Month: December 2008
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Writing above all
"I wondered if hell has a special media room for the overly curious writer". Taras GrescoWriting is not without its risks. I know I push the limit at my own risk but I would not do it any other way. I saw a PBS documentary about Woody Guthrie and those who knew him best said…
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Financial crisis hits home
“There was a time when a fool and his money were soon parted, but now it happens to everybody.” – Adlai E. Stevenson I went to my neighborhood branch of my bank and it was no longer there. The walls and windows were there but the building was completely empty. The place where the ATM…
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Old truck
"You can be young without money but you can’t be old without it." – Tennessee Williams I am tired of supporting people who don’t understand the importance of sound financial management. I used to be the same way and so I’ve been spending time thinking about what triggered the transformation in the hope that I can help impart that to…
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Winter solstice
We are past the winter solstice and that means days will slowly begin to grow longer. This is the most important seasonal difference for me, although we still have the bulk of the cold weather ahead. Today’s cold blast turned Belmont Hill’s rock wall into a ferocious monster mouth with dagger-like teeth. I walk past…
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First week in Pennsylvania
"A high station in life is earned by the gallantry with which appalling experiences are survived with grace." – Tennessee Williams It has been a week since I returned home to PA. I challenged and overcame my fears about going to prison in order to at least temporarily resolve my legal problems. There is some…
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winter weather comes early
Note added November 6, 2017: The mussels and foxtail reeds at this part of Money Island NJ were washed away with rising waters over the next several years. We now have a steel seawall at the location this photo was taken. It turns out that ribbed mussels, while edible, are never tasty. Cricket was our…
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Odetta- “May we know that together”
Today I took time to reflect on the influence of Odetta who died at age 77 last week. Odetta had a major spiritual influence on my life. Each time I’ve heard her – either live or recorded – the experience shook the foundation of my values and challenged me to new heights. I plead with anyone who reads this passage…
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Little Richard
Today is Little Richard’s 76th birthday. He is perhaps the person who had the greatest influence on rock and roll music; most of the top performers of my generation cited him as a significant influence in their music. Songs like "Long Tall Sally" and "Good Golly Miss Molly" have been universally used by everyone from bar room…