The second book I read this year is "The Dark Lake" by Sarah Bailey. In her acknowledgements, Ms. Bailey wrote: Writing a book really is such a ridiculous thing to do. So ridiculous that I might just go and do it all over again. Uh, Sarah? That's not necessary. My daughter, Brigid, gave me this …
Continue reading Book Review #2: The Dark Lake (I think there was a lake)
As you know, I moved to a much smaller home about 10 days ago. It is amazing the shit you find when you move. While packing I found a ton, probably not truly 2000 pounds but maybe, of crap I had held on to for years because I was going to make a mosaic, find …
I apologize for being gone for a week or so, I know how you depend on me. I moved it, moved it. This is 901 in 2005: And last week.... The benefit of selling one's house to a builder is that you can leave whatever you want, knowing they are going to throw it all …
While in high school, I read The Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. My teenage self was completely depressed by the sepia-toned trudge through despair depicted in both books. I have not read another Steinbeck book since. A few months ago, my golf partner Lisa told me that it was …
Continue reading Book Review #1: John Steinbeck “Travels with Charley” into Despair, Again
After my divorce, I took a job as a receptionist for an engineering firm. Derwood and I had great benefits because of that job. I was way over-qualified but the four years of that job served its purpose. While at that job I made it very clear that I wanted no part and no recognition …
Continue reading Administrative Professionals and Hollywood Women…Discuss
I didn't have to do anything except gather the plastic bags full of his shirts and pants and socks and underwear and shoes. Bags with books and teddy bears. All he had. I stood in the room with others, including his foster Mom. We just waited watching him weep. Watching a child's heart break. He …
I don't post much anymore and this post is long and it's not funny but I really hope you will read it. I ask you to read it. And share it because it matters not just in Portland, not just in Oregon but throughout the U.S. My mother was a teacher before I was born. …
Some of you may be like me, trapped in an On Demand, Hulu , Netflix cycle of must watch TV that requires a spreadsheet to track schedules, characters and plots; which allows me (and perhaps you) to avoid the news detailing what a mess this country is. The news is typically so dispiriting that I …
Continue reading Constitutionally Speaking: Guns and Religion
Today is Brigid's 16th birthday! It is hard to believe that just four months ago this happened: Brigid was in the back seat behind the driver. Here you can see her car door stuck to the grill of the car that hit them. We were in the hospital for 10 days. Brigid in her …
I'm typing this from Brigid's hospital room. Early Sunday morning, she was in a car going back to her friend's house from a run to McDonalds. A drunk driver blew through a 4 way stop and t-boned the car. Brigid was in the back seat on the driver's side and took the bulk of the …
My parents bought me my first car ever when I was a sophomore or junior in high school, I'd say 1981/82. They spent $750 on a '75 Monte Carlo. It was dark brown with an off-white vinyl hardtop. It was a two door model, each door being approximately 6 feet long and weighing 500 pounds. …
I need to write some Nevis stories before I leave on my next vacation tomorrow morning. Nevis is a very small island. It's NOT a big place. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYtTb23PIAs There is a guy on Nevis who knows everything anyone would ever need to know about Nevis. How do I get an international driver's license? Where is …
Did You Misc. Maggie? 