Jul 20Late Again: A Back-to-School StoryMargaret Smith’s mother came into the bedroom and pulled back the curtains. “Maggie, get up,” she called. Margaret covered her head with the pillow. “Maggie, I said get out of bed!” From under the pillow, Margaret mumbled, “I don’t wanna get up.” Sighing, Mrs. Smith allowed the bridge of her…4 min read4 min read
Oct 25, 2022It’s the economy, stupidTwo weeks until Election Day It’s the economy, stupid… The issues are complex, for sure, with the lingering and predictable (and unpredictable) effects of a global pandemic and Putin’s war and climate change impacting economies across the planet. But if you think Joe Biden caused inflation, I suggest you take…4 min read4 min read
Oct 17, 2022no prison that can hold your songHere is a story about you that I heard from a gossiping angel who was snacking on mulberries in the tree in my backyard this past summer. The angel said that you used to soar above the world. They said that you were once surrounded by so many miracles that…3 min read3 min read
Aug 30, 2022Student Loan ForgivenessThe vitriol that’s now spewing from the conservative right towards people with student debt is just the latest in their +50-year war against public and higher education, rooted in bitterness over Brown v. Board of Education. It gained traction when Ronald Reagan was governor of California in the 1960s. Back…Student Loan Forgiveness5 min readStudent Loan Forgiveness5 min read
Jun 20, 2022By Any Means NecessaryI read a study recently on voting behavior and factors identified as reasons for choosing a candidate in an election. The most reliable indicator isn’t gender or race or education level or socioeconomic status or zip code or even party affiliation. …2 min read2 min read
May 27, 2022Enough is Enough!On his 18th birthday, a kid walks into a gun store in Texas and legally buys two assault weapons and hundreds of rounds of ammunition… a full three years before the state figures he’s responsible enough to buy himself a Bud Lite. 3 kids died from lawn darts. …Gun Violence4 min readGun Violence4 min read
May 12, 2022Earliest Childhood MemoryI call it my earliest childhood memory, but to be honest I have no means to prove it. I say I’m three and my sister, Renee, is seven, but those ages were arbitrarily attached some time later. Perhaps we were older. The place is my grandparent’s house in Eight Mile…2 min read2 min read
May 12, 2022The High Cost of Our Global War on TerrorWritten May 10, 2019 Universal Healthcare….Tuition-free public education… How on earth do you plan on paying for it, they say. Socialist, they call me. Consider… it’s been 16 years since the invasion of Iraq (remember Saddam Hussein, weapons of mass destruction, etc.). …2 min read2 min read
May 11, 2022Vicky White: All the Questions We’re All Asking Will be Buried with Her, UnansweredNote to self: in case I’ve forgotten to mention it to them already, remind daughters to try not to fall in love with a man facing murder charges with violent tendencies when off his meds who’s already serving 75 years for other serious crimes. Another important tip: if you happen…2 min read2 min read
May 11, 2022Grandmother StoweRemembering my Grandmother Stowe who passed away in 1991. I wrote this shortly after her death and recently stumbled upon it. (September 1991) My grandmother died last week. I returned to the piney rolling hills of my childhood to be with her during the final days of her life. For…5 min read5 min read
