When my kids were young, up early at five o’clock, wired and awake, and me trying to catch up with bolshy big cups of stove-top espresso, we read. We read The Cat in the Hat, and Thomas the Train, and Pajama Time, and Harold and the Purple Crayon, and a hundred other books over and … Continue reading Kubrick, Chandoha, Harold, and a Purple Crayon
Month: December 2023
At the Checkout
As soon as I pause, she swoops in to assist. I always pause. I need a moment to count items in my head, or figure out how to enter my rewards card, or wonder who that was who said ‘Hi’ in aisle five. This is self-checkout at my favorite grocery store, the small one up … Continue reading At the Checkout
Telling my Story, or Not
I ran into Sandy in the hallway. “Oh, hey Jeff, this is a heads up. You're going to be formally invited to be a book in the Living Library.” Sandy’s statement probably makes no sense to you, so let me elaborate. A big trend in libraries right now is to offer patrons a chance to … Continue reading Telling my Story, or Not
Medication Management
Every time I talk with my father, which can range from three times a week to twice a day, depending on life circumstances, he asks me the same question, “What’s new?” And I tell him, “Nothing’s new,” every single time. He thinks I live the most boring life imaginable. When I hang up the phone, … Continue reading Medication Management
Charity, Mercy, Forbearance and Benevolence!
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens: I’ve read it countless times. A week or two after the calendar flips to the last page, I get the urge. This started when I moved to Gettysburg in 2005. I found it on display at the end of a library shelf—a staff recommendation. Such a tiny book, it … Continue reading Charity, Mercy, Forbearance and Benevolence!
Animosity
He gazed out the passenger window, captivated by a farmhouse as it passed them by, the mood in the car foul to match the day. A flag, outstretched but folded upon itself matted with rain, splashed a muted stain against a pewter sky. A pond stretched, roadway to stoop with grass tufts lily padding the … Continue reading Animosity
Race Day
This is the last post I'm salvaging from undercrust.blogspot.com. There's more there, but honestly nothing I feel compelled to keep. The following post was written when my OCD was still unmedicated. Take a bunch of intrusive thoughts and mix in a healthy dose of situational anxiety--this captures well what went on in my brain in … Continue reading Race Day
Robin Williams
Originally published August 15, 2014 on undercrust.blogspot.com a few days after Robin Williams died. For years, I had a boss that I really didn't like. Ed was funny and capable, but selfish. He treated his family like crap. Married with two small boys, he spent every weekend on overnight beach and camping trips with his … Continue reading Robin Williams
Slowdown Throwdown
My salvage operation of undercrust.blogspot.com continues. Today, just posting a link to YouTube. Thursday, September 4, 2014 Eli, aka DJ-E, has taken the Hannah Montana country-pop classic Hoedown Throwdown and slowed it down by 30%. The resulting song, The Slowdown Throwdown is fantastic. I think this pays nice tribute to Cyrus' voice because it does … Continue reading Slowdown Throwdown
Tidal Wave City
Originally appeared on undercrust.blogspot.com — July 27, 2015 A crashing wave packing unusual force and energy. The water hits the beach and runs. Walls breached. Houses swamped and washed away. A senseless loss. Built too close to the sea. But it's expected. Tidal Wave City has run its course. This is a beach game. An … Continue reading Tidal Wave City
The Other Stuff 