Today is my brother's 74th birthday. That's him, upper right. That's me upper left. The year was 1984. That's our father with the stovepipe hat and fake mustache. Also in the picture are our wives and children (including my two step-children). We're all 37 years older, except for our mother and father. They're diseased. There … Continue reading Birthdays
Category: family
Father’s Day: five years later
Does it get any easier - the loss of the father? Short answer: no. Father's Day is a commercial ploy to make money. These days, what isn't? Nevertheless, the father is important. Because without him none of us would be here. My father was both a complicated and simple man. Simple because he was basically what a … Continue reading Father’s Day: five years later
Creeping Toward Oblivion
is what I'm doing. All of us are (even the 1%). We resist and seek relief - honestly or dishonestly. Knowingly or unknowingly, consciously or unconsciously. We do this passively or actively via self-promotion with the goal being self-preservation. The Avenue or path, or road, are many. And our unique journey will vary. It could … Continue reading Creeping Toward Oblivion
The Indie Bookstore. Part IV
Bookstore Adventure is what an Independent Bookstore really is. Now, I'm not talking about those huge, famous ones like The Tattered Cover in Denver, Powell's in Portland, or Politics and Prose in DC. Because they are almost like the corporate Barnes and Noble. But even those pale in comparison to what Amazon can offer. Recall … Continue reading The Indie Bookstore. Part IV
Unemployment, skills, & the résumé
During this time of "shelter-in-place" and forced unemployment, why not take advantage and reflect upon your skills? And, prepare a résumé? Start sending them out, because this will end, and you'll want to "hit-the-ground-running". This is a great opportunity to reflect and refocus. Trust me. Phases and stages of life (according to me; and this will make … Continue reading Unemployment, skills, & the résumé
Books, bookstores, and bookshelves
Books, bookstores, and bookshelves could certainly be a book in itself. So where and when to begin? I may be the foremost expert on the subject. Because in my life I have been a reader, builder, seller, writer, and teacher - all at a high level. When I was three my father would read to … Continue reading Books, bookstores, and bookshelves
Triggered. This might hurt.
Triggered: How the Left Thrives on Hate and Wants to Silence Us, is Donald Trump Jr.'s story. It's also mine. Because not only does the book tell his story from his perspective, but in doing that it accounts for what happened to me as I told the same story, from my perspective--an outside, independent observer … Continue reading Triggered. This might hurt.
Christmas comforts me
"It's coming on Christmas, They're cuttin' down trees, They're putting up reindeer, And singing songs of joy and peace", are lyrics from 1971, Joni Mitchell's famous song "River". It's the third track on the second side of her even more famous album Blue. The picture above shows my record, an original and constant companion, as well … Continue reading Christmas comforts me
Music: my love affair with
As I write this I'm listening to a playlist, "Top songs of 2019", complied by the streaming music service Spotify, emailed to me with the hook "Here's your year in music" and I couldn't resist. It said I listened to 726 songs. I'm also drinking, not down at the bar, but at my desk. Because … Continue reading Music: my love affair with
Set yourself free
The author, Mark Edward Jabbour, age nineteen, crossing East Maroon Creek, fifty years ago today. It was August of 1969 and I was camped on the east fork, across the water from the paved road, via my 1946 Willy's Jeep. I was spear fishing wild trout. It was summer break between my freshman and sophomore … Continue reading Set yourself free