Lynn Butterfield

2 weeks ago | tooeleonline.com | John Hamilton |Lynn Butterfield

On a rain-sputtered Friday, Andrew and I sat across from each other to have a conversational lunch at Local Lime. It was clear something was furrowing Andrew’s brow. Another indicator that something was bothering him was his deep sigh just before he dipped a crispy tortilla chip into the warm queso stationed between us. “Something on your mind?” I asked, with a quick sideways glance at my friend.

4 weeks ago | tooeleonline.com | John Hamilton |Lynn Butterfield

“I have a question, because I just don’t understand the way this works,” Ricky Porter said uncomfortably. It was hard to get these words out of his mouth, because Ricky is revered for his success and wisdom in a very competitive industry. In fact, he’s one of the people, inside and often outside his firm, that others call regularly for technical expertise. Thursday was one of those days and Ricky received a call from someone who used to be with his firm. “Hi Ricky. I have a question for you.

1 month ago | tooeleonline.com | John Hamilton |Lynn Butterfield

From the moment we walked into the large colonial home, which was embraced by mighty oak trees, my eyes were bouncing from the landscape and house to the painted fingers of the other man in our little group of three. A little voice inside my head kept repeating, “there has to be a story behind this.” I was sure there was. However, I wasn’t sure I wanted to ask a question about painted fingernails. So, I didn’t ask for the first forty or so minutes we were together.

1 month ago | tooeleonline.com | John Hamilton |Lynn Butterfield

“One year ago, I was sitting in my law office, looking out it’s skyscraper window with slumped shoulders. All I did, each day, was argue with other attorneys,” my friend Lane said while standing amidst our gathered group of friends. Lane is, or should I say was, a very successful real estate attorney. He was living in one of America’s largest cities. He had worked hard to obtain his law degree, get hired by a major firm, and finally become a partner in the firm.

1 month ago | tooeleonline.com | John Hamilton |Lynn Butterfield

“He’s never seen snow before,” Larry Garcia said as he and his crew stood in the great-room of the house they were working on. The four workers were standing in a semi-circle and as Larry was speaking he tilted his head slightly to the right to indicate the member of his crew he was referencing. As the words just exited his mouth all four of them began to giggle a little bit. It was the biggest snow storm any of them had encountered. Their giggling sounded as if coming from delighted children.