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

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Friday, May 3, 2019

ATTEMPT AT FICTION INSTEAD OF CROCHETING

OLD SONGS, NEW VIBES -- revised 5-4 “Once in a while, won’t you give one little thought to me, though someone else may be nearer your heart? I know that I’d be contented with yesterday’s memories knowing you think of me once in a while.” Jeri sat alone at the end of the bar where she could keep an... Sign in to see full entry.

Thursday, May 2, 2019

ON ASSIGNMENT

In 1979-80 I worked 20 hours a week for a local weekly—the Bethalto American. The managing editor of the American and three other Weekly Journals had been in a creative writing class I’d signed up for. About midway through the term, after we’d all had some of our writing workshopped, I asked the... Sign in to see full entry.

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

A SHORT POEM

TO THE POLAR EXPLORER When you sleep cocooned in your down bag in your tent in the Arctic wastes where nothing grows do you dream yourself walking barefoot on a warm beach where breezes are perfumed and there’s a tranquil surf? Or, from that blank wasteland does your dreaming mind carry you to a... Sign in to see full entry.

Tuesday, April 30, 2019

THE GREAT RACE, ELDER VERSION

It’s not the Boston Marathon or the Indianapolis 500, not the Kentucky Derby or the triple crown. For those of us who are “enjoying our sunset years,” the great race is that hurried senior shuffle to the nearest toilet when the gut decides to express itself at an inconvenient time. Bad enough we... Sign in to see full entry.

Sunday, April 28, 2019

The Landscaper's Sermon

About ten days ago I noticed a kid and his dad mowing and cleaning up leaves from next door. The renters had moved a couple weeks earlier, and I'm guessing the guy who owns the house is doing a spring cleanup so he can rent it out again. I asked if they'd have time to rake up the remaining leaves on... Sign in to see full entry.

Saturday, April 27, 2019

EQUALITY ???

There’s a story in the news – maybe two or three stories – every day about the struggle for equality. It’s not that people – women – expect to BE the equal of men. They just want to be treated with equal consideration under the law. (There are other struggles by other social groups, but the focus... Sign in to see full entry.

Friday, April 26, 2019

OFF THE GRID

IN THE WESTERN CASCADE FOOTHILLS Salkum is a Native word – I believe the original residents were of the Salish tribe, but have not researched the particulars. I know there were Salish people still living in the area in the late 1940s when our family took refuge there. I soaked in the natural beauty... Sign in to see full entry.

Thursday, April 25, 2019

EARWORMS & LEFT TURNS

“Oh, where have you been, Billy Boy, Billy Boy? Oh, where have you been, charming Billy? I have been to seek a wife, she’s the joy of my life, She’s a young thing, and cannot leave her mother.” As I was measuring coffee into the pot this a.m. I kept hearing this song in my head. Dunno why it’s... Sign in to see full entry.

Wednesday, April 24, 2019

OVERHEARD: TUESDAY AT THE CENTER

Bill: Did you hear about what happened at Emmanuel church on Friday? Joe: You mean the fight? Bill: Yeah. Joe: I heard they had to call the cops because two couples got into fistfights. Bill: That’s true. Weird, huh? The church puts free food on the table and the idiots bring their crap right into... Sign in to see full entry.

Tuesday, April 23, 2019

ONLY A GAME: KLONDIKE ON THE COMPUTER

SOLITAIRE The game works to keep the outer level of attention occupied with ‘nothing’ while the inner self traces memories or comes up with random thoughts, plot lines, character studies or the answers to old puzzles. I’m looking at the screen – thinking about the numbers. How comforting it must be... Sign in to see full entry.

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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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