 3 albums are on YouTube if you search “Bill Tonnis”. My 4th album, “Mercy Reigns”, is about to be available. Thanks for your time…and I hope you enjoy the music. Blessings ~ Bill
Thanks for connecting with me! What’s your mission in life?
In a nutshell, Dylan? To use the power of Story to speak truth into people’s lives (including my own).
Happy to connect sir!!
Happened across your blog and really enjoyed it. I look forward to reading more!
Why, thank you, Mozelle. Good to meet you!
My pleasure; very happy to have made your acquaintance.
Ok…I can get into this stuff. Thanks.
Thanks back!
Hi Mitch. I have a blogging related question, wondering if you had encountered any issues with, but can’t see a way to contact you. Do you have any recent issues with notifications? Can you leave me a message on my Contact page.
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Thanks for checking out my blog! Hope to see you back soon!
Mitch, glad I discovered your blog. It’s very well-written and thought-provoking. From what I’ve seen so far, we have things in common (music, philosophies) and other things not in common (religion, philosophies). And, amazingly, we’re both live in the same town (Cincinnati). Anyway, I look forward to future discussions and debates, and thanks for visiting Longitudes!
Hah, a fellow Cincinnatian! Actually, I’m a transplant (we’ve lived here almost 13 years now). And, yes, we do seem to have quite a few overlapping interests. Merry Christmas!
Thanks for liking my post on Luke 2:1-18 (thegamutblog.wordpress.com)!
Thanks for liking my post “Solid Ground”. Your blog inspires me!
So happy to hear that, Lois.
Mitch, thanks so much for following my blog! I’m enjoying yours tremendously; you share so many sides of yourself — your humor, wisdom, heart and faith. Very inspiring and encouraging!
Thank you, Lee!
Thanks for the like and for stopping by my tiny corner of the “blog-o-sphere”. I really enjoyed reading your bio and the train phobia story. As a teen I lived in rural NC and those country rail crossings on a foggy night — well, that will put the fear of God into you~!
Good to connect!
Thanks for checking out my blog Mitch, and thanks for the likes! I used to live in Cincinnati myself. My son was born at Good Samaritan. We lived in Mt. Lookout for awhile before buying a house in Pleasant Ridge. I was a creative guy at Young & Rubicam, when they had an office there. I really loved living there and I still buy Skyline Chili at Kroger here in Atlanta, and do my best to replicate a Three-Way the way they served it in Cincy! Cheers and Peace.
How cool, RF! We’re Cincy transplants, ourselves–moved here from L.A. 13 years ago.
Hi MItch
Your name popped up on an old blog that I had lost but fortunately a lovely lady found it this morning and returned it to me. Remember ‘Big Blue Mouth’?
Hey, John, I remember you! But help me recall “Big Blue Mouth.”
just google ‘Big Blue Mouth blog’; it’ll come up; be lovely for you to visit; it’s my first post on this site for over six months “)
Will do!
I’m honored you are reading. Thank you. (I, too, was born with a smirk.)
Smirkers of the world, unite!
I am slowly making my way through your catalog of posts, and I have to say – I’m enjoying every moment.
Delighted to hear that!
I appreciate your posts. I get paranoid when I read about unoriginal authors, though. I’m not well read and really, I probably sound just like everyone else. Please reassure me! 🙂
You’re wonderful! How’s that? ;>)
Thank you, my enlightened friend, for the unexpected like <3
Hi, thanks for liking my first blog post! I look forward to reading yours too.
You are nominated for the Sunshine Blogger’s Award. 🙂
https://wordpress.com/post/seekingdivineperspective.com/259
I’m honored, Ann, however, I don’t do blogger awards anymore. But I do believe they serve a valuable purpose, and try to patronize sites that feature them. Thanks, again!
Understood! It is time-consuming, and will probably be my last. 😉
Thank you for the follow! I’ve just begun exploring your site, and I’ll be back.
Thank you, Liz, delighted to hear that. Blessings.
Mitch, I want to thank you for following our blog. We are honored that you would take the time to read our stuff. Please feel free to comment as feedback is the key to success and progress. Again, thank you for following. We thought that you were already following us.
An oversight fixed!
Dear Mitch,
Thanks for stopping by.
Looks like you have been doing this for ages, I’m looking through your posts now with interest.
Keep up the good work!
Frank
Thanks, Frank. Good to meet you!
Thanks for stopping by my page!
My pleasure, Dejah.
Thanks for stopping by my page. I’m enjoying reading your posts!
Hi Mitch,
You won on of the Bible Studies in the Giveaway!
Please go to my contact page and send me an email with your address in it and I will mail it out to you!
Thanks,
Valerie
Wow! Thanks, Valerie!
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I enjoyed this glimpse into what made the man, Mitch. Thanks for sharing this story. ♥.
Oops. Meant to put this comment here: https://mitchteemley.com/2019/06/17/only-one-life-2/ I wrote a much-too-long response ^ there but decided it was too personal. Deleted it and went looking for a contact page. Found several other interesting posts (keyword “contact”) but no way to email you. Finally ended up here and posted the shorter response meant for Only One Life. Feel free to delete this! ♥.
Thanks, Niki! teemley@fuse.net
Hey, refreshing space here. Love that you are honest, and real. And creative! I’m back to blogging after a bit, love writing the short meaningful story (been in Christian broadcast and slum work, and some:) somewhere the writer in me got knocked out. Maybe I’ll start again. God bless you for being His lighthouse.
Thank you, Ray, and God bless you in your rediscovery of that storytelling gift.
Owwwww I’ve begun actually. Thoroughly enjoyed writing ‘Hostage’
Thankyou for your beautiful inspiring work
Looks quite unique and interesting. Overall a great attempt.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and commenting on my blog. Happy New Year!
You too, Chad!
Hi! I just went through this and I must say, you’ve put a lot of work into what you’re doing and it’s great!. Your bio really encouraged me and I can’t wait to read more. X
Hi Tegaah, so pleased to have encouraged you. Looking forward to getting to know you.
Thanks for dropping by and liking one of my posts, Mitch! Reading your stuff is really inspiring! You’re an old hat at this and most definitely know what you are doing! Great job! I am just beginning to allow myself to be vulnerable enough to allow others to read my words.
Blessings!
Thank you. Press on!
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