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Category Archives: Essays
Ruminating on the present from the past
“Once you hear the details of victory, it is hard to distinguish it from a defeat.”— Jean-Paul Sartre “In politics, stupidity is not a handicap.” — Napoleon Bonaparte “What’s past is prologue” wrote William Shakespeare “The pessimist sees difficulty in … Continue reading
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Wise Words From Some Of The Celebrities Who Died In 2016
From Scott Simon on NPR: “There’s been a lot of death in the news these last few days, between Syria and several celebrities. As we close the year, we might recall some things said by some people we lost that … Continue reading
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Dawn Walk
Dawn Walk – Edward Hirsch Some nights when you’re asleep Deep under the covers, far away, Slowly curling yourself back Into a childhood no one Living will ever remember Now that your parents touch hands Under the ground As they … Continue reading
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If only
If Only by Catherine Pulsifer If only every day Held the spirit of Christmas day To capture that feeling always Year round would be the best way If only every day We would be so kind To our fellow man … Continue reading
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To Die of Having Lived
Published author Rick Rapport has written about his personal experiences with patients, doctors and families in crisis when near death. Dr. Rapport is a colleague and Clinical Professor of Neurosurgery at nearby Harborview Hospital. He has given permission to link … Continue reading
Posted in Education, Essays, Health
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This is the final resting place of your cast-off clothing
From Aeon: “When people in the West throw their clothes away, their cast-offs often go on a journey east, across the oceans, to India’s industrial interior. From the Kutch District of western India to the northern city of Panipat, garment … Continue reading
Sans Teeth, Sans Eyes? Shakespeare’s Views on Aging Aren’t That Simple
“With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come.” Shakespeare’s views on aging are evaluated in the following essay. As the psychologist author says, innumerable studies still could still be done to evaluate the complex and conflicting ideas expressed in Shakespeare’s … Continue reading
Posted in Aging Sites, Essays
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What’s happening to our country? – a view by Rev. William Malcolmson
A friend send me this thoughtful commentary about our country. It’s both discouraging and uplifting in that it at least tries to analyze what’s going on in an historical sense. I converse with my 85 year old sister regularly in … Continue reading
A Neurosurgeon’s Crisis
What would you do if you were a 36 year old Neurosurgeon finishing a grueling 6 year training program at Stanford, a rising superstar, married, but just diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer? The cancer is treatable but … Continue reading
What’s your prize?
From Rosemary W. THE MAGIC BANK ACCOUNT THE AUTHOR IS NOT KNOWN. IT WAS FOUND IN THE BILLFOLD OF COACH PAUL BEAR BRYANT, ALABAMA, AFTER HE DIED IN 1982 Imagine that you had won the Following *PRIZE* in a contest: Each morning your … Continue reading
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Judge John Hodgman on a Married Couple’s Bigger Bed
From the NYT: “Jeff writes: My wife and I sleep on an old full-size bed and are in need of a new one. I would like to buy another full because I am afraid if we start allowing space between … Continue reading
A polarized halloween – 2 views, neither accurate
A Republican Halloween: “We give the first 1% of kids to our door all the candy and trust that they will give adequate shares to all of the other kids…” Or is it a Democrat Halloween, “where you confiscate from … Continue reading
Worry begets worry as the news cycle dominates
How much do we worry? Likely more than is healthy. And worry often is simply ineffective. A well known Bible story emphasizes worry’s futility: in Matthew 6 “Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap; they have no storehouse or … Continue reading
AT&T CEO confronts racial tension
“Randall Stephenson runs AT&T. If shareholders, and ultimately regulators, approve, he is also going to run Time Warner after buying the entertainment conglomerate for more than $80 billion. “So you should probably know who he is. Here’s one way to … Continue reading
Posted in Business, Essays, Race, Social justice
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A lethal injection
I entered the exam room as an intravenous catheter was being inserted expertly. The procedure had been explained to me. I wanted to be there to comfort my friend in his last moments. Life had been getting difficult and the … Continue reading
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A visitor in the operating room
It was Trevor’s first weekend to relax since moving to Seattle. He was out in a park walking Bailey, his year old lab, when his pager unexpectedly beeped. He called in to the operating room office, where the frantic head … Continue reading
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How the yo-yo put a troubled young man on the path of playful salvation
From Aeon: “Growing up in a poor, violence-stricken section of Baltimore in Maryland, Coffin Nachtmahr was bullied for having a stutter and not fitting into ‘any specific molds’. In high school, he was angry, prone to fights, and struggling with … Continue reading
Posted in Essays, Social justice, Sport
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“Souls are not saved in bundles. Love is the necessary force.”
Sue P. recommends this Op-ed piece by David Brooks from the NYT. It deals with the healing effects of eating and sharing around the dining room table. The power of this is amazing for the young people with fragmented lives … Continue reading
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The Art of Condolence
“Offering a written expression of condolence (from the Latin word condolere, to grieve or to suffer with someone) used to be a staple of polite society. ‘A letter of condolence may be abrupt, badly constructed, ungrammatical — never mind,’ advised … Continue reading
Posted in Essays, Remembrances
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These Capitol Hill senior citizens are on a mission to find fun … and even empowerment
Sylvia Peterson sent in a comment and mentioned this interesting article from the Seattle Times. It sounds like not only a senior “meet-up” gathering for conversation and friendship but also scouting out and supporting local senior-friendly restaurants. I’m sure we’ve … Continue reading
Posted in Essays, In the Neighborhood
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Why Is Penn State Celebrating Joe Paterno?
Is it right? Is Penn State still Penn State without Joe Paterno? A lot of negative comments were received when a critical article of the celebration of Joe Paterno was published. “Before Lauren Davis finished writing her editorial about Joe … Continue reading
A view of Hillary by Garrison Keillor
Garrison Keillor from Sally Parks: “I saw Hillary once working a rope line for more than an hour, a Secret Service man holding her firmly by the hips as she leaned over the rope and reached into the mass of … Continue reading
Writing a “last letter”
Many years ago, my Mom died unexpectedly after an operation. The shock to all of us, especially my father, was profound. As we went through my Mom’s papers, we found an envelope addressed, “In case something happens to me.” Basically … Continue reading
Posted in Essays, Remembrances
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Local Hikes
Sometimes I’m asked about hiking in the Cascades or Olympics. There an incredible hiking web site from the Washington Trails Association, http://www.wta.org/. This gives you all the information you need: easy hike? elevation gain? trail condition and recent reports? It will … Continue reading
Posted in environment, Essays
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Attitude, happiness, and second thoughts
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. — Herm Albright The basic thing is that everyone wants happiness; no one wants suffering. And happiness mainly comes from … Continue reading
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