This morning’s headline: Police and protesters clash in St. Louis after former officer who shot black driver acquitted on murder charges. That’s a long headline! I’m getting a bit old. Edging past middle-aged. Long in the tooth. Over the hills. I grew up in a different world. A world before internet, video games and cable … Continue reading Stop or I’ll shoot!
Culture
The Man in the Woods
There isn’t a sign. No balloons on a mailbox. No bright marker to let you know you’ve arrived. There’s no handicapped parking. No health department permit, no indication that you’ve even paid sales tax. Nestled on the edge of the Appalachian Mountains, in the midst of the apple orchards and packing plants where much of … Continue reading The Man in the Woods
Angry, Old and Middle-Class
Moon Phases
I’m not an astronomer, an astrophysicist, or any other type of spacey science professional that offers me any credibility or credentialed knowledge on this topic. I studied business administration in college. Through my interests and my work, I know a lot about finance, fitness, child care and marketing. Not space. Not astronomy. But I happen … Continue reading Moon Phases
Adult
“I have a personal question.” This is Crystal, my coworker—actually, she works for me. Her voice is barely above a whisper. She’s treading on dangerous ground. This is the first conversation we’ve had. “Why is there a bird on your truck?” A couple of years ago, I drilled a pair of holes into my truck-bed … Continue reading Adult
Sweet and Naughty
“Maybe we could put a swing in our sunroom.” Yes, a swing. Two heavy ropes bolted to the ceiling supporting a plank of wood. My family now wants a swing as a novelty seat somewhere in our house. Each day we take a lunchtime break from the sun. It’s needed. Every beach session ends on … Continue reading Sweet and Naughty
Follow
When I hit follow, I mean it. Many WordPress users follow blogs simply to get a follow back. To boost their numbers. I understand this. Because it happens to me so infrequently, getting a follower is like a small hit of crack. A rush. Topping a milestone, 100, 200, etc, is something more. But I … Continue reading Follow
Flashback Friday: That’s a thing, right?
I was thinking about racial justice the other day. That's not weird, I work for a non-profit whose mission includes eliminating racism. I started thinking about Radicalized Patriots, an essay I published when my blog was new. I thought it was pretty good, but only a handful of people ever read it. It's still timely with … Continue reading Flashback Friday: That’s a thing, right?
The Lottery
When I get ticked-off at life, I play the lottery. When I’m frustrated by my earnings, by my job, by my writing, by my health, the lottery distracts me. The lottery gives me hope. I drop a buck. Always on the quick-pick. I have no premonitions. I’d be embarrassed to presume a hunch. I’m vaguely … Continue reading The Lottery
Time Travel
I read a news article this morning about time travelers. Well, I read it on the internet, and it was while I was reading the news, so I’m going to call it a news article. In truth, it was just a series photos—heavily overlaid with advertisements--showing old-timey, black and white photos from the twenties into … Continue reading Time Travel
Apple Cider Donut Cake
No, this isn’t a recipe. As I think about it, I suppose there’s some apple cider, some flour, probably some sort of lard… Not a recipe, just some thoughts. Apple cider donut cake was the most recent treat to grace our kitchen counter. Susan, on her maternal side, is a first generation American. Her Ukrainian … Continue reading Apple Cider Donut Cake
The cost of doing nothing
Today’s headlines: President Trump released an executive order to dismantle the environmental regulations put in place by the Obama administration. Trump wants to put his focus on the economy. Know what? He’s probably right. We’re going to need the money. Global heating is a train barreling into the station; a skydiver plummeting to the ground; … Continue reading The cost of doing nothing
Meaningless
Heroic feats and sacrifice are better left unsung. For those who fight too often die, and often die too young. Note (November 2023): I wrote this verse in 1984. I recently realized 'better left unsung' is a prominent lyric in the Grateful Dead song Ripple. I don't recall hearing this song prior to listening to … Continue reading Meaningless
What’s in your Heart
Me: "I feel like I should be writing about the Trump presidency. I’m not doing my part." Susan: "You need to write what’s in your heart." Susan says something like this every day. It’s a bit like living with a Buddhist monk. Of course, she’s right. I don’t pick a topic and write about it, … Continue reading What’s in your Heart
Day of Patriotism
As the world of reality TV crashes headlong into a dystopian future, President Trump calls for a Day of Patriotism. I’ve always thought that Independence Day, the good ol’ Fourth of July, was our long-standing day of patriotism, but apparently, it’s not enough. The motto of our future holiday? Love it or leave it! The … Continue reading Day of Patriotism
Carrie & George
Today, I’m revisiting a topic I wrote about over two years ago… I’m even starting with the same sentence: http://undercrust.blogspot.com/2014/11/pre-apocalypse.html I’m going to live forever. Ask my kids, they’ll tell you. They’ve been hearing about it for years. Immortality is my mantra; something I talk about constantly. For the past ten years, I’ve been boasting … Continue reading Carrie & George
Christmas Kabobs
A few days ago, Gettysburg Area Middle School served up Christmas dinner. Never mind that it’s a public school, and they should be serving a holiday dinner. We don’t wage war against Christmas here. We have a Christmas tree in the town’s center square. And a nativity scene a dozen yards away. The GAMS band … Continue reading Christmas Kabobs
Dissent is Patriotic
Dissidents. I’m guessing I became one today. The wheels, at least, are in motion. I haven’t changed, but the country has changed around me. Apparently, it’s now considered acceptable for the president to mock the disabled; or spy on non-Christian citizens; or ignore the constitution; or threaten to jail those who oppose him. Today, I … Continue reading Dissent is Patriotic
Butts
I’m not a flag-waving patriot. I don’t drink Budweiser. When I recite the Pledge of Allegiance, I edit it to more closely match my beliefs. I don’t even watch football. For a fifty-something guy born and bred in America, I don’t seem very American. On July 3, Susan and I walked out for coffee. This … Continue reading Butts
Pulling.Them.Off.
I feel like a sausage. Like fatty meat squeezed into a sheath, praying the sides don’t split open. But of course they won't. This is intended. This is supposed to look good. Susan and I are counter-culture. By that I mean we ignore societal norms. Not in a contrived “if it’s popular, I won’t do … Continue reading Pulling.Them.Off.
The Other Stuff 