There's no denying it: I love Rachel Maddow. Our affair began a year ago when I first gazed into her gorgeous brown eyes. I was captivated by her smile and smitten by her intelligence, her eloquence, and her wondrously incisive wit. She is a rat… Read full post »

Nothing brings me more joy than seeing Jerry Bryant in the clinic. Jerry has advanced Parkinson’s disease, but he never complains. He is fifty-eight years old and inseparable from his wife, Betty. They are irrepressibly cheerful; when one laughs, the other cheers. As teenagers, they fell in lov… Read full post »

My wife and I had an argument last week. It went something like this:

Me:   Hi, sweetie. I’m home. Happy birthday!

Susan:   (Watching television) Hi, honey. How was your day?

Me:   Fine. How was yours?

Susan:   Fine.

Me:  … Read full post »

Last month, I sent an email to Tony Hayward, CEO of BP:

Dear Mr. Hayward,

I will be brief. My name is Steve Blevins and I write for Open Salon. Next week, I will be publishing a post about your role in the BP oil spill. I don’t… Read full post »

I'm a happy person. I always have been, but I can't explain it. I'm not rich. I'm not famous. I'm not handsome.   

Last week, I had an experience at Walmart that shed light on the origins of my happiness. I went to buy some items for an upcoming… Read full post »

Many of you have inquired about the writer's retreat at Mohonk Mountain. Sadly, I was unable to attend, but I managed to obtain a transcript of the opening session, which I'm sharing with you today.   

OS Writer's Group

Mohonk Mountain House

Jun… Read full post »

For many years, I've had intermittent back pain caused by a herniated disc. But I'm lucky: While many people with bad backs suffer constantly, I have only two or three attacks each year, usually when I'm gardening or lifting heavy things.  

Last… Read full post »

Last month, after six grueling months of work, I decided to go on vacation. I went to New Haven, Connecticut, for my 25th college reunion, and then to Manhattan for a week of fun. The trip was wonderful!

New Haven, Connecticut 

 %IMAG… Read full post »

On March 3, 2010 -- a day that will live in infamy -- Shaggylocks issued an Open Call, asking each of us to conduct and publish an interview with another OSer. The result was astonishing. Not since the presidency of Calvin Coolidge has a req/… Read full post »

Each weekday morning, I review my clinic schedule to see who will be visiting. With just a glance, I can predict the tenor of the day. Certain names evoke joy, others indifference, some dread. 

I still remember the first day of spring, some years ago, when my schedule augure… Read full post »

On Sunday, February 7, I will be live-blogging the Super Bowl. Although I'm not an expert in American football (cricket is my passion), I am conversant in the subject. Last night, I forwent a dalliance with Salome to immerse myself in the intric… Read full post »

OS has been astir since Cartouche came out as O'Really. Now all OSers are divulging their true names, posting their true pictures, and identifying their alter egos. At first I was inclined to stay out of the fracas, but after some consideration, I've decided to come… Read full post »

One of the joys of practicing medicine is getting to know patients. In sixteen years of practice, I’ve met some extraordinary individuals. None have been more extraordinary than Father Paul Gallatin.  

Father Gallatin is a retired Catholic priest in Oklahoma City. He&rsq… Read full post »

Question: What do you like most about OS?  

No need to answer. I know what you're going to say:  The great writing. The spirit of community. Making new friends. 

Bullshit.  

You're here for the same reason I'm here: the bitching. No, I don't mean… Read full post »

...at the next person who puts up a colo(u)r post.

I love Cat. Her idea is brilliant! It elicited some marvelous poems, essays, and pictures. I've had a blast reading them. Plus, it's great to see so many writers participating in a wonderfully creative project. The first… Read full post »

I used to enjoy Christmas.

Then one movie ruined it.

In December 2006, I was enjoying a holiday lunch with my friends at the research center. We were sitting around a beautifully decorated table covered with delicious items.&nb… Read full post »

Reflections on the events of winter 2007.

December is a good month to attend on the wards. Patients arrive with their respiratory ailments, and students discover unfamiliar lung sounds.  In thirteen years of teaching at the University of Oklahoma, I never complained about a December as… Read full post »

When I joined Open Salon eight months ago, I read poetry and political commentary. Times have changed. OS is now saturated with sexual content. It's a shame. What began as a unique and intriguing online journal has turned into a prurient tab… Read full post »

10.  Colonoscopy gone awry

9.  Acupuncture gone awry

8. Face-lift (performed by Michael Jackson's surgeon) 

7.  Cocaine (in supratherapeutic doses)

6. Clorox intoxication

5. Cardiac arrest… Read full post »

Yesterday, Cartouche pointed out that "restaurateur" was misspelled on the OS Cover. This morning I learned that my high school English teacher, Dr. Elizabeth van Hamersveld, died. This post is dedicated to the memory of Dr. van Hamersveld.  She taught me to lo… Read full post »

First, let me apologize for being away from OS. I was on vacation in Fort Lauderdale – and what a splendid vacation it was! No electronic connections – just sun, sand, and surf! And now that I'm refreshed and back in Oklahoma City, I'm cat… Read full post »

I'm a sophisticated writer, so I avoid clichés like the plague. For all intents and purposes, clichés go hand-in-hand with a lazy mind. Fortunately, most are as plain as the nose on your face and therefore easy to avoid.

When I was in school, my teache… Read full post »

I'm a selfish bastard.

When I joined Open Salon six months ago, I found literary freedom. No one questioned my choice of topics. No one restricted my hours. No one limited my space. No one charged me a red cent for the expensive techno/… Read full post »

  Environmentalism is a daunting preoccupation:

• Global warming threatens the planet
• Pollution threatens our health
• Dependance on foreign oil threatens our economy and our national security

So we recycle, plant trees, and use public transportation. But w… Read full post »