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

Health & Well-Being Inventory

The Health & Well-Being Inventory is an assessment tool to quantify the health and well-being of an individual in comparison to their nation. I break down "health" into six categories: physical, mental, psychological, emotional, social, and economic. An individual, or nation, is scored using a typical five-letter grading system - A to F. An A … Continue reading Health & Well-Being Inventory

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