Category Archives: Essays

A polarized halloween – 2 views, neither accurate

Posted on October 30, 2016 by Jim deMaine

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 →

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Worry begets worry as the news cycle dominates

Posted on October 28, 2016 by Jim deMaine

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 →

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AT&T CEO confronts racial tension

Posted on October 26, 2016 by Jim deMaine

“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 →

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A lethal injection

Posted on October 23, 2016 by Jim deMaine

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

Posted on October 23, 2016 by Jim deMaine

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

Posted on October 23, 2016 by Jim deMaine

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 →

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“Souls are not saved in bundles. Love is the necessary force.”

Posted on October 20, 2016 by Jim deMaine

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

Posted on October 1, 2016 by Jim deMaine

“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 →

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These Capitol Hill senior citizens are on a mission to find fun … and even empowerment

Posted on September 19, 2016 by Jim deMaine

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 | 1 Comment

Why Is Penn State Celebrating Joe Paterno?

Posted on September 17, 2016 by Jim deMaine

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 →

Posted in Essays, Sports | 1 Comment

A view of Hillary by Garrison Keillor

Posted on September 14, 2016 by Jim deMaine

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 →

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Writing a “last letter”

Posted on September 7, 2016 by Jim deMaine

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 | 1 Comment

Local Hikes

Posted on August 26, 2016 by Jim deMaine

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 | 1 Comment

Attitude, happiness, and second thoughts

Posted on August 23, 2016 by Jim deMaine

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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What attitude should I take?

Posted on August 18, 2016 by Jim deMaine

Every once in a while I fear I may be becoming a grumbling curmudgeon. “Things are all messed up, my prejudices aren’t being respected, etc., etc., etc.” But then I witness the silent heroes – those paralyzed but smiling, those … Continue reading →

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How to Live Wisely

Posted on August 13, 2016 by Jim deMaine

“How to Live Wisely” is a subject that we may have pondered over the years as we made life choices. However, no one really asked me this question when I was on the way to choosing a major, career or determining … Continue reading →

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What is a Gift?

Posted on August 7, 2016 by Jim deMaine

In 1993 the volume “Finding Your Strength in Difficult Times: A Book of Meditations” by David Viscott was published. The author was a psychiatrist who hosted a pioneering radio talk show in the 1980s and 1990s during which he provided … Continue reading →

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Seven Tips for Embracing Retirement

Posted on August 7, 2016 by Jim deMaine

From Crosscut:  Anthony B. Robinson was the Senior Minister of Plymouth Church in downtown Seattle from 1990 to 2004. He was also a member of the Plymouth Housing Group Board. After living for many years in southeast Seattle, he moved … Continue reading →

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DONALD TRUMP’S GHOSTWRITER TELLS ALL

Posted on July 23, 2016 by Jim deMaine

Tony Schwartz (from left), Ivana Trump, photographer Francesco Scavullo and Donald Trump celebrate the publication of Donald Trump’s 1987 book, The Art of the Deal, which was ghostwritten by Schwartz. Jane Mayer writes about Donald Trump’s ghostwriter, Tony Schwartz,  in … Continue reading →

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