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HARD LIVING ON PURPOSE

Hard living is something to avoid, most of the time. I’ve heard it said at funerals: “They had a hard life.” And it’s true, but is it avoidable?

BAD THERAPY ON BOOK TV

A book called Bad Therapy on c-span? I’m watching. When is the best time to watch Book TV? Trick question: Any time is the best time. Extra points for tuning in while lifting weights in the garage. You’ll be lucky to find this episode:

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.

COMPARISON CULTURE: BETTER THAN WHAT?

Comparison culture didn’t start with social media, but that’s where it found fertile ground. Baby Boomers and every generation before, all had the same comparison: My Dad is better than your dad. What comes after that? Maybe a fight.

LIVING LARGE? WHAT’S THE SECRET

Living large usually means more than drawing a breath. Most people compare themselves to others for reference. Not me. My large living is no secret:

MIDNIGHT TRAIN GOING ANYWHERE?

The midnight train is always going somewhere. You and I? Not so much. Oh, we’re going somewhere, too, but we don’t know where that is. And we’re not supposed to.

COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN

If a writer isn’t complaining, what are the other options? After a quick look since I came up with nothing, it’s praise. Praising. But we’re not used to praising. That needs to change.

DOWNTOWN PORTLAND OREGON ON A FAMILY SATURDAY NIGHT

Traveling to downtown Portland for a visit, for a look-around? But you’ve seen the news, the tents, the drugs, the crime. So have I. It’s a red flag, but not this time. We took a chance to claim, or reclaim, the Rose City as our own.

TRAVEL SCHEDULE? KEEP IT FLEXIBLE

A travel schedule works right up until it doesn’t. You get to the airport early only to find out the plane is late, the gate has changed, and it took a minute to lose your boarding pass. Still, you remain calm and collected and make plans to overcome problems, just like real life. But travel […]

FAMILY HISTORY: DIVE IN THE WATER’S FINE

Family history has it that my wife’s Grandfather was in Dunkirk in 1940 and her Dad sailed with the Arctic convoys bringing supplies to Russia. One was in the English Army, the other the Royal Navy. Who knew? What happened to Grandpa after Dunkirk? We know Dad found his true love in Bath, England and […]