I live in a rural community, 6 miles to the nearest grocery store, but a handy pharmacy just opened about 150 yards from my house. This place has a limited stock, but the price is right. Shown above is one of the specials in today’s grand opening: bloodroot, free for the taking. Five years ago, I took a … read more The corner pharmacy
Month: March 2016
For adults only
I treasure my pool time. I go during Adult Swim, and it’s quiet, tranquil, a pleasure to do laps. During my first weeks after brain surgery, my pool sessions saved my sanity and sped up my recovery time. Today when I arrived, the desk staff told me there are no longer any Adult Swim hours. Attorneys … read more For adults only
Couch worker
Amidst all the chaos going on in my house, with the entire basement unusable, there’s a bright spot: My commute time has been cut in half. Instead of walking down two flights of stairs to get to my office, I now only have to go down one flight – to the couch. I settle in with my … read more Couch worker
Art for sale
“Only $25!” Beth exclaimed. “That is TOO low.” Beth used to own a gallery, so I’m inclined to take her pronouncement about pricing my fused glass as something more than mere flattery from a fellow artist. I had already been through this discussion with two other artists while I was setting up the display of … read more Art for sale
Train tracks
The train was all black, going fast, on a track that followed the rim of a wooden volcano. Its whistle was full of darkness, echoing into the cavern of void around it. I was scared, even as it curved away from me. I knew it would be back. That is the first dream I remember … read more Train tracks
Message received, Harry
I miss Harry Golden. Even though he’s been dead for 35 years and I never met him. Harry’s been on my mind a lot lately. My longtime friend Kimberly Marlowe Hartnett wrote the definitive biography of Golden (1903-1981), Carolina Israelite: How Harry Golden Made Us Care About Jews, the South, and Civil Rights, published last … read more Message received, Harry
The early spring
The weather’s been delightfully sunny, for March – 70s and even low 80s. The flowers jumped right up, fruit trees burst into blossom, and the carpenter bees began their war dance of mating – a full week or more before the official start of spring. I am astonished that it’s so warm I need to … read more The early spring
The valve is open
My art table is covered with plastic sheets and a layer of gypsum dust from all the holes in the drywall. My glass art supplies are in boxes and bags in the living room. I cart my supplies downstairs, and dust and vacuum to make a small table space, and unearth a stool to sit … read more The valve is open
Numb
You’d think that someone who was raised Catholic and has been a reporter, editor, and journalism trainer for 35 years would have seen Spotlight the first week it came out. But when I finally watched it last night, I knew why it had taken so long. It’s an excellent movie, well-crafted and yet authentic in its two-camera simplicity, … read more Numb
Better living through plastic plumbing
It’s an odd feeling to look into the guts of your house. To see the secret space where the house’s invisible life carries on through water and drain pipes, air ducts, propane and electrical lines. It’s like seeing a scan of your brain. A little creepy, but fascinating. As of today, our house has veins and arteries – … read more Better living through plastic plumbing