Not that I’m keeping score, but I am curious about the value of the vegetables I grow in my backyard garden1. For bragging rights, I’d like to be able to say I’ve produced some lofty number of dollars worth of produce by throwing some seeds in the ground. It’s not that simple, logistically, financially or socially. Let me start with… Read More »The Economic Return of my Garden.
Happily geeking-out about being able to put cat poo in the municipal compost. This could be enviro-, cat-lady-, or just-plain- weird. Whatever. My impact on the environment is lessened. Awesome. Although questions about costs and whether it’s really the best thing for the environment come to mind. The background: Household organic waste collection is about 15 years old where I… Read More »The Joy of Cat Poo. Really.
I long for the simple days of medical care, when the doctor smiled and said “don’t worry, you’ll be fine in a few days”. Or, at the other end of the spectrum “put your affairs in order”. While this second option would be unwelcome, it is a definitive message. I’d prefer no dithering about, ordering endless tests and unpleasant invasions… Read More »Medical Progress
My mother’s voice rings in my head, explaining why it’s time to go to bed, turn off the TV, or stop eating Hallowe’en candy. As a child, I took this as adultly wisdom, an incontestable law of life. My catholic upbringing, tinging everything with guilt, suggested to me that expecting good things to continue indefinitely was greedy, or one of… Read More »“All Good Things Must Come to an End”
Time for another drunk-on-summer rant about how much I enjoy the season. No cocktails are involved in achieving this state. I’m so fond of the heat and sun and going barefoot and fresh vegetables that I naturally trend to euphoria in July and August. Admittedly, an icy cold beer is extra delicious at this time of year. In 2024, I’m… Read More »The Joy of Cycling
There’s many a metaphor about life waiting in the backyard, as I ponder the flux of good years for roses, raccoons and tomatoes, bad years for June bugs, lilies and maples, and those things that seem to be fine every year, rain or shine, heat or cold, like ants, violets and squirrels. The ebbs and flows of nature hang in… Read More »Learning Life Balance from Weeds and Bugs
Touring bands, gigging musicians, and mega-stars have rock and roll lifestyles. Can a mere fan, someone who enjoys the culture, style and attitude of everything that is rock music, claim such a thing? Today felt like a rock and roll lifestyle day, as I was out at a show last night, staying up late, getting drunk on the enveloping sound… Read More »A Rock and Roll Lifestyle
Now that the pandemic is far enough away, I’m ready to proclaim that some good came of it. No question, there was much hurt and hardship, which impacted some people severely. But, pulling the silver lining from three solid years of storm clouds reaps some value from the nightmare that was. Even nightmares usually have a purpose or message. Things… Read More »The Good of Three Years House Arrest
Warning: This post may be TMI if you don’t want to hear about gooey bodily fluids, and not in a fun way. I have an infected cyst on my back. I was prescribed antibiotics and other than figuring out how to take a pill every 6 hrs on an empty stomach while eating regularly and getting 8 hrs of sleep… Read More »Antibiotics: The Value of old Innovations
Getting old is hard. Just ask my cat. She’s about 85 in human years. Certainly a delicate age but not an extreme one. I love her dearly but dealing with her healthcare is challenging. We tend to want for our pets what we want for ourselves. Dignity and comfort are a priority. I want to live vigorously, with minimal intervention… Read More »Cat Care.