Sad news - Peter Falk died on Thursday, age 83, after bringing us countless joys with his performances. Columbo is a timeless character, a kind of blind-seer, a wise-idiot, or a court jester who gets away with bringing down the powerful because he allows himself to seem so harmless to them for so long. He … Continue reading “Uh, sir? Just one more thing…”
life
When you are old, everything reminds you
I read this piece - written to a friend a couple of years ago - at another friend's 50th birthday party tonight. It was great fun to hear his laughter. The last time I bought a hair dryer, Bill Clinton was president. It was early enough in his presidency that we still thought he would … Continue reading When you are old, everything reminds you
Beginning of Days?
Whether you took the rumours of impending rapture and end of days seriously or not, the (apparent) fact that the world exists on May 22 pretty much the same as it did on May 21 could be a chance to take a fresh look at life. I mean, what if we all decided today to … Continue reading Beginning of Days?
Ferraro-Mondale
Nineteen eighty-four. The title of the novel by George Orwell, and my sophomore year at college. That autumn's presidential election saw the first ever woman nominated on a major party ticket - Geraldine Ferraro. She was tapped by Walter Mondale to run as his vice-presidential candidate. It was the first presidential election since I was … Continue reading Ferraro-Mondale
Recalibrating
Just finished a "short" story I started writing last fall. It's a lot different than my usual writing voice, a bit on the dark side, and one of the longer stories I've written. Here's a short excerpt that seems to resonate with current world events. My editor friend suggests, quite gently, that there is no point … Continue reading Recalibrating
Go read Sherman Alexie…now
Hearing Sherman Alexie (http://www.fallsapart.com/) speak about life and writing and books and read from his upcoming sequel to The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian tonight was a healing experience - he was funny, irreverent, touching, gifted, and above all generous. Alexie is one of the finest writers working today. Go find anything he's written … Continue reading Go read Sherman Alexie…now
Heroes
Hero: a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal. (dictionary.reference.com) Real heroes don't ride in on white horses to save the day. They are not inspired by ego, by the need to be thanked, recognized, or rewarded; they are … Continue reading Heroes
Happy xmas!
Dateline: 25 December 2010 Reuters news service reported early today that Time was stolen late last year. The shocking theft was uncovered in a Central Intelligence Agency memo posted on the infamous Wikileaks web site. The memo went on to document the U.S. government’s involvement in the cover up of the theft of Time. The … Continue reading Happy xmas!
What makes a good day?
A walk with your old dog, without getting rained on. A trip to the local post shop, to send the last of your xmas packages off in the mail - to friends old and new. A chat with a friend across a nine-hour time difference, celebrating her daughter's fourth birthday. A great cup … Continue reading What makes a good day?
Fearless hearts and great pumpkins
"To get through this life with any kind of self-respect at all, you need two things: an inquisitive mind, and a fearless heart." -Steve Earle. Like Linus waiting for the Great Pumpkin - Linus has a fearless heart, one that's been broken many times before, and he just comes back for more. You could call … Continue reading Fearless hearts and great pumpkins
Elizabeth Fountain, Author 