Category: Music

Sexual Assault Then and Now

Sexual assault is different now than it was before. Joe Biden, the Democrat's presumptive nominee to challenge Donald Trump for president of the United States, has been accused by Tara Reade, a former staffer, of sexually assaulting her in 1993. My argument is that, that was then and this is now. Things have changed. I … Continue reading Sexual Assault Then and Now →

Gone but not forgotten

Gone but not forgotten is singer songwriter John Prine. He died Tuesday of the virus. He was seventy-three and in poor health. I was introduced to John Prine's music in the early 70's by my neighbor, friend, and drinking buddy, Mike. Mike was a Vietnam vet and a postal worker - as was Prine, a … Continue reading Gone but not forgotten →

Social distancing

And then what happened is a long story. Fictionalized in my novels. For me: With and without periods of social isolation, contact, and psychoanalysis. It all depends upon this (what is) and what is not. And who. I'm digging this social distancing. Less traffic. Less confusion. Just that (social contact) which is necessary. What is necessary … Continue reading Social distancing →

Relief day

Relief day, Wednesday 25 March, 2020. Even the Magpies know it! It's been exactly two weeks (Wednesday, 11 March, 2020) since doomsday. That was the day "When The World Stops", according to Time magazine's "Special Report: COVID-19" (vol.195.no 11.2020). Errg. My mood has never been this high (8.5 on my mood scale), since I can't remember … Continue reading Relief day →

The Foke Woke, part II

This note's for for you Elizabeth Warren, and all the rest of you Foke Woke. Neil Young's  song This note's for you, on his 1988 album "Neil Young and the Blue Notes", mocks pretension. Which, I have to say, defines the Foke Woke population. The song takes dead aim at the advertising industry and corporations. Moreover, … Continue reading The Foke Woke, part II →

The Magpie Cafe, part II

Yesterday, two days after Valentine's Day, I walked when the weather had warmed. The usual - past the site of the future Magpie Cafe - and lo, the birds had begun nesting behavior - repairing winter damage, preening and posing, chatting, and yes - kissing. Call me crazy for asking, but how do they know? The … Continue reading The Magpie Cafe, part II →

Snowbound, screens, & self care

On the cusp of the New Hampshire primary, here in Colorado I've been snowbound. It has snowed six of the last eight days. Back-in-the-day (forty-nine years ago to the day), such a barrage of snow would not have fazed me. In fact it would have invigorated me. Then, I was living in a cabin in … Continue reading Snowbound, screens, & self care →

The Magpie Cafe

The Magpie Cafe is a dream. Ever since I began working in the restaurant industry some fifty years ago - I've imagined having a cafe that integrated where I lived with that which I love. Mostly, of all things - I love people and conversation, good food and spirits, music, wood and wild country. So … Continue reading The Magpie Cafe →