this state of independence shall be

A downside of having unconventional parents was their willingness to say “go ahead, leave.” And I would but I didn’t have anywhere to go.  I didn’t have any friends.  There was no mall or hangout.  So I’d hide behind an apple tree in the...

The Reunion

I have to go to one in a couple of weeks where I’ll see hundreds of people I haven’t seen as far back as forty years ago.  It’s exciting but requires planning ahead, especially since most people’s opening line after not seeing someone is either...

Hygiene Lessons

… as learned from my father at a way too early age. I knew how to shave my face, armpits and chest by the age of nine.  Not that there was any hair to shave but my father insisted it was best to stay on top of things before they got out of hand.  So I did it....

You’re not as interesting as you think you are.

I found myself saying that to a complete stranger the other night.  What prompted it?  A man with a piercing and enunciated vocabulary drowning out any possibility that everyone else around him might get the nerve to start a conversation.   Then I settled my tab with...