Comedian Steve Martin used to do a routine in which he envisioned his post-death conversation with God. “Mr. Martin,” the Lord began. “Do you know how many times you took my name in vain?” Of course, Martin indicated no. “19,465… Read More ›
Life Lessons
Playing ‘Chicken?’ Yes. It’s Standard Operating Procedure
In 1998, two automotive dealership technicians became very competitive in their attempts to date the dealership’s cashier. Each thought they were the better man. During the ensuing months, each unsuccessfully attempted to build their bravado while simultaneously sabotaging the other…. Read More ›
Lessons from our Visitors
Nurses spoke of seeing a middle-aged woman who showed up each day, sat at the same table, ate her lunch, sipped some coffee, and left several hours later. After several weeks, speculation centered upon romance – that perhaps a kind… Read More ›
On The Road To Kingdom Come: Learning Through ‘Ache’
My bones ache. No, it is not muscles. It feels like bones. I first noticed the condition in August. I awoke mid-August and felt an unusual symptom: the bones (tibia and fibula) ached in the lower part of my right… Read More ›
The Daily ‘Shit Show’
A little past 6;12 PM, an Information Technology administrator and I exited the westside Chicago hospital. “Care for a drink?” I nodded enthusiastically. “I warn you; we have to get past some I.E.D.’s.” He wasn’t referencing the military term ‘I.E.D.’… Read More ›
The ‘New’ America
I no longer walk a solitary journey. As best as I tried to walk alone toward my final hours, back pain has become my companion. Walking is difficult, and sleep is elusive. So I staggered to my recliner just past… Read More ›
About Luck
A few hours ago, I found a box of old pictures. The first picture had to be twenty years old and looked like someone else. “Wow, I’ll never be that person again.” Followed by, “Yeah, that person does not have… Read More ›
Toward Shelter
I’ve seen many a hurricane in my day. First, super Typhoon Pamela (No, not an ex-girlfriend) produced typhoon-force winds for 18 hours and left 80% of the buildings in its wake. Then was Hurricane Andrew (No, not Gov. Cuomo). Hurricane’s… Read More ›
Working A COVID ICU: ‘Today’ Always Comes
“Poignant statement,” I noted. “Huh?” said my hospital escort (an Emergency Room nurse I’ll call Wanda) while simultaneously perusing the ‘Comm Board.’ The Communications Board (Comm Board), or “whiteboard” as it is informally known, is a communication tool that provides… Read More ›
The COVID Booster
About thirty-five years ago, during breakfast, my former mother-in-law said she had to run errands throughout the day, culminating with a stop at the pharmacy for some PTA items. Confused by the comment, my ex-wife asked what ‘PTA’ items she… Read More ›