It’s that thing where you read a random quote and you so completely identify with it you say, This is me—I embody these words. This quote tells my story and my state in just one, razor-sharp, spot-on, succinct, nailed-it line. Metaphorically, I slapped this name tag on my New Year’s Eve pajamas by posting it … Read more
Home for Christmas A film that covers three days where scenes are sequenced backward and the story unfolds in reverse, ala “Memento:” Christmas Eve, 2022, we were on the phone with a funeral home making arrangements. The day before that, I was sitting at my dad’s kitchen table playing Rummikub with him when we … Read more
This L.R. Knost quote is a powerful and freeing truth bomb. I’ve lived this way. Not that life had been easy—because it never has been—but noticing beauty had always been easy and routine for me. Underneath a cape, maybe I thought it was a superpower. Now I consider there was perhaps a sort of arrogant … Read more
Surprise Gift on Dispirit Airlines: The Bickertons Sometimes a gift is wrapped in a prickly porcupine. Or a hedgehog. As a rule, I get those two mixed up. Maybe the Bickertons were one of each, which might explain their combative, openly caustic relationship. The Hatfields and McCoys hook up. I was on the aisle, … Read more
But Charlie Brown, it’s Thanksgiving It was a very low moment during our free stay at the Residence Inn by Marriott. The feels: Okay, imagine Lucy and Charlie Brown. Lucy has the football. Charlie Brown wants to trust Lucy. Lucy invariably pulls the cruel gag. I heard the chirp and looked at my phone. … Read more
Patty at the CVS At this point, the front-of-the-store cashier, Patty, had thanked me a least four times for my patience. I have to admit, she seemed impressed. I wanted to tell her that after you bury a child, things like waiting too long in a store are hollow. I wouldn’t say I’m patient, … Read more
The Last Name I whispered it in the theatre, but I needed to raise my volume to correct the actor Patrick Dempsey. We were privileged to see an advance screening of “Ferrari” in Vegas. I did not know the backstory of the Italian race car driver and entrepreneur. I just knew the sight, … Read more
Near Death: Take Away The night preceding the morning I got the phone call that the “end” might be approaching for my dad (we have had other false alarms), John and I just happened to go see the film, “After Death.” Within five minutes of walking through the door at home, returning from the … Read more
Hipsters Didn’t Make Beanies Cool Hipsters didn’t make knit beanies cool, my dad did. Even in the sweltering Central Valley summer heat, as long as I can remember, he wore a beanie. I never thought it was odd. His ensemble of choice was his beanie, white T-shirt, torn blue jeans, and work boots. Yesterday … Read more
The Wide Open I’m getting more and more familiar with riding on Portland’s bikeways—bustling urban streets, whoop-de-do hilly neighborhoods, gravel-sand-dirt-mud, and smooth-ish, paved “protected” bike paths. I see acute angles and vibrant, pulsing juxtapositions. Life as it is. Picturesque rivers and breathtaking, rushing creeks and heartbreaking encampments. My eyes are filled with the sites … Read more