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PAIN TOLERANCE STARTS WITH A THRESHOLD

Pain tolerance is a measure of how much pain you can take before tapping out. The pain threshold is when you start feeling pain. Who knew? Let’s start there.

FATHER FLAG ON MEMORIAL DAY

My father flag is different than the flag shown at public gatherings. His flag was a country boy’s flag, an athlete’s flag, a Silver Star Marine’s flag. This Memorial Day I thought of him while I raised the flag. For me he is the reason for Memorial Day.

TRAGIC BOY FOR TRAGIC TIMES: VANKA

One tragic boy cannot stand in for all tragic children, but Anton Chekhov makes it happen. News of some kid with bad intentions gunning a classroom creates tragedy beyond believe. Again. Chekhov cuts to the quick with Vanka.

AGING MUSIC FOR COUPLES TO GROW OLD BY

I first heard aging music from the Beatles. When I’m Sixty-Four came out when I was thirteen. Why would a young band contemplate being 64 years old? It seemed weird. Until I turned sixty-four.

WAITING FOR THE RIGHT TIME

My Dad was waiting for the right time to make better relationships just before he died. He was good with his boys, his one regret was his daughter. After his divorce from my Mom he expected changes. But he felt everything would straighten out in the long run.

MOVING FORWARD SLOWLY, BUT MOVING

If the plan is moving forward, it’s fair to ask, “Moving forward from what?” I was in traffic and saw a 1964 Ford Galaxy. That’s it in the image. Spoiler: It was yesterday, not 1964, though I was a robust ten year old back then. By the time I was in high school the same […]

VOTER DOG SAYS LET’S VOTE

Read the voting material, find your people, and vote for them. Why do you make me pull you to vote? Voter Dog says, “Let’s go.”

OREGON PRIMARY LISTENING FOR MILLENNIAL ROAR

Tuesday is election day for the Oregon Primary. But you already knew that. No? Now you do. Out here in the real west, not some landlocked desert version of ‘out west’ in states like Idaho, or Utah, or Arizona, we drag ourselves to the table, pick up a black or blue ink pen, open the […]

RETIREMENT REDUCTION: TO TRASH OR NOT TO TRASH

Retirement Reduction is the new code for dumping stuff. You’ve heard it, I’ve heard it: “Baby boomers need to downsize and stop hoarding.” Has anyone figured out what to toss and what to keep? Discover is here to help, or try to help. It’s as funny as it is helpful.

TUMOR REPORT: MIKE KELLY GETS THE COOKIE

A tumor report is what you get if you find a tumor. Mike Kelly found one the hard way: I was having trouble finding words, getting them out of my mouth and, to top it all off, I had an episode Sunday night — while we were watching “Call the Midwife” — where I could […]