Once Upon A Time…

Once Upon A Time…

Recently on Facebook, an old college friend posted a photo of his first wedding to another of my old college friends. And when I say they are my friends, I’m talking about Facebook friends. I haven’t connected with either of them since 1980. I’m only friends with them...
Finding Solace Where You Can

Finding Solace Where You Can

Anyone who’s paying attention knows that humanity is going bonkers. But it’s hard to know who or what to blame. The internet? Hollywood? Elon Musk? Alex Jones? Those we did or didn’t vote into office? Ourselves? I dunno. But the news can really get me down. Lately,...
How We Talk

How We Talk

Maybe it’s my background in theater, but I love novels with lots of juicy dialogue. But what makes dialogue good? What makes it ring true? Here’s one thing: sometimes we don’t talk to each other, we talk at each other. An example from real life. But first, a little...
No Peace?

No Peace?

So I’m standing out at Lighthouse Field in Santa Cruz, California. I’m there with thousands of other protesters. I’ve come with a few friends, all younger than me by at least a decade, and they are at least a couple of decades older than most of the other protesters....
Hunkering Down on the Monterey Bay

Hunkering Down on the Monterey Bay

Yup. Santa Cruz is officially on lockdown—or, partial lockdown. They call it “shelter in place.” What this means: “essential services” are still allowed to stay open. There’s a list of these, they include things like grocery stores, hospitals, plumbers, and hardware...