I'm Thinking…No!

As I hit my stride heading into a third year, it occurred to me that blogs reflect the writer’s interests, unique perspectives, and writing something that will appeal to a niche market. Several bloggers have written to me in the last two years to tell me they have enjoyed my writing, and also inviting me to read theirs, which I have.  That inspired me to describe for you  a few that I’ve read, and honestly, a number that I haven’t but I’ll speculate anyway on what they’re all about. Continue reading “A Blogger’s Take on . . . Blogs”

Well, it’s happened again.  The folks at Publishers Clearing House sent me a message that “A winner has been chosen.” How fantastic.  If it’s not me, I really could not care less.  So, last Friday was the day fated for my big check to arrive, but, get this, it didn’t.  No large vehicle pulled up out front, with crews unloading lights, cameras, and balloons.  I did not even answer the door.  I saw no reason to smile broadly or cry out joyfully. Two years ago, I informed my faithful readers that I felt really, really close to the big payday.  Well, hourly updates were coming in for the last two weeks from PCH.  I’ve been working hard to maintain my Presidential Preferred Status by buying only essentials like cushioned jar openers. It’s all a big mystery because I know they have a map to my house. There it is, on each announcement, surrounded by the lots of happy people in PCH blazers, tossing fistfuls of cash into the air. But, once again, nothing but disappointment.

Continue reading “Another Big Win – Missed”

Yes, there are some issues that capture national interest, particularly in the climate of campaigns and voter interests.  Immigration, healthcare, climate change, education, trade wars, national defense, consumer protection.  So, yes, I’ll concede that those are important.  Sadly lost, however in all of this discussion, and completely overlooked in the presidential debates, are the major dessert issues of our time. Key among those is the debate over ice cream versus gelato. Continue reading “The Great Gelato-Ice Cream Debate”

“I need to send this back.” Words that strike fear in every waitperson’s heart.  It means they need to explain to the chef why the order didn’t fly, and it sometimes means the waiter’s tip just spiraled downward from 20% to “whatever”.  It’s a death sentence for the food.  That entrée has already been on the table.  Once it goes back to the kitchen, no reprieve.  It’s on a one-way ride to the dumpster out back.  Some may survive to be a snack or a take-home for a staff member, but most are garbage. The waitperson therefore feels compelled to ask deeply probing questions about the cause of said return.  There are several possible scenarios at work here. Continue reading “The Art of Returning”

We’ve all watched the Super Bowl commercials, thinking how much creative thinking and imagination has gone into those that we’ll see once or twice, then they go into the vault forever. What we’re left with is often truly forgettable, and to compound the problem, we’ll see them once, twice, three times a half hour.  Here are a few of my nominations for the “You Shouldn’t Have Bothered” Ad Awards. Continue reading “More Commercials (that shouldn’t have been made)”

Last September, I celebrated two years on the air – well, not really on the air but more over whatever the internet is.  I can keep track easily because the host site contacts me for more money.  It’s our symbiotic relationship.  I  keep writing, and they  charge my credit card. Continue reading “Pre-Ode to Fall, or August Lament”

You, my faithful readers, are quite right. This will be one of those blogs that lacks my usual light-hearted, deftly humorous touch, because it’s a serious subject.  It needs to be approached seriously. I debated long and hard – in fact I started this when it first came into print.  I started writing, and then turned back, but now the time feels right. Continue reading “Bullying: Let’s Call It What It Is”

Robo-calls.  We all get them, we all ignore them, we try to put them out of our minds.  Every so often, though, it’s a legitimate call that we missed because . . . . . well, it came from a cell phone number we didn’t recognize or a destination that seemed familiar, so maybe we should answer . . . . Continue reading ““We’ve Been Trying to Reach You . . .””

We were lying in bed the other night – I peacefully reading my book, when Herself spotted a “bug on the ceiling”.   It turned out to be a small moth.  I’m thinking “no big deal, it will fly away.”  My wife, on the other hand, foresees an Alfred Hitchcock ending in which that moth will give a signal and legions of moths will descend on her.  While I’ve never heard of moths actually attacking humans, particularly as they have only what, one nerve cell and no brain?  So, the chances are pretty slim that they’ll be planning an attack on her in the night, but no matter – it could happen. I sprang into action, going in search of a swatter.  The moth thoughtfully, and unlike most other insects I’ve encountered, stayed in place until I could return and miss it with a truly vibrant swipe.  It wisely flew off and is most likely still hiding behind a bureau wondering what all the fuss was about. Continue reading “Accosted By Nature – My Wife’s Story”

As I was out watering my garden plants this morning, I realized that despite my best efforts, they’re not stagnant.  There’s an ebb and flow.  At moments, they look spectacular, and once I’ve planted some containers, I expect them to stay that way until the fall.  That never happens.  They go through ups and downs, although I water and fertilize them, loosen the soil, pick off the dead blossoms, and do pretty much everything I can to make them look their best.  Occasionally, one or two plants will need to be replaced, and that changes the whole complexion of the container.  Sometimes I like it better, sometimes not quite so much.  My garden is constantly . . . elusive. Continue reading “Life is . . . .elusive”