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Category Archives: Friendship
Unmet Friend
Janet, as requested. I met my friend in a Facebook group created to connect people who grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas. The purpose of the group, as I recall, was to reminisce about the city’s twentieth century history. How … Continue reading
Posted in Friendship
8 Comments
Luck is a Happy Delusion
Many of the most impactful events of our lives are governed by happenstance. They are just accidents of time and circumstance that intersect at malleable moments. People with whom we become lifelong friends or lifelong enemies; our spouses; careers we … Continue reading
Posted in Friendship
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Exploring an Empty Barrel
I spent part of the last hour of this morning reading bits and pieces of about six months’ worth of newsletters from the Lake Chapala Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. I’m not sure just why I found my way there. I started … Continue reading
Posted in Friendship, Philosophy, Religion, Stream of Consciousness
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Learning Something Every Day
I spent much of the day yesterday in tourist-host mode, first accompanying a visiting friend to bathhouse row in Hot Springs, followed by a short stroll along Central Avenue, popping into a few shops and otherwise behaving as a tourist … Continue reading
Posted in Friendship, History, Philosophy
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Musings on Marriage
Today is our thirty-ninth anniversary. Despite my remarkably flawed personality, she has opted to tough it out all these years. Based on the experience so far, I guess our marriage is going to last. And I’m very glad and grateful … Continue reading
Posted in Friendship, Love, Marriage
2 Comments
Friends versus Acquaintances
Last night, the concepts of “friend” versus “acquaintance” spun through my mind. I won’t try to explain why, because I think the explanation would only serve to erroneously paint me as a depressed skeptic. I’d rather think of myself as … Continue reading
Posted in Friendship, Philosophy
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Discomfiture Made Me Do It
The shame and discomfiture of my inactive fingers overtakes me; I must post SOMETHING on this blog or admit I am not a writer. It’s been more than a week since I posted an incoherent soul-search that attempted to discover … Continue reading
Posted in Absurdist Fantasy, Booze, Food, Friendship, Weather
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Stronger Than I Thought
I’ve broken out of my dry spell, discussed just two posts ago, I guess. First, it was the roadrunner, photos of which I posted earlier today, and now it’s a memory that haunts me and touches me in ways I cannot … Continue reading
Posted in Emotion, Friendship, Memories, Poetry
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Feasting with Friends
My failure to photographically record yesterday’s food frenzy is unfathomable. How could I, after spending the better part of two days preparing an extraordinary feast, forget to take pictures of the final product? I cannot explain. I cannot justify my oversight. … Continue reading
Posted in Food, Friendship
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The Year in Pictures (of food)
Anyone who knows me knows I have this thing about food. I really enjoy cooking and eating and, as the collage above attests, taking pictures of food. Food is more than flavor and texture; it is eye candy, as well. … Continue reading
Posted in Family, Food, Friendship
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Shades of Gray
I woke up to face a reality I did not expect to endure. It’s a reality that never occurred to me, really. A reality that suggests I may be out of touch with reality in some fundamental ways; ways that … Continue reading
Posted in Compassion, Emotion, Friendship
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Dribs and Drabs of Dallas
The drive to Dallas was wet, especially early on as we left Hot Springs Village. Rain swept over the car in torrents, giving the windshield wipers a challenge they barely met. Once we merged onto I-30, about thirty-five miles from … Continue reading
Posted in Food, Friendship, Just Thinking, Travel
2 Comments
Voices and Memories and Energy
The last swallow of coffee is cold but, surprisingly, energizing. I look at my cup and wonder how I could have let that little bit of coffee sit, unattended and unswallowed, for so long. Ah, I know. I was writing … Continue reading
Posted in Emotion, Family, Friendship, Health, Poetry, Walking
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Millstone
But whoever shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. That—from Matthew 18:6 … Continue reading
Posted in Emotion, Friendship, Philosophy
4 Comments
Beer, Bathing & Wine
Last night was a joy. Friends from Dallas arrived and we enjoyed good food, marvelous libations, great conversation, and camaraderie. My sister-in-law was thrilled, as was I, that our friends’ arrival meant the delivery of three cases of wine not … Continue reading
Posted in Food, Friendship, Just Thinking, Nudity
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Lonely Soulmates
The world, with all its billions of people, can be a lonely place for people whose ideas and attitudes don’t quite fit the norm. Though there must be someone among all those billions who share quirky ideas and attitudes, it’s hard … Continue reading
Posted in Emotion, Friendship, Just Thinking
2 Comments
Gourmet, Anyone?
Last night, we joined two other couples at Pulaski Technical College for a dinner prepared and served by students of the Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management Institute. The facility serves dinners (and lunch) two or three times per week to give … Continue reading
Posted in Food, Friendship
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Tough Days
Yesterday was a tough day, as I learned from a friend that she was afraid her husband, also a friend, might be dying. Just a few days ago, he was taken from the rehab center where he is undergoing physical … Continue reading
Posted in Aging, Death, Friendship, Health
3 Comments
Face-to-Face Bloggery
Let’s see, now, I’ve met, face-to-face, several people through social media. Teresa. Robin and Roger. Tara. Juan. Kathy. Kathy. Cari. Soon, I’ll meet another, Holly. In spite of my occasional rants about how social media tends to be a vacuum … Continue reading
Posted in Communication, Friendship, Just Thinking, Writing
1 Comment
Not Bothered by Paraskavedekatriaphobia
Tonight, we will attend “trivia night,” an event that supports an organization that, in turn, supports the Village library. We are sitting at one of two tables of eight organized by members of the Village Writers’ Club. Inasmuch as today … Continue reading
Posted in Food, Friendship
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My Friends
I got an unexpected and unpleasant phone call tonight. A friend called to say her husband is back in the hospital and, depending on the outcome of tests and evaluations and assessments, may not come home. He may have to … Continue reading
Posted in Friendship, Health
1 Comment
Tamale Fest
I spent almost the entire day yesterday—well, from 11:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m—working in the kitchen, preparing for today’s long-awaited tamale fest. A couple of friends who have been after me to have a tamale party for more than twenty years (long … Continue reading
Posted in Food, Friendship
1 Comment
The Technology of Caring and Social Change
Sometimes, I question the value of Facebook, thinking with some degree of certainty that it is simply a narcissism-fueled vehicle, hurling its cargo toward self-inflicted ego implosion. But then, every once in a while, I see evidence that the technology and foundation … Continue reading
Posted in Compassion, Friendship, Love, Technology
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Big Jim: Loss of a Good Man
This post will mean something only to one person, my good friend who is an occasional reader. That is fine; it’s written entirely for him and his family. My friend, I was so very sorry to learn of your father’s death. … Continue reading
Posted in Death, Friendship, Memories
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About Last Night and Tomorrow
Our next door neighbors invited us to dinner last night, along with a couple up the street (at whose house my wife plays cards on Tuesday nights) and my wife’s sister. It was an early event, beginning at four o’clock … Continue reading
Posted in Depression, Friendship
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Beautiful Day
Art brings people closer, compelling them to think and to consider ideas and perspectives unlike any they had considered before. “What was the artist thinking?” “What does it mean?” “How does this piece of art fit into my view of … Continue reading
Posted in Art, Food, Friendship
3 Comments
Niña and Pinta and Friends
Yesterday was a full day. a drive to Fort Smith, some time examining two near full-size replicas of the Niña and Pinta (and recoiling at the thought of crossing the Atlantic in them), a visit to a very large and … Continue reading
Posted in Friendship, Philosophy
1 Comment
Up in Flames?
I remember it like it was yesterday. But it wasn’t yesterday. It was probably forty-five years ago. That would have made me fifteen or sixteen years old. No, now that I think of it, I may have been younger, maybe thirteen. … Continue reading
Posted in Friendship, Writing
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Learning About the Past
One result of the recent visit by friends from the early years of our marriage was a jarring of our memories. During conversations about our mutual histories, our friends mentioned the name of the man who joined my wife and … Continue reading
Posted in Friendship, Love
3 Comments
Reconnecting After a Long Pause
Yesterday, a couple we have known for 35+ years came to visit. They were among the very few people we invited to our wedding in Houston, Texas. In fact, aside from the Unitarian minister and his partner (who also worked with us), … Continue reading
Posted in Friendship
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Old World Classics
We’re having friends over tonight for dinner, the only people here we know well…she used to work for me, years ago. We’re having seared scallops over spinach and risotto, with steamed asparagus on the side. Before dinner, we’ll have drinks. … Continue reading
Posted in Aging, Food, Friendship, Writing
2 Comments
Adjustments
Living in one place for a long time allows a person to get comfortable with all sorts of things: the fastest way to get from point A to point B; the “best” television stations for weather forecasts; the television channel … Continue reading
Posted in Friendship, Happiness, Moving, Philosophy, Sense of place
2 Comments
Brisket
Last night, we were treated to an excellent meal of mesquite-smoked brisket and all the appropriate condiments, German potato salad, and green salad, capped off with very good dessert. Not to mention some truly fine beer. And we started the … Continue reading
Posted in Food, Friendship
3 Comments
Friends
It’s 5:30a.m. and I’m sitting at the kitchen counter in our friends’ very nice house, thinking how fortunate I am that they are such gracious people. They are allowing us to stay with them for a couple of nights while … Continue reading
Posted in Friendship, Moving
2 Comments
Comfort
Last night, as I considered what to keep and what to give away in preparation for our impending move, I was struck by the duality of my emotions about this change. I am ready, I think, to explore new ways … Continue reading
Posted in Friendship, Moving, Philosophy
2 Comments
Sharing the Pain
Last night, a friend shared the pain of losing her pet, a cat who had been part of their family for years. She wrote, initially, that they had decided it was time to call the vet yesterday to make a … Continue reading
Posted in Death, Friendship
2 Comments
Redefining Tuesday
I wrote another post for today but after reading it again, I decided it was far too negative. The post was a scathing assessment of someone I once worked for; it was not the way to start a perfectly good … Continue reading
Posted in Friendship, Time
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What Odds are being Offered by the Facebookie?
I’ve made the decision before, more than once. The decision to abandon Facebook, that is. I suppose the most significant aspect of deciding to leave Facebook is facing the reality that my social life is almost entirely electronic. And by … Continue reading
Posted in Communication, Friendship
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Dropping In
In a post yesterday morning, I included a link to a review of a book entitled The Lonely American. Some of the content of that review has stayed on my mind. Specifically, this comment has been on my mind: “neighbors are afraid … Continue reading
Posted in Communication, Friendship
10 Comments
Poems I Want to Read
During a recent visit with a couple who hosted us on a trip to explore where we might want to live, I learned of a book of poetry I want to read. I want to know; have you read it? … Continue reading
Posted in Friendship, Poetry
3 Comments
Ridin’ the Rails
We’re contemplating another long trip, this time by train. I say “we,” but the contemplation is mostly mine; my wife is indulging my dreamery and allowing as to how she would be OK with the trip if I take care … Continue reading
Posted in Friendship, Travel
2 Comments
Friends
It’s not a silly question. Despite the fact that “everybody knows” what a friend is and how friendship develops and what it means to be a friend, it’s not a silly question. What is a friend? There are dozens more … Continue reading
Posted in Friendship
1 Comment
Beer’s Calming Effect
This is one of two posts for today. One is frivolous. I’ll leave it to you to decide what the other is. Yesterday’s beer haul (pun intended) included the following: 512 Whiskey Double Pecan Porter, a porter (obviously); Tilburgs Dutch … Continue reading
Posted in Beer, Friendship, Politics
2 Comments
What Friends are For
Last night, we had a nice evening; wine and dinner and conversation with a friend and his partner. My friend made Chicken Provençal, served over rice, with a nice salad on the side; excellent stuff! We always enjoy visiting with … Continue reading
Posted in Friendship, Travel
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Insomnia, Eating, and Friends
It’s four o’clock on a Friday morning and I’m up for the day, it seems. That’s not a bad thing, just a tad taxing in that it contributes to my occasional sleep deficit. I think it’s sending my body a … Continue reading
Posted in Food, Friendship, Insomnia
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Couchsurfing Guests
Our visitors, couchsurfers, from New Zealand arrived on Thursday afternoon, having traveled on a big BMW motorcycle from Odessa, Texas where they stayed the night before. The guy, Neil, had bought the motorcycle online some time ago, in preparation for … Continue reading
Posted in Couch Surfing, Friendship
3 Comments
Missing Funerals
The car rental had been confirmed and my plans were made, but plans change. I will not drive to Corpus Christi tomorrow to attend the funeral of an old friend on Friday morning. Instead, I will stay in Dallas so … Continue reading
Posted in Death, Friendship, Health
5 Comments
The Bonds of Friendship
An old friend, a friend with whom I’ve lost touch over the years, died last Friday. I know nothing of the manner of his death, only that he died. A message about his death, from a friend of a friend … Continue reading
Posted in Death, Friendship, Philosophy
1 Comment