The Billy Pulpit

“What would y’all li-ike for your si-ide?” Laken asked after I told her I would have the B&B Burger – the Bacon and Bleu. I asked if I could have the grits. “We don’t have gri-its no more,” she said. “We’re from California, and Ah’ve had gri-its ever’ day since I got here last month,” … Continue reading Grits and Quarantine →

With the first test, I wasn’t sure how precise I needed to be.  She worked the swab up her nasal passage, then dipped it - placed it really – into the reagent tube and squeezed it and swirled it around. (I learned “re-agent” when I bought a house with a swimming pool 30 years ago … Continue reading Quarantine – Chapter 1 →

My traveling companion tested positive for COVID on Monday. It is now Thursday night. I am traveling with this companion – she is my companion - because my family relationships are evolving, and everyone tells me it's for the better. I am leaving a dysfunctional relationship with a bipolar narcissist whose only child blocks her … Continue reading Quarantine – Chapter 2 →

It seems like most Christmases I am either recovering from a cold, feeling like I’m about to catch a cold, or in media res. My daughter and I used to have a tradition of reserving one day together before Christmas for us to go shopping, have lunch, and see a movie.  (Always a movie like … Continue reading Christmas Traditions in the Time of the COVID →

Yes, after 8 mos. asking Old Roommate when are we going to talk about our future, I have moved my life essentials 75 miles south*, and I have been here each night for a fortnight (now 7 months) - even had both of our widowed mothers over for a joint Mother's Day dinner, picked them … Continue reading Fixing Someone’s Drip Line →

I was never that much into David Bowie until I started playing in “casuals” bands – weddings, parties, Catholic Singles Dances – in the early 80’s.  Then I developed a keen interest in his music as it reflected the pop music of the immediate past and presaged the music of the immediate future (a saddle-point … Continue reading E-mail to Al, on Discovering Bowie →

In 1964, my parents signed me up for Little League. I wanted to be #7, like Mickey Mantle, and a switch hitter, too. Maybe roam center field like the Mick. Alas, I was slow afoot and a natural right hander, but I could catch the ball better than almost every other kid on the Tigers … Continue reading Little League: Impression One →

I woke up earlier than normal, and I took a shower and put on clean clothes.  I pulled my hair back in a ponytail so the doctor could get at the sutures in my ear, and I did it without getting the Sciunci tie tangled up in my fingers.  I reached the doctor’s with 20 … Continue reading A Milestone Day, Working from Home →

The first thing you'll notice about Hillcrest is that there's a lot of foot traffic, at least in the downtown area. The second thing you'll notice is how difficult it is to find parking on a Saturday evening. Possibly the third thing you'll notice is the number of young men wearing tight shorts and T … Continue reading Hillcrest Parking Meters →