From Friday, April 24th, 2026— In a culmination of the long winter’s wait, I’m getting back at it today. The camp in the woods awaits an influx of crusty humans, none under sixty, some over seventy. Most of the participants are sage members of the Breakfast for Schmucks crowd. The outlier is the boy, probably…
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Commonalities in Loss
Never one to embrace statistics, trends, and themes, I’ve noted one; it weaves its way through the comments on my page. That is, mentions of a loved one’s death. No human can avoid death, whether ours or someone we love. And I don’t mind it being mentioned, especially if it helps you cope. Sometimes I…
Nope
I don’t know what it is. There’s a contingent of humans who believe that if they ask me to speak or write about specifics on the political spectrum, I’ll acquiesce and change my paradigm. To that, I say two things. No. Oh, and isn’t there enough of that available to us? Two emails this week,…
Gas Grill ‘Elliegy’
Sometimes I’m grateful that Ellie is terrified of bad weather—thunder, sure, and wind, definitely. She paces, going from one room to another, most likely trying to find peace. I like to be notified, and she seems attuned to changes in the weather long before they manifest outside my windows and doors. The problem, as you…
Correct Not, Lest Ye Be Corrected
Initial thoughts among the readership may be that I get up early, all spunky and full of vigor. This is not the case. I need a minute or five. Ellie does, too. I find myself waking up to echoes of her whisper groans emitting from the end of my bed; it’s a process. If her…
Toasted Cheese
My Dad’s birthday was last week. It would have slipped away unnoticed, but only because I forget birthdays just like my Dad did when he was here. While that sounds odd, and might indicate there is some sadness or bitterness, there is none; none at all. That’s why my Dad had my Mom. In my…
Branches
The initial wave of retirement arrived in mid-summer of 2022. After stepping away from police work, I spent the rest of that summer completing the septic system at the camp in the woods—a huge undertaking. Not long after, autumn crept in unexpectedly, and before I could fully adjust, winter settled in suddenly, catching me off…
Role Reversal
She’s been home two weeks, but we’ve yet to go out to grab a meal at one of our regular haunts. Since her bags are on the bed, cavernous, preparing to gulp up refolded business attire, shoes, and stuff that ladies use that I do not, I offered a brunch. No one wants to cook,…
Whisker Burns
Missing him, more often after nightfall, sometimes on long drives, or after waking up in a fog from a dream where I hear his voice as clear as if he’s in the living room, gives me pause to take a moment to remember. Just last month, I pulled into the Denny’s parking lot to look…
Friends or Friendships
I’ve unfollowed a couple of excellent creators over the past three weeks. Originally, I followed them because of their skills at writing, building, mechanical know-how, and humor. I knew their views were not mine, but I can overlook that for the sake of sanity. I don’t need to know every detail of what you dislike…