page contents Google

MASKED MEN AND WOMEN: WHO WORE IT BEST

May 22, 2020 by

Masked men and women send a message to all who see them: “I don’t plan on killing you,” is the message. “Don’t blame me if you get coronavirus,” is the mask subtext. What they aren’t saying:

Filed Under: What's Up Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

CAREGIVING EXCERPT FROM WORK IN PROGRESS

March 22, 2019 by

My caregiving days ended the morning I came downstairs and found Ken laying still in his hospital bed. Very still. I was suspicious. A large red circle nearly two feet in diameter stained the bedspread drawn up to his chin. What. The. F?

Filed Under: What's Up Tagged With: , , , , ,

MOURNING PERIOD: WHO SETS THE CLOCK

March 11, 2019 by

Loss affects everyone; response to loss varies. A death in the family can be a devastating event, and it can be a release. Sudden death is the stunner. One moment the lights are on, the next it’s all dark. No good bye, no so long, no nothing, just an empty place where someone used to […]

Filed Under: What's Up Tagged With: , , , , ,

Auntie Pammy Leaves Legacy Of Lennox Lancer Love

August 2, 2018 by

  Life transitions can mean so many things. After all other guesses run out, the final life transition is the end. Auntie Pammy’s life ended, but she left a legacy of love that’s hard to ignore.   From the time the news went out I thought of the a meme that said, “Write about what […]

Filed Under: BOOMER YEARS Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

LIFE STAGES WITH ELISABETH KUBLER-ROSS

April 3, 2018 by

    Instead of death and dying, use the same grief progression for living and life stages. It fits just as well, after all no one said life was easy. Sometimes living is a downer until we find something to live for.   Life stages go beyond the chronographic scale, like the Terrible Twenties, the […]

Filed Under: Toughen Up Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

MEDICAL MARIJUANA FOR A DOSE OF CANCER

April 2, 2018 by

    Medical marijuana? Isn’t that just an excuse to get loaded without consequences, like jail? That’s what Pat thinks. I caught a rather painful case of cancer and tried one oxy pill, and one nip of liquid oxy, which changed nothing.   Why would marijuana be different?   At a desperate moment I tried […]

Filed Under: Toughen Up Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

WORLD CANCER DAY DIFFERENCE FOR EVERY CANCER TREATMENT

February 6, 2018 by

Everyone is different. How different is the question. And the answer?   World Cancer Day is one of the differences. Some embrace it, some ignore it, while still others share.   Call this a share.  

Filed Under: Toughen Up Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

SELF MYTHOLOGY: DEATH, DYING, PAT CONROY’S DAD

December 18, 2017 by

  What are the best stories told but the ones we tell about ourselves. From Greek gods to Steinbeck sharecroppers we can be whoever we like when we tell our own stories.   Of course the best self mythology comes from the biggest liars and you can’t believe a word they say, still we need […]

Filed Under: BOOMER BLOGGER Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

CANCER STORIES: FEEDING PUBLIC FEAR AND PRIVATE WOE

December 1, 2017 by

Things you’ll never know until you get cancer, any cancer:   You’ll either be an object of sympathy, or an antenna of sympathy. Or both.   “Keep up the fight,” or, “You’re a fighter,” or “You look like you’ve got this thing whipped.”   That’s what I heard after running Hood To Coast at 49 […]

Filed Under: Toughen Up Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

HPV16 VACCINE IN CONSUMER REPORTS

August 19, 2017 by

The HPV16 vaccine article in Consumer Reports pushes hot buttons across the board. It’s easy to understand why.   I’m a father of two, but it’s more than that. Too many parents are overwhelmed with the joy of their own reproductive skills and the bundle of joy as a result. I know I was.   […]

Filed Under: Toughen Up Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,