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 completed my visit to North Carolina to visit my granddaughter Hannah. We had a great visit. My son Sam joined in for a few days as well. Hannah and Sam are close enough in age that they are good pals and I’ve recognized this so I stay in the background as much as possible … More FALL IS HERE AND I HEAR WINTER IS CLOSE BEHIND
SOME BENEFITS OF LIVING LONG Or: Dealing With the Fuckery of Life A thought that has come to me this morning, but remains untested, is that my life has been long; so long that I have come to recognize the innocence of mistakes, rude behavior, angry response, ignorance, stupidity, impoliteness, meanness, violence, and general fucked-up-ness. … More The Fuckery of Life
I spent twenty three years in the Navy. I began at Great Lakes Naval Recruit Training Station which is actually in North Chicago, Illinois. This photo was taken by a long forgotten pal from those days. I can guess the date of the photo around spring time of 1958. My Navy life was enjoyable. I … More Sailor Boy
The attacks on our country from terrorists on 9/11 raised many anxieties throughout our population in the United States. How can anyone be surprised? It was a horrific event and the instant images flashed out to our homes in living scariness have warped our minds forever. Oddly there was an earlier 9/11 that happened in … More Up is Down and In is Out
I’ve spent a lifetime learning how to talk to other people. I’m aware that in my mind I am the only person on earth and all others are here to play supporting roles and that when they are not called to be on stage that they disappear and go into a sort of holding pattern until … More Men Talking
What a week this has been. I read and I learn and I change my behavior and then I read some more. At this period of my life I find such pleasure in the most simple things! There have been many stories in the press about how white liberals have been trying to explain to … More I Learn from Cornell West and Other Things
I have been very lucky indeed in that my mind is clear and I am blessed with a good memory. At least when I remember the fun stuff. Some stuff I still tend to shudder when it comes back to haunt me. In this instance though the memory is bitter sweet and I have taken … More The Well Never Runs Dry
EPIPHANY An epiphany has come to me. I hope I can explain in such a way as to convey the feelings, the depth of the feelings and the insights that this epiphany delivered. The epiphany came to me in the early hours as I lay in bed, thinking about events of the recent past and … More Epiphany
This has been a busy and productive week. Life is a series of mistakes and occasionally there come a few moments of clarity and luck. One of my most helpful lessons over the years has been the learning of “Up” and “Down”. I chuckle at the simplistic tag I’ve assigned this grand life-event. Up and … More Ideations of a Septuagenarian
For about three years I have been mindfully open to learning. That is, I’ve decided that life has its expiration date and before mine arrives I want to absorb as much as possible. In this phase of my development a major consideration is the complexity of what it is I want to absorb. The point is … More Open to Learning
Playing Fair and Being Kind 