Category Archives: Friendship

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 | Leave a comment

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

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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 | Leave a comment

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 | Leave a comment

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 | Leave a comment

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 | Leave a comment

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