Tuesday, April 22, 2025
This is a theme for fiction writers, and can lead to a story filled with struggle, a challenge to the prime character's moral fiber, and in the end, a well-earned victory. It's also an experience most humans have in learning to navigate this complicated world, which makes the story relatable. For... Sign in to see full entry.
Monday, April 21, 2025
Movin' On...
The forecast was for extreme weather all weekend, strong winds, dangerous thunder and lightning, heavy rain and possible tornadoes. It wasn't as bad as I expected it to be. Managed to get an Easter lunch with two of my sons on Sunday and spend time with them afterward - this was nice, they're good... Sign in to see full entry.
Saturday, April 19, 2025
DAYS OF OUR BACKYARD SQUIRRELS, the sequel
As I stood at the kitchen window, taking a cautious sip of a fresh-brewed coffee, I noticed a squirrel munching bread scraps I'd put on the back porch rail. But it wasn't just any random fluff-tail. It was White Ears! White Ears, leader of the Brick Street troop! She'd been absent from the Backyard... Sign in to see full entry.
Thursday, April 17, 2025
Earworm
For the last three days I've been hearing verses of "The Piano Man," Billy Joel's musical portrait of Saturday night at the neighborhood bar. They float across my mind any time I'm not focused on something. "Play us a song, you're the piano man, play us a song tonight. For we're all in the mood for... Sign in to see full entry.
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
Old joke:
One day, as I was sitting on the curb, chin in hand and feeling all alone and blue, someone came along and patted me on the shoulder and said "Cheer up. Things could be worse." So, I cheered up. And sure enough, things got worse. -30- Sign in to see full entry.
Monday, April 14, 2025
DIDJA KNOW?
You may not be aware that my hometown is the site of Southern Illinois University's northern campus. Or that Laurie Metcalf, who plays Roseanne's sister Jackie on that long-running sitcom, comes from here. You may know that John Goodman (Dan Conner) is from St. Louis. I worked at SIUE's Alton campus... Sign in to see full entry.
Sunday, April 13, 2025
Groucho Says,
Sign in to see full entry.
Saturday, April 12, 2025
FAKE NEWS!
Son Rusty told me he thought of an April Fool's joke but decided not to post it because, in light of recent actions by the occupant of the White House, some might have mistaken it for fact. THE JOKE: President Trump just issued an executive order that permits other drivers to pass stopped school... Sign in to see full entry.
Thursday, April 10, 2025
INKY
We had a little dog in those days, a miniature toy terrier. She was about one foot high and black as coal, with perky ears and a tail that told you what she was thinking. She was very smart, learned a number of tricks: she'd sit up and beg, yap politely at the door if she wanted to go outside, and... Sign in to see full entry.
Monday, April 7, 2025
VOTING RIGHTS THREAT
I just watched a short vid of a speech made at the Democratic Women's Caucus yesterday, describing an attempt by the GOP House to amend the voting rights for women. The amendment would require women to use the name and gender info from their birth certificate in order to register. Which means the... Sign in to see full entry.