Blown Away

This car needs that repair; travel costs for Dad; payment due for this kid's trip; the other car needs another repair; doctor visit; dentist visit; university application fees; chimney sweep; gutter cleaning; the third car needs a different repair; discount club membership due; gas, water, electric, cable, phone; fourth car needs same repair as first... Continue Reading →

Anchor chains, plane motors, and train whistles

Do you know that scene in It's A Wonderful Life where George, having attended the last S&L board meeting after his father's death, delivers a rousing "f*ck you" to Mr. Potter and storms out? As he's turning to leave for his delayed freshman year of college, hat tilted determinedly over one eye, Uncle Billy stops... Continue Reading →

Up For Air

I am not working today, first day in two weeks. I'm home, the kids are all home, and we're going to sit down to my wife's spectacular Thanksgiving dinner in a few hours. Right now the smells of turkey and dressing are wafting through the air, and we'll get a fire going in the fireplace... Continue Reading →

Pulling up Stakes

I'm in my garden clearing out structures so the park district can till the plant matter back into the soil. The ground will wait over the long winter, chewing up vines and leaves and dead bugs and turning them into soft, dark loam. Physical work forces my brain to examine the latest events in my... Continue Reading →

Getting Things Done

A member of the brood had a sort-of minor semi-meltdown over this last weekend. The disheartening task of choosing and applying to universities was too much for them, and we had some tears. Didn't last long, but it was a good time for a little wisdom from the evil-awful parents. I can't take credit for... Continue Reading →

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