Self-help books and fries
We are late, my friend and I. The doors to the hall at Hoyt Sherman Place are already closed. We can hear the murmur of voices as we rush up [...]
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Posted February 03, 2021in Joe's Neighborhood
Posted January 06, 2021in Joe's Neighborhood
Old men — part 1
The boxwood stump, buried by leaves, snagged my dragging foot and landed me face-first in the soft ground. Ker-plop. No fanfare. No discussion. And certainly no dissent on the part [...]
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Posted December 02, 2020in Joe's Neighborhood
‘This is going to hurt’
“Joe, this is going to hurt.” No kidding. I lie on my back trying to visualize a white sand beach with crystal blue water and a cabana worker offering an [...]
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Posted November 04, 2020in Joe's Neighborhood
Between donuts
We sit on the bench. Both of us mouths open, heads leaned back, eyes wide. Glazed donuts melting in our hands as we watch. Clearly, no parent is in charge [...]
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Posted September 30, 2020in Joe's Neighborhood
A tree on a roof
The tree rests comfortably on the roof. Nonchalantly, really. Not a care in the world. Might as well be in a pushed-back recliner with feet up. Perhaps a cigar would [...]
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Posted September 02, 2020in Joe's Neighborhood
Naked ladies
One moment there’s nothing, the next moment — beautiful flowers. Magic. Which must be why the blossoms stand at the very tippy top as if suddenly sprouting out of the [...]
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Posted August 05, 2020in Joe's Neighborhood
A vision from a paper-towel dispenser
Would it help your pandemic doldrums if someone told you that you are special? Of course, that “someone” may be a complete lunatic. Fine. But why not pay your money [...]
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Posted July 01, 2020in Joe's Neighborhood
Social media updo
“Dad, isn’t FaceTime a great way for us to talk during this weird virus time?” The smiling face of my daughter locked down in England greets me. Lively, personable and [...]
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Posted April 01, 2020in Joe's Neighborhood
Dog lovers everywhere
“No!” It seems a simple enough word. Sure, I love my daughter and her notorious criminal accomplice, my wife, but the answer is clear. “No, never, no way will we [...]
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Posted March 04, 2020in Joe's Neighborhood
Another snow day in Iowa
They are a bit different when you’re an old man. The shovel runs smoothly along the driveway, pushing the not-too-heavy snow into the growing hill on the side. The sky [...]
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