When I was a kid, cook outs were special. They only happened in the summer. Dads would fire up the charcoal grill and drink sweaty ice cold beers. Moms would cut big slices of watermelon and shuck corn on the cob. Kids would play freeze tag, throw baseballs and “swim” in plastic backyard pools while…
Ordinary Average Guy
Many people think they are unique. Special. Different. Above average. I used to think this way myself. But life had taught me that I’m not so special. In fact, I am mostly average. Average looks – I am not incredibly attractive nor repulsive Average work ethic – I thought I worked harder than almost anyone…
Hygiene Theater
I’ve swum laps at the local city pool nearly 300 times since it reopened after the Covid lockdown in 2020. Each time I enter, my temperature is taken, I answer a series of Covid 19 screening questions and am asked my my name & phone number. All of this info is then duly recorded on a handwritten…
Embracing The Suck
Vacuuming my house always makes me feel fantastic. I own a reasonably priced upright Shark Vacuum that is easy to maneuver, works well on my wood floors & door mats, and is well designed. That makes vacuuming easy. What makes it joyous is that in 30 minutes, I can vacuum the entire house – the living room, kitchen,…
Rolling The Dice On Life
I first purchased life insurance over 25 years ago, shortly after starting my first “real” salaried job at the Pittsburgh Computer Store. At the time was I contributed about 50% to our household income and had decent credit. My wife, on the other hand, had awful credit due to her ex-husband’s business failures and didn’t…
Handle Your Business
If you want my respect then handle your business. Unemployed and need a job? Apply for jobs. Answer ads. Ask friends and family for referrals. Apply to hundreds of jobs. Take any job that gets you moving in the right direction. Can’t make ends meet? Spend less. Look for a better paying job or a…
Solo Forever?
I don’t think I’ll ever get married again and lately I’ve been thinking I may never date again. I had a happy marriage. We had unconditional love, mutual trust and companionship. We had passion, joy, children and pets. We shared our entire lives for 29 years. Much of it was wonderful. The first 15 years,…
Elimination Diet
I’ve been on an elimination run. I eat a carnivore diet – eliminating everything except meat, eggs, fish, chicken and occasionally cheese. I never turn on my phone ringer, alerts, or notifications – I check my phone and contact people when I want to rather than being subject to random calls, texts and messages. I’ve…
Pandemic Spring Update 1 Year In
Spring is here and I am loving it. Every day gives me something to appreciate. The trees are blooming with puffy pink cherry blossoms, white cottony buds, and spring green leaves. Temperatures are rising with lows in the 40s 50s then 60s so I can finally put away my winter gear for a while ????…
It’s All About You
One of the reasons I fell in love with my wife was because she was a great listener. Her big blue eyes drank me in as she paid rapt attention when I spoke. She would lean in, nod, reach out, touch me, nod, smile, gasp, furrow her brow as I spoke. She made me feel…