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NO FRIENDS? SOUNDS LIKE A SAFE LIFE

During ‘my research’ I came across this gem: “If you have no friends you’ll probably never get Covid19.” This isn’t the sort of research that leads to cockeyed ideas on how to treat Covid once you get it. My research is different than people who say they’re ‘doing research’ but who don’t understand what research […]

ABANDONED PLACES WHERE COMMON SENSE USED TO BE

Abandoned places can be literal or figurative. The first is an old log cabin in the woods rotting into the ground; the other is the hollow spot in your chest where a heart use to be. Why a heart? Because I’ve had recent experience with that hollow spot. With regard to emotions, ignore them long […]

CLEAR COMMUNICATIONS FOR NEEDY TIMES, LIKE NOW

Clear communications sound like this: “For best results follow the instructions included.” For the past year and half the covid instructions include wearing a mask, washing hands, and social distancing. Add getting a vaccine and we’re all up to date and safe? It turns out everyone is not as adept at following instructions as they […]

BE PREPARED: IT’S MORE THAN A BOY SCOUT MOTTO WITH THE COVID

Be prepared! It sounds like a threat to some people. “Prepared for what? What’re you gonna do if I’m not, huh? What?” It sounds like there could be consequences, like, “Be prepared, or else.” “Or else what? You tell me like you know something I don’t know. Yeah, I don’t think so, bub.” While no […]

COVID PERMISSION SLIP: WHEN THEY MATTER, WHEN THEY DON’T

A permission slip comes in many forms. A ticket to a show, ID in a liquor store, including a professional license framed and hanging on a doctor’s wall. I think of these things as a comfort. If I’ve paid for a ticket and present it at the door, I’m in. Woo hoo. Do I also […]

WHY SAD ENDINGS RUIN LIVING HAPPILY EVER AFTER

Sad endings of books and movies leave time for reflection and hope: I reflect on why I ever started the story and hope it never happens again. It always happens again, but, as a mature adult, I feel the possibility of emotional growth from sad endings. Experience says we all grow. ‘Grow what’ is the […]

MEDICAL ADVICE SAVES LIVES SOONER THAN LATER

Medical advice is different than mechanical advice for a car? While it is shocking news to some, the wrong advice can kill you. The guy at the car wash says your brakes are fine because you stopped when they gave the sign. But those brakes are grinding at every light. When is the right time […]

DYSFUNCTIONAL PARENTS TEACH THEIR KIDS BY EXAMPLE

Dysfunctional parents come in all sizes, shapes, and colors. Kids raised in a dysfunctional environment come out of it with choices to make. No one chooses to be a dysfunctional parent, but if that’s all you know, what else is there to do? Plenty. Starting with, “What is dysfunctional supposed to mean, smarty pants? You […]

HUMAN CONNECTIONS YOU SHOULD NOT IGNORE

Human connections are the ties that bind us together. Whether we like it or not, we can’t look away from others like they don’t matter. At the same time, it takes an effort to realize what caring means. Why would anyone care about strangers in a strange land? If you find yourself confused by the […]

GOOD JUDGEMENT IN CONSEQUENTIAL TIMES

Let’s be frank about the notion of good judgement: if you never do anything of consequence, any sort of awareness is fine. Why? Because it doesn’t really matter. The problem is influence. Too many punks have found their ‘voice’ in social media. Instead of yelling at people to stay off their yard, they’ve done some […]