I went out of my way the other day. I needed to get a simple blood test for an upcoming physical. I could have stopped at any number of labs and testing sites. However, I made a special effort to visit one particular lab. A reason for my madness! --I didn't go for the location.... Continue Reading →
Live like you’re dying
(I first wrote this piece in November 2019. It still applies today.) The dentist came into the room with a copy of my x-ray in his hand. He gave me a big smile, that actually made me more nervous than calm, and went out of his way to promote the benefits of the practice’s 360-degree... Continue Reading →
Waving a white handkerchief!
I have a tendency to lose things. I hate that feeling of needing to pull out my wallet and finding that it's missing. "Damn it, where did I put it now." To avoid that feeling, I try to put my keys, wallet, change, and phone in the same place each night. I put them in... Continue Reading →
Falling out of the sky
I stepped outside the other day and looked up into a bluish-gray sky. The temperature had dropped a few degrees and I needed to zip up my jacket to keep the chill out. I was shocked to find a few things falling to the ground. It wasn't rain, snow or hail. It wasn't a bird... Continue Reading →
The will of the river
A river charts its own path. Like the wind whipping through a valley, rivers go where they want to go. I couldn’t help but notice that the river I was admiring the other took hard right turn. It seemed to almost backtrack. I thought right away of the folksy movie Fried Green Tomatoes. In the movie, Buddy... Continue Reading →
Bears? Zombies? Prepared for anything
The sun is starting to set. There are dark shadows everywhere making it hard to see. I'm out for a quick run. My senses are on high alert. I see the guy walking towards me. I size him up. He's wearing a hoodie. But his jeans are baggie and falling down. He keeps needing to... Continue Reading →
All in a day’s work
When I think back on my dad's heart attack in 1980, I see everything happening in slow motion. My father in a flannel work shirt lying down on the sofa for a nap. My oldest brother rushing to call the local ambulance. My heart pounding with fear of the unknown. The thing that sticks out... Continue Reading →
Standing up to a bully
When I was in middle school, my friends and I were on the football team and raced from class at the other end of the hall to the locker room. We had to get into our football equipment and out onto the field. Our coaches wanted us on time. They didn't want us to be... Continue Reading →
Looking for a hobby
My wife came home the other day exhausted and drained. She works as a special education teacher and the days can sometimes be tough. Her students were especially rambunctious and were in no mood to be pent up all day. They whined and complained and didn't want to listen. She came home with her head... Continue Reading →

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