In the past 10 years, I’ve spent a lot of hours in church basements, meeting halls and classrooms. This time was shared with other drunks who’ve given up drinking and chosen a more life-affirming way of life. I am my own kind of madman, and many other alcoholics are crazy people; in those subterranean rooms, … Continue reading Spiritual Wisdom Distilled from Those Who Have Left Distilled Spirits
Month: January 2018
Take a Left at “Cat Urinary Tract Infection,” Then Straight on ‘til Morning
When the internet came to the Tiny White Box, I was ambivalent. On the one hand, it means I can keep in real-time touch with my daughters and friends, follow national news more closely and browse podcasts and audiobooks without getting in the car and driving to strong Wi-Fi. These advantages are not to be … Continue reading Take a Left at “Cat Urinary Tract Infection,” Then Straight on ‘til Morning
First Notes after the Film Crew Leaves
Sean McDonald was the handsomest man in Coos County for four hours today. By now, he’s back to being the handsomest man in Hillsborough County. He and Paul, the editor and videographer visited the Tiny White Box today for a segment on Channel 9 (WMUR) in Manchester’s “Chronicle” show, a magazine program that profiles New … Continue reading First Notes after the Film Crew Leaves
Brother? Sister? Strangers with Shared Genetic Material
A long time ago, before some of you were even born, I wrote this, but don’t believe I ever formally published it, although I did use it as part of an introduction to a book proposal on adoption. My agent never sold the project, so I never wrote the book, so you can read this … Continue reading Brother? Sister? Strangers with Shared Genetic Material
A Regional Distributor of Gratitude
Last night I talked with a friend who’s struggling to stay sober. Larry, as I’ll call him, still has a house, a relationship, money in the bank and good looks. He just lacks a non-alcohol way to fill the emptiness inside him. I’ve cried out in that cavernous space, and I know the heavy reverberation … Continue reading A Regional Distributor of Gratitude
Culturally IIlliterate—TV Shows I’ve Never Seen
Norman Mailer, I think, said television is something to appear on, not something to watch. My television appearances have been miniscule compared to Mailer’s omnipresence in the 1970’s, but I do understand the sentiment. I wish I could watch more TV, but I just can’t find the time. There’s always something I’d rather do than … Continue reading Culturally IIlliterate—TV Shows I’ve Never Seen
Telegenics Alert—I Need a TV Makeover. STAT!
I’m mainly happy with the way I look. Oh, sure, I wouldn’t mind being six inches taller, more muscular and having rugged good looks. Still, for a slender shortish man with a slightly effeminate manner, I look fine. I’ll never make women dewy with my matinee-idol good looks, but no blind date has run from … Continue reading Telegenics Alert—I Need a TV Makeover. STAT!
Mocking My Betters—Luckily, the World is Filled with Them
I have a Philistine love of poetry—I like what I like and I ignore what I don’t. For instance, I like A.E. Housman way more than any other straight American male I’ve ever met. His plangent tone brings actual tears to my eyes, although they’ve never moistened my face. To most contemporary readers, he is … Continue reading Mocking My Betters—Luckily, the World is Filled with Them
A Miscellaneous Hodgepodge of Potpourri in a Ragbag Volume 1
--People worry about Sam (is a dog) and me in the Tiny White Box in this terrible cold. Really, there’s nothing to be concerned about. Gavin (the God of Custom Building) Beland, who did all the work foresaw any challenges. We are well-insulated, well heated and well-ventilated. With an electric radiator set on medium-high and … Continue reading A Miscellaneous Hodgepodge of Potpourri in a Ragbag Volume 1
Regrets? I’ve Had a Few. Here Are Some of Them
As I approach 60, I’m starting to recognize I won’t do all I’d intended to do, learn all I’d intended to learn or travel to all the places I’d intended to travel. Since my goal had been to do all that could be done, learn everything and go everywhere, I can live with this reduction … Continue reading Regrets? I’ve Had a Few. Here Are Some of Them