Retired Navy after 23 years. I retired at the age of 40 years old. I've been out longer than I was in. All of the ships I served on have been made into razor blades. I had fun and I lived my life the best I could. Most of my shipmates are gone and I try to stay in touch with the remainder. It continues. Substance abuse counselor, builder of wooden boats, furniture maker, prison non-violence workshop facilitator, life observer, activist, reader, writer, geriatric subject of interest, generous tipper. I stay involved.
I’ve been around long enough to be less and less knowledgeable regarding what goes on on a daily basis in our world. Lately, my eyes have been opened to newer and less recognizable activities and pastimes. The longer I’m around, the less I know what is going on. I believe that getting old is a … More Overwhelming, to Say the Least.
IT’S NEVER TOO LATE It’s never too late but it can be too little. Perhaps, “it’s the thought that counts”, is more fitting here. I did something in 1971 that has bugged me all these years. Last week I found myself in a situation where I could make an amends about the cruel act I … More It’s Never Too Late. (an encore post)
ARE YOU GLAD IT HAPPENED? “Are you glad it happened?” I wasn’t ready for it. It was not directed toward me. I was a bystander in someone else’s drama but I caught the weight of the words. The words were delivered lovingly; the questioner was sincere. They were truly curious regarding the event which the … More Are You Glad It Happened?
They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; Psalm 107: 23-27 From the Boston Globe, 21 April 2020 By Abigail Feldman Globe Correspondent, Updated April 20, 2020, 9:55 p.m. A man died after falling off a fishing boat near the coast of Gloucester on Monday afternoon, according to … More They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; Psalm 107: 23-27
The requirements I’ve put upon myself! I have bitten off more than I can chew apparently. Typical behavior for an ‘A’ type personality like myself. Hunkering down should be easier than this, I would think, but it has proven a little more than I bargained for. Let me explain. (Bear with me, if you can.) … More I Can Hardly Keep Up!
CENSUS 2020 Goodbye Note to Census 2020 I just completed filling out the census 2020 form on line. It took me all of ten minutes. Not long but long enough that now the U.S. Government knows that I am an old white guy who lives alone in a house on a back road far from … More Census 2020, Being a Good Citizen
STRENGTH AND POISE I am, sometimes, embarrassed to see people who are extras in films carrying something I could, at one time, carry three of. Tonight, I saw two people carry a small log. To me it was small. I have carried three of them through the woods on my shoulder at one time avoiding … More Strength and Poise
It’s dark now. That old wet snow is sliding off the tree limbs and the roof and making spooky noises like Santa on the roof with those smelly reindeers. It’s making me a little uncomfortable. Maybe it’s huge rats. You never know when it’s dark like this and alone.
Unexpected Good News One of the indicators that one might be infected with Covid-19 is the loss of the sense of smell. For the past two to three weeks I have been bugged by a bad taste in my mouth and the persistent acrid smell of something I can only vaguely recognize. I’ve been distracted … More Something Smells
One of the hardest workers on the submarine was Danny. He lived a life of quiet desperation. Many of us do. I served with him for a few years in the mid-sixties. He was a gentle, sensitive guy. Stubborn in his profession. He would not give up on a job. Danny spent hours wrestling with … More Danny Corcoran Was a Good Shipmate
Playing Fair and Being Kind 