Shop Class

I was required to take shop class in high school – wood shop, metal shop, and basic mechanical drawing. At the time, I wondered what use it would be to me, because even then there was talk about the coming “knowledge economy.” I had a guidance counsellor who told me that I wouldn’t need to … Continue reading Shop Class →

Honor

Recently a family of mountain lions killed a woman in Colorado. It was the first such attack there in 25 years. Generally, mountain lions keep their distance from humans unless provoked or unless their young are threatened. That’s the norm. But whenever one develops a taste for human blood, it must be hunted and either … Continue reading Honor →

Stories Run Wild

Ursula Le Guin referred to works of fiction as thought experiments. Her concept fits my attempts to tell stories. Le Guin also suggested that all fiction is metaphorical. It seems to me science fiction is often an allegory about “real life,” whatever that is. Much like geometric proof, science fiction postulates possible outcomes, based on … Continue reading Stories Run Wild →

Birthday 71

Long ago, I realized that part of life would be managing my expectations. If I expected too much, I would likely be dissatisfied. If I expected a little, but received more, I would likely be pleased. I recall the story of the ill-clad, hungry man on a cold, rainy night. By chance, he stumbled upon … Continue reading Birthday 71 →

A Taste of Home

I sold our family home in 2022. Dad was 93 years old and decided it was time to move to assisted living. It was not an easy process. First, we had to clear out the contents. Fortunately, we found an estate sale expert who facilitated the end game. Then I had to complete a disclosure … Continue reading A Taste of Home →

On Christmas

Links to Christmas stories and personal reflections. An Advent Meditation – The importance of silence in the Christmas season. A Christmas Meditation – Thoughts on the Christmas Story. A Christmas in Time – An internet-obsessed man is transported back in time to be a character in the Christmas story. Epiphanies – A grandfather shares a … Continue reading On Christmas →

What is Love?

Paul was getting married. He was engaged to Mary, who was obviously able to put up with Paul’s quirks and antics – at least according to Jim, Paul’s best friend. Paul invited Jim to the wedding to support him on his joyous day. Jim had never attended a Quaker wedding, much less a Quaker service, … Continue reading What is Love? →

Ode to Joy

Here are some of the things that bring me Joy. Being with my wife. Chocolate Chip Cookies. Coming home. Completing a project. Dogs. Doing my best. Eating a good meal. Having a good conversation. Hearing a good joke. Helping someone. Kittens. Listening to good music. Peanut butter. Pizza. Playing trumpet. Pretzels. Puppies. Reading. Seeing people … Continue reading Ode to Joy →

The Peace Pipe

“This will give you peace of mind,” the ad said. “What is peace of mind, anyhow,” Mort wondered. Every automobile and appliance Mort had purchased ended up disappointing him, even the expensive ones. To Mort, the saying, “you get what you pay for,” usually meant that paying more only bought more headaches, more hassle, more … Continue reading The Peace Pipe →

Hope Chest

Not that long ago, a hope chest was a piece of furniture used by an unmarried young woman to store clothing and household items to be used after she got married. Presumably, the chest and its contents represented her hope for the future. All the good people of Westville ever wanted was a better life. … Continue reading Hope Chest →