This is how I find refuge. Saturday, migraines were threatening, but Rob and I took off for Six Mile Creek, found a rock far downstream from the teenagers frolicking under the falls, and hung out. We lay in the sunshine, we made out on the warm rock, and, when things… Read full post »

 

I know the solitude my mother speaks of. It is what sustains me and protects me from my mind. It renders me fully present. I am desert. I am mountains. I am Great Salt Lake. There are other languages being spoken by wind, water, and wings. There are… Read full post »

Shaggylocks here.  Sorry I went MIA there for a bit, but I was called out of town unexpectedly and forgot--in the rush of coordinating my absence with work, school, CSA share pick up, pet care, etc.--that I also had to finish up the book discussion here.  Apologies for my sudden absence.*&n… Read full post »

 

I have never been anywhere more beautiful than the Utah desert. Just thinking of those red rocks brings me such a sense of peace. 

I am not sure where Shaggylocks is. Truth be told, I'm worried about him. We were supposed to finish discussing Tinkers this past week,… Read full post »

Alrighty, bookworms, I hope you've been enjoying Tinkers.  We'll be having our final discussion a week from today, and then we'll be starting our next book.

Our next book?  Yes, we need a next book.  What should we read next, Book Clubbers?  Please leave your suggestions in the co… Read full post »

 

 

Hi, Book Clubbers.  I hope you've been enjoying this month's selection, because I certainly have.

One of the things that has struck me while reading Tinkers is the way a passage will unexpectedly stir up something within me, causing me to put the book down… Read full post »

Hi everyone, this is Doug, aka Shaggylocks, and I'll be the new Book Club Galactic Overlord for this next go-around.   Before I introduce the next book, however, I think we must first all give Lorraine, aka fingerlakeswanderer, a rousing standing ovation for spearheading the inaugural book… Read full post »

I have a cluster headache, but I've tallied the results of the writing contest. LOOK FOR RESULTS to be posted tomorrow.

Thanks to all who participated.

Lorraine

 

 All images of the danse macabre taken from the Koch Collection of Rare Books Cornell Library. Check out the other images there--amazing, amazing collection taken from book plates and engravings in the rare book room. 

Okay, you all are going to have to help me out with this… Read full post »

My Two Fathers...

I know it's late in the game. I know I won't win anything for writing this, but I have to write it, because who knows when the chance will ever come again.

Hopefully, I can paint the picture with quick broad strokes and be mercifully brief...… Read full post »

When I was a teen, I didn't know my father. He was always in the family I just had my own take on who he was. It turned out that I was wrong. Like so many men of his generation he was bound by society to be a "man". He fought… Read full post »

I was the fourth of five children; and I can attest to the fact that by the time the fourth baby is born, the traditions that were afforded the first and maybe the second child, are just about non-existent for babies three, four, and five.

No baby shower, baby book,… Read full post »

It has come to our attention that some bitch named Lorraine believes us to be the penultimate stop on the road to hell.

She says this because we lure college students away from studying things that might actually change the world, in order to spend hours watching the two of… Read full post »

I am still getting used to the fact that my daughters are now teens. It has been hard for me to accept the fact that they are growing into young women, even though it has been going on for quite some time now, right before my very eyes. I suppose
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Hey All,

So we are going to be finishing up the Gaiman next week (the 22nd) and then, we'll need to get started on the next book in the discussion. 

 

Shaggylocks has generously offered to serve as moderator for that discussion, so after our next discussion, I'll be turning over… Read full post »

My Dad has been on my mind lately, as more and more of my friends join the quiet fraternity of the fatherless. He's a pervasive spirit, looking over my shoulder when I drink an India ale or eat a Hagen Daz bar, nodding when I cut a redundant sentence out of… Read full post »

Okay. 30 entries as of today. Deadline is 12:01 a.m. on Monday, but I want to list all of the entries so that you can click on them and vote! for the ones that you think deserving of our first "creative contest prize." I think we've guaranteed that we'll be doing… Read full post »

Before I tell you how, as a two-year old, I was my daddy’s shill, let me tell you a bit about him. Daddy was a “professional gambler,” if betting daily on greyhounds and thoroughbreds could be considered a profession rather than an addiction.

His mornings were spent at the
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Some local kids went away when the school year ended, but a different batch arrived. The town was an energy town and employment there favored men, although it didn’t support marriage well. Although they had a core of civilization — schools, churches, hospitals — oil and gas towns w
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I was the only passenger on the boat that pulled in to dock at a small rocky island in the midst of a bright blue sea. The gentle waves sparkled like diamonds, reflecting the late morning sunlight. A light breeze blew, and the air was pleasantly cool and crisp. No
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“Siempre adelante.” “Always forward.” That’s what my father-in-law said to our son each morning as the boy left for school. He said it to instill confidence and a positive outlook on life. That advice came from the depths of his being. “Siempre adelante” cou… Read full post »

You stood, nervously rocking your weight from one foot to the other. Your arms poised as if to catch the Hail Mary pass of the year. With uncertainty, (your jaw set with determination), you carefully manuevered your brand new baby girl into the cradle of your caring arms. You looked down… Read full post »

We have now hit twenty-five (25) entries in the OS BOOK CLUB CREATIVE CONTEST WITH PRIZES.

 
Please show your brother and sister bloggers some support by checking out their ruminations about fathers, being a father, fatherhood, missing fathers, and the joys of being the child of a father. If you… Read full post »

Paternity Test: How I Nearly Threw My Son Out the Window

He was just a baby. The window was quite large and inviting. It was very tempting to do it. Truth is, I never would have thought myself capable of tossing the baby out the window. I’m not a violent…

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The man who would be my father was resting on the hill side, his back against the jigsaw bark of a big Ponderosa pine.   His fingers touched the surface of the thick layer of needles that had rained down on this spot/… Read full post »