Thinking in Public: A season too soon
September, the first month of autumn, brings with it the suggestion of the season to follow. Although still three months away, the wonders of frostbitten cheeks, slips and falls on icy surfaces...
Thinking in Public: Can we talk?
These days, few things in my life can evoke that adrenaline-soaked "fight or flight" response that is common to most animals. As I age, the situations in which that might happen are fewer and fewer.
Thinking in Public: The smoker and the cough
More than 60 years ago, a 15-year-old neighbor taught me to smoke a cigarette. Thirty years later, I became a nonsmoker. Now, 30 years after that, I'm smoking again, but this time it's bovine protein getting blackened rather than my lungs.
Thinking in Public: Misunderstandings
"Do you have a temperature?" "Of course." "Well, why didn't you say something? We should get you tested." "For what?" "What else? The virus."
Thinking in Public: From bait juice to cutting oil, sometimes work stinks
I was a skinny kid with a pitchfork filling bait barrels with fish and salt at the co-op when one February evening I received a telephone call from a high school friend who had recently moved to Connecticut.
Thinking in Public: Easy pickin’s
Finally, it's a sunny, spring-like day, bringing all the sweet promises of warm, gentle breezes, children laughing and playing, and, in due course, summer.
Thinking in Public: Positively aging
I was recently asked to consider writing a column about the positive things about growing old. Hahahahahahaha! No, seriously. Initially, I found the proposition to be absurd, but it quickly ramped up all the way to hilarious in an oxymoronic kind of way.
Thinking in Public: Every winter
As if my glasses had been epoxied to my face, my tears froze at the junction of metal frames and cheeks. The dog, at first ridiculously joyous at the prospect of a walk and having no memory of her frigid outing in the yard moments before, sat still on the frozen pavement, licking her feet in an effort to warm them.
Thinking in Public: Pleasant surprises
I received two packages today from commercial sources that proudly proclaim that prompt, free delivery of their products is assured. In one case, the item was received within 48 hours of ordering.
Thinking in Public: Past the expiration date for safe consumption
If I had been marked with a "best if used by" date, I would have been well past it and trashed 30 years ago. Lately I've felt like that cucumber in the fridge drawer that you forgot about two months ago and stuck your finger through yesterday while reaching for a carrot.
