Memorial Day Down By The River

This Memorial Day weekend found me experiencing time travel. In mid-March my long-time friend passed away. His daughter and son decided to have a service for him and his long-time partner on that national day of remembrance. Fitting. The "returning" celebration was held on the land they had lived on for decades. It is land … Continue reading Memorial Day Down By The River

Crazy Love: Depp and Heard

Recently I was asked to recommend five books on any subject of my choosing. I chose Personality. The list was for a new website, Shepherd.com, that aims to rival Goodreads for book lovers. Two books not on the list are Interpersonal Diagnosis and Treatment of Personality Disorders and Crazy Love: Dealing With your Partner's Problem Personality. … Continue reading Crazy Love: Depp and Heard

The Call Of The Wild

is my calling. As well as a classic novel by Jack London. It was first published in 1903, and became the most read book of its time. The book made London rich and famous. I first read it in 1972, living in a cabin on the Poudre River. However, I likely read "To Build A … Continue reading The Call Of The Wild

Birthdays

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

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

Time Fades Away: My Life’s Soundtrack

Recently a reader, and a friend, asked me, "What's your favorite Neil Young album?" Because we were talking music. Something we like to do. However, we're 36 years apart in age. That fact doesn't matter though, because he's really into Rock music and its cultural influence on America. Moreover, I was there from its inception, … Continue reading Time Fades Away: My Life’s Soundtrack

Baseball 2020: Fall Frenzy

I was skeptical when major league baseball announced its plan to play a sixty game "regular" season and then the "Fall Frenzy" playoff format. Really, I thought. What with all the craziness of 2020 - Who cares?. The season began July 23rd, with the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers being featured on ESPN. Because … Continue reading Baseball 2020: Fall Frenzy

Living at the Edge of the World: Homeless

Living at the Edge of the World is a story about a young girl who lived underground (mostly) for five years, in New York City, from 1986 to 1990. In her own words (mostly) with the help of journalist, Jamie Pastor Bolnick. President Donald Trump recently said he wants to put a woman on the moon … Continue reading Living at the Edge of the World: Homeless

Love, lighthouses, and leaf blowers

CHAPTER 20 (love) “Hello, Bobbie, how are ya?” “Well, thank you.” I sat on the sofa, and Bobbie moved from behind her desk with her yellow legal pad in hand. She sat down in the straight-backed chair. “Let’s see, did you come today with a goal in mind that we can work towards?” “Actually … … Continue reading Love, lighthouses, and leaf blowers

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