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.
THE SMARTEST PERSON IN THE SMOKIES Nico is Her Name This is one of my favorite stories. Usually initiated with, “How did you meet Nicole?”. I find most meetings of note are a case of timing on both sides of the equation. I met Nicole in a restaurant in Tennessee on my way back from … More Nico is Her Name
I cannot begin. I am frightened of what I have learned in the four days that I hung with Grace. Even now I am on the verge of weeping. She showed so much. As did I. I fell in love without desiring to. I learned some things that I will need to discuss with her … More Love and Tension in Charleston…I fall in love with honest vulnerability
HANGING WITH THE TROOPS And Finding Treasure On Friday morning, the 23rd of January, I finished breakfast at a diner in Virginia Beach. While sitting in the parking lot I used my phone and their WiFi signal to work a reservation at Naval Air Station Norfolk. I booked a room for two nights just to … More Hanging With The Troops
BURN HER DOWN AND GET OUT OF TOWN I’m preparing to leave Maine for other parts. My intent is to make the usual destination Southern California. I have made connections there that make me happy and loved. Not exclusively mind you. I feel happy and loved most places. Southern California has a larger population of … More Burn Her Down!
Right off I need to announce the vegan eating style is pleasing me as I continue to give up eating animals, products of animals, and processed products. I feel better, more energized daily, and I can feel the pants growing in the waistband. I have been experimenting with flavorful meat substitutes such as sausage links … More 1.2 Gallons of Spaghetti Sauce, Chilly Rain, and Mozart Piano Concerto in C. K.467
Last night I attended a film in South Portland, Maine. “Cowspiracy; the sustainability secret”. I fully enjoyed watching the film and I learned an awful lot about the priorities of various organizations that are causing pollution and global warming and hastening the end of the earth as well as those organizations that are camouflaged as … More Concept and Practice, Basho, Vegan Aspirations
THE SOUND OF FALL IN COLOR We are getting some color here at The Castle. A few maples around town are turning near the top. It should be still good when Patsy gets here. Most of our colors will be subtle and rich. The red oaks give a purple and copper color that reminds me … More I Have a Symphony of My Own
I found a record shop in Waterville, Maine. I found it online. Waterville is a far drive from Boothbay, about an hour and 15. Something drew me to this record shop. I’m not sure what or why. I liked the description and figured I could give up a drive to investigate and remove the urge … More Sibelius Symphony No. 5 Birth and Death and Love
I got involved today on a thread that discussed the insanity of walking away from an untenable situation in such a manner as to speak truth to power and refuse to be oppressed all at once. I love being involved in conflict with the power structure. Don’t tell me that I can’t express myself or … More Fuck it. I Quit!
A cover of clouds and a soft rain are welcome at The Castle. The air is warm. My broken storm door blew open and would not obey my mental demand to get back into place. When the storm door behaves this way its activities produce small sounds that get into my life causing me to … More The Air is Warm and the Rain is Soft
Playing Fair and Being Kind 