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GIVING THANKS TO CAREFUL READERS

Giving thanks for anything is a good idea. It only gets funky when you try to work it into something else, like the opposite of thanks. Would that be irony? But a sweet thank-you is not the same as a hearty F-you. All cleared up?

GIVING UP THE FIRST TIME

I don’t remember giving up, quitting, rising the white flag. But here we are, and I’m not alone. There’s the rocking chair, the TV, the food delivery. As long as everything lasts, why not rot away quietly? Why not? Here’s why not with Kurt Vonnegut:

SHAPE UP. THEN WHAT?

Shape up. I’ve told myself that more than once. I’ve also looked at others and said the same thing. To myself. Most of the time.

THE NEW THING vs OLD THING

My new thing is blogging like I’ve never blogged before and calling myself a writer. “So what do you do?” “I’m a blogger.” “No, I mean what do you really do?”

LETTING IT FLY? WHERE ARE THE WINGS

‘Letting it fly’ is another way of saying, ‘Is that all you’ve got?’ One of my goals in life is not backing down to fear. Am I afraid of a famous tea room? Yes, but I let it fly. How did I get over this unreasonable fear? I had help.

YOU WANT ME TO WANT TO?

In Patrick DeWitt’s novel French Exit, the mom asks her thirty-two year old son to get something for her. “Please bring me my cup.” “I will if you want me to.” “I want you to want to.” And he obeys. So I ask . . .

INTERNET SHOWTIME SATURDAY WITH A SIDE OF HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

I’m a big fan of internet showtime, the daily scroll. But I keep it simple. I’m not looking for verification, authentication, or validation. Not looking for lawyers, guns, or money. What I’m looking for is attention grabbing posts, videos, and stories. Make me pause. Is that asking for too much?

THE NON-BLOG BLOG REPORT

One of my non-blog blog readers had something to say, which is nice. They liked the travel posts from England better than the current production. We ended with a promise to get together and share half-lies, speculation, and innuendo. I like the plan because I like good readers with a lively opinion.

BLOGGER’S ROLE? IT DEPENDS ON . . . ?

The blogger’s role depends on context. And money. If someone offered you $25,000 per post, and they give suggestions? Come on, you’d listen, I’d listen. Who wouldn’t listen? But who would start writing?

HIGH TEMPERATURE TUNED IN, NOW TURN IT DOWN

High temperature during a heat wave is no one’s idea of a good time. Who says, “It’s not hot enough,” during a heat wave? You’ve heard it before: “It’s hot, yes, but not that hot.” Who says that?