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

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

STUDY IN CONTRASTS

Lately on the news channels, they've been interviewing doctors, nurses and others who are working the Covid-19 wards and ICU's. Often they fight tears as they talk about the daily grief they face - how they stand in at deathbeds to comfort those whose loved ones are not allowed to hold their hands... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Pat_B at 5:03 AM | add or view comments (4) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Monday, October 26, 2020

NEWS FROM THE CENTER

A few days ago Sara - our director - asked me to check with the writers to see if they'd be interested in meeting in person, wearing masks and meeting in the big room and maintaining the 6' social distance. Only two of the writers responded to my email. One wants to come, the other says no because... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Pat_B at 4:59 AM | add or view comments (9) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Sunday, October 25, 2020

How a writer's mind works sometimes

I spotted this bag of pasta on the shelf at the Good Earth Grocery, a local health food store that I have neglected of late. But I had read an article in "Discover" magazine about a certain combination of helpful bacteria for people with cranky colons, bacteria that also help the brain and make a... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Pat_B at 8:29 AM | add or view comments (6) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Saturday, October 24, 2020

HOUSEWARMING

In July of 1966, Roy and I signed a contract-for-deed arrangement to buy a house on a corner lot just a block away from the university's satellite facility in Edwardsville. We had been turning at that corner for several months on our commute from Alton, and had seen the carpenters and other workers... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Pat_B at 7:32 AM | add or view comments (6) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Friday, October 23, 2020

OUTRIGHT LIES AND ALIBIS

It was bad enough listening to the attack ads, the obvious lies coming from press briefings, the endless pontificating of news analysts. But when endless rehashing comes to my FB page, well, I have a version of the mute button. One post, maybe two, with comments and photos of the pouting, ugly angry... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Pat_B at 4:25 AM | add or view comments (9) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Thursday, October 22, 2020

This n' that

I don't like days when my gut wakes me up at 4:00 in the morning. Yesterday I forgot to have my afternoon drink of Metamucil, a fiber addition to my routine that helps with certain gut issues. I thought about it as I was waiting for the sandman, watching some moving shadows on the bedroom TV, but... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Pat_B at 7:31 AM | add or view comments (10) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

THE LAST DEBATE

Well, they're supposed to go at it one last time before the election. I can't imagine it will be civil, even with the newly installed mute button. Will they stick to a topic? Will we learn anything new? I expect not. It's likely to be another measuring contest between two bull-headed partisans. The... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Pat_B at 7:10 AM | add or view comments (10) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

THE HANDYMAN

While my daughter was here in late September, she asked me about a couple little projects that needed attention, things like replacing the storm door at the back of the house. I said I had called a handyman, he'd given me a bid and then never showed up to do the work. So a week or so ago she told me... Sign in to see full entry.

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Monday, October 19, 2020

OFFICE GAMES

If you read the previous story "Public Service" then you recognize Wesley Cruikshank as one of those handsy-Andy types who were all too common in the workplace, taking advantage of women. The story is based on observations I made on the job in the late '60s early '70s. Mama warned me when I was... Sign in to see full entry.

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Sunday, October 18, 2020

PUBLIC SERVICE, conclusion

And with that, Wesley Cruikshank went into his office, grabbed his hat from the rack, locked the deputy’s keys in his desk and left. On Monday everyone walked on eggs, kept their noses to the grindstone. The only one who applied for the deputy’s position was the widow French. There were formalities... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Pat_B at 8:06 AM | add or view comments (5) | 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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