Life in the fast lane--where's the on ramp?

By Pat_B - About Me - E-mail this page - Add to My Favorites - Add to Blog List - See other blogs in Journal

Saturday, June 6, 2026

Emerging Writers Competition

Attention all Writers! The 22nd annual Illinois Emerging Writers Competition, named in honor of the late Pulitzer Prize-winning Illinois and U.S. Poet Laureate Gwendolyn Brooks, and is co- sponsored by the Illinois State Library’s Illinois Center for the Book and Illinois Poet Laureate. The... Sign in to see full entry.

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Monday, June 1, 2026

THE FRONTYARD SQUIRRELS (seen while enjoying coffee on the porch):

The great squirrel circus is in town: A high-wire act, tumblers, acrobats and more - five, (count 'em - five) bushy-tailed young squirrels, darting and dashing up the tree trunk, across the gap to another tree, one hiding under a clump of leaves while the others search and scramble. Then comes an... Sign in to see full entry.

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Sunday, May 31, 2026

Wish I'd Thought of It Sooner...

Online I found an image of a rustic outhouse toilet, intending to label it "The Donald J. Trump Center for Advanced Political Studies." But the copy & paste tool wasn't working for me. Just now I realized I totally missed a golden opportunity ten days ago, when the Johnny-on-the-Spot truck unloaded... Sign in to see full entry.

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Friday, May 29, 2026

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

This is to confirm the reservation made on your behalf by your former wife -- for a central accommodation with ultra-intense sensory experiences. Please be advised no response is necessary. The hot spot at the center is available at your earliest convenience. Sincerely, Reservations Manager, Hades Sign in to see full entry.

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Thursday, May 28, 2026

LEARNING TO SHOP:

When I worked at the phone company in Seattle, 1953-1954, it was a completely different world from life in the village of Salkum. From Salkum we traveled 30 miles to Centralia where there were locally owned clothing stores and a Ben Franklin's - also known as the five and dime store. But there was... Sign in to see full entry.

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Monday, May 25, 2026

Thank you...

I'm thankful today as I was many years ago for my father (U.S. Navy - ship's gunner on an aircraft carrier, WWII) my big brother John (seaman, combatant on a battleship), brother-in-law J.R, (also on a battleship), my U.S. Marine cousin Bob who couldn't wait to get to the front, his brother Del who... Sign in to see full entry.

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Sunday, May 24, 2026

IT'S SHRINKING

Lately I've noticed my mind starts to wander, my finger reaches for the 'next' button on the TV remote after a conversation about some news event or social media post goes beyond about two minutes -- especially if what's coming across the boob tube is speculation and not just the facts. Even though... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Pat_B at 8:49 AM | add or view comments (5) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Saturday, May 23, 2026

POLITICS -- ICK!

I want to hear James Taylor singing "Fire and Rain." I want to watch a baseball game, and see the Cardinals reach the World Series this year. I want to find bargains at Walmart, munch on freeze-dried apple slices and focus on the Game Show network. I do NOT want to read about or see video interviews... Sign in to see full entry.

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Thursday, May 21, 2026

Waltzing Matilda

Way back when, our music teacher decided to bring a little culture into the classroom and teach us a thing or two about the songs and customs of a whole 'nother culture: Australia. In those days I thought I'd like to go there, see the Outback for myself, get a look at real kangaroos in their natural... Sign in to see full entry.

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Monday, May 18, 2026

THE VIEW

It's a daily morning talk show on ABC - a panel of 4 women chaired by Whoopi Goldberg. She is the one bright spot on the agenda -- able to present the day's topic and some background with dignity and attention to the facts. If I could say the same for the panelists, it would be must-see TV. But the... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Pat_B at 9:46 AM | add or view comments (4) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

About this Blog

Sometimes you have to write it down in order to learn what you really think about life, what it means, how to do what's best. Sometimes you need feedback from someone else to put things in perspective.

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