Dennis D Montoya

Seven Days at Sea: Forged in Salt and Sky

From a 2 a.m. wake-up to a penthouse tub with a skyline view, Day 0 was all nerves, laughter, and anticipation — the calm before the ship set sail.

An Alaska Cruise, a Snakeskin Hat, and the Rock Star We Didn’t Recognize

We spent an Alaskan cruise whispering jokes about the guy in the snakeskin hat acting like he was famous. Spoiler: he was Bret Michaels.

The Resting Irritated Face

I caught my reflection mid-thought the other day — jaw tight, eyebrows furrowed, eyes narrowed like I was interrogating my own mirror. Classic resting-bitch face. The truth? I was just trying to remember the word metaphor. I’ve been told I look angry when I think. Not passionate or focused — angry. I blame the eyebrows. They’re thick, serious things. Left untrimmed, they could probably claim diplomatic status. When they furrow, I go from approachable to “you’ve disappointed the council” in half a second.

January 1, 2026

Every year around this time, I’m reminded that New Year’s Day has excellent branding. It convinces us that one night of fireworks and bad sleep is enough to reset an entire life. That clarity will arrive with the calendar flip. That motivation will follow shortly after the coffee. Somewhere between breakfast and noon, gym membershipsContinue reading “January 1, 2026”

The Polar Bear Plunge!

A split-second of panic, a ten-foot drop into 39.9°F water, and a lesson I didn’t know I still needed.
My first Polar Bear Plunge didn’t just steal my breath — it reminded me what resilience really feels like.

Pedal Optional: The Rise of the Electric “Bike”

I wanted exercise. I found technology. Somewhere between sweat and smugness lies the modern commuter’s dilemma — a place where effort meets innovation, and maybe, just maybe, a little bit of magic.

An Old Light, Still Burning, for Altruism

For centuries, faith and science walked hand in hand. Monks brewed beer with chemist’s precision. Sisters ran hospitals when no one else could. And somewhere between a prayer and a telescope, humanity learned how to ask questions that mattered.
This essay isn’t about religion. It’s about curiosity — about how devotion once meant studying the world, and how maybe, in a new form, it still can.

⚔️ Chronicles of the Workweek

An accidental saga of caffeine and camaraderie — how a few weekday texts between friends turned into an epic quest for survival, humor, and the last pot of coffee.

Holiday Traditions

A few years ago, I joked about volunteering at the food bank—and then felt guilty for not meaning it. Since then, I’ve learned that giving back can take many forms. This holiday season, I raise a glass to friends, family, and the small ways we make a difference.

Autumn Update: The Work Between the Lines

I’ve always believed the real work of writing happens quietly — in the revisions no one sees, in the long stretches between inspiration and completion. Lately, my days have been full of that kind of work. I’m deep into the next phase of The Witch’s Mandate, carefully moving through my editor’s notes and finding new layersContinue reading “Autumn Update: The Work Between the Lines”