In this time when the anti-Christ seems to rule the United States, and when heartless terrorists and politicians victimize our most innocent of beings, human and animal, it can be difficult to feel the miracle of life that is constantly Read more…
I am feeling a little challenged this morning. The challenge comes from being fully present for a married couple we have known and loved for a generation. A “two months to live” diagnosis for the husband, coupled with the Read more…
. The intersection of family history and a birth in November of 1955 has created some interesting, and, at times, amazing stories for me. My Uncle Worth died in February of 1955, 9 months in advance of my own birth. Read more…
As I lie here on our driveway, and pet and caress our cat Patches, I marvel at the mystery of love and connection, and the diversity of life that expresses it, each in its own unique way. I also reflect Read more…
I never knew what I was getting involved with when I offered to you all of my heart in friendship this year, having withheld so much of myself over the years. 2017 was the year when I finally learned how Read more…
“As you have been with me in life, so I will be with you in death.” I “heard” this statement in my heart, and whispered it to Marty’s body at his graveside service Saturday morning, with Jo and Jim Read more…
I have had the privilege and challenge of going through and sorting a lifetime worth of writings and papers from my parents, and from myself. After reading some of my mother’s personal writings, I was struck by the pain that Read more…
I have had an anxiety reaction recently. This is difficult to talk about, as I have always considered myself such a “together” person, especially since I began conscientiously practicing recovery from alcoholism in 1987. Right now, I have a tight Read more…
Merry Christmas to all, and may we all have a more enlightened New Year, sans TREASON (Trump Related Extreme Anxiety Striking Our Nation). What can I say that has not already been said? A selfish, spiritually and socially corrupt, dangerous, Read more…
NRA and the politicians who do not act to reduce the proliferation of automatic weapons are sponsors of national terrorism. Just how many automatic weapons does it take to make America’s gun owners feel safe? It is just that Read more…
NRA (No Reasonable Alternatives) How much is enough, American male? This article, though not quite up to date, carries some painful truths about masculinity, entrenched power, the #metoo movement, and gun violence. Our national disgrace seems to arise from Toxic Read more…
It was June 22, 1987, and I was hiking up to Larch Mountain, a beautiful peak that overlooks the Columbia River valley. From its elevated vantage point it oversees all of the major mountain peaks of the area. In the Read more…
Death is a short-term, medium term, and an eternity event. The sense of loss at losing my ability to walk, to run, to bike, to participate in group activities, to get up off of the couch without worrying about permanently Read more…
I am serving up a little vitriolic monologue today. “Dirt” bags come in many forms, and not all are attached to vacuum cleaners. Rep. Nunes certainly has earned the Dirt-Bag Award of the Year, so far. An informed observer Read more…
Please Ignore, if you must, listen with your heart, if you can trust! Our POTU$ has unleashed more hatred and anxiety than any president in recent memory. Congratulations to the Commander of Thieves (oops, I think that I mean Commander-in-Chief). Read more…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYlwF0jP5-w&feature=share Remember those late night television commercials in the 1960’s and 1970’s, where Tom Peterson would come on the air, and knock on the inside of the screen of our TV’s, yelling “WAKE UP! WAKE UP!!” ? This is John Read more…
I was asked on my birthday in 2017 what my most “memorable” birthday was, and here, to the best of my recollection, is an account of the near death experience.. I was 21 years old, and my best friend Read more…
We visited Mom and Dad’s grave site today for the first time since dad’s death. (Rocky and Peaches are buried with them, too). One of Dad’s favorite expressions about people who get ignored, rejected or neglected was that “he got Read more…
I first met Marie Schmidt, a diminutive old woman in her late eighties, in July of 1987. She hosted a weekly meeting at the downtown YWCA, which she played one hour tapes every Sunday, since 1961. I had seen a Read more…
This story is a thumbnail sketch of my relationship with Randy, and with the recovery process from the human condition, including my suffering, isolation, insanity, loneliness, and ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ADDICTION). Friends and family, there is nothing new here, so Read more…