I've been thinking for some time now about getting rid of stuff. Mostly just thinking about it. I disposed of quite a lot of furniture, books, and sundry duplicate items when I sold my home in Pennsylvania and moved to Seattle. But I carried a truckload--literally--o… Read full post »

Part 1: Suicides 

Each victim of suicide gives his act a personal stamp which expresses his tempera… Read full post »

My purpose in writing this living will is to provide guidance as to my desires in the event of my illness or disability such that I become unable to manage my affairs or make known my desires and wishes for myself. To the extent possible, I assign durable power of… Read full post »

Recently I met with the family of a man in his late sixties who had had undergone emergency surgery for a bowel obstruction, then had a cardiac arrest, spent 3 weeks in the ICU, and now was in a vent-weaning facility. Second wife, three adult children, one adult grandchild. The patient was… Read full post »

If asked, people often say, when my time comes, I want to die in my own bed.

The house was dark and cluttered, close to what I would have to call dirty, smelled of cigarettes and fried fish. Her partner told me she hadn't really woken up all day, but… Read full post »