There, I Said It!
Trauma and Humor: A Bad Combination
If you follow me on Facebook, then you might have guessed there would be an upcoming blog about the passing of our sweet poodle, Charlie. He would have been 15 years old in December, which is a good run for any dog. He'd been sick the last 2 1/2 years with congestive...
What’s in a Word?
The other day, I was watching an old movie and it occurred to me that there are so many words that are no longer in vogue. For instance, pocketbook. No one uses that word anymore. My grandmother did, but then she's been gone since 1972. Or valise. When was the last...
Ten More Tips For A Happy LIfe
A few months back, I wrote a blog about being happy. Now for those of you who personally know me, that might come as a surprise. I don't put out that kind of energy. I'm not a happy-go-lucky type of guy. I'm more of a worrier. Like Dave in my debut novel. The...
Here a Psychic, There a Psychic, Everywhere, a Psychic, Psychic
Phoenix has been overrun. And I'm not referring to ants. Though, if you leave food on your counters—ants will surely show up. I'm referring to psychics. In Phoenix, there seems to be one on every corner. Find a Starbucks—find a psychic. Tarot cards, horoscopes, palm...
Why Can’t We Bequeath Our Friends When We Die?
My dear friend Harold recently passed away. A lovely guy whose friends rallied to his side in his time of need. I was amazed. Harold was in the hospital for weeks and never alone. Friends circled like carebears. And as I watched the love, I came to realize the...
Why Is There So Much Movie Violence?
It's a perfectly lovely summer day in Phoenix and I've just returned from the movies where we go to retreat from the heat once we've dried off from our dip in the pool. But today, I feel rattled, unnerved, unsettled. We've just seen a supposed comedy masquerading as...
If You’re A Baby Boomer, Does Anyone Still Want to Hear Your Opinion?
Back in the 1980s, I attended a seminar at the University of Michigan. It was an insightful week. We learned about market research, market analysis, and how to create a marketing plan. But the most powerful message wasn’t about the tools. It was about the Baby...
Oh, But How I’ve Missed You!
Pop the champagne! Sound the bugles. I'm back. There, I Said It! is once again up and running after a few weeks of hiatus. Did I run out of things to say? Was I hobbled by a broken finger, unable to type? Did my agile mind have a momentary slip? No. Not at all. But I...
Lessons I’ve Learned from My Dog About Aging
Every morning at 6:00 a.m., Charlie, our miniature apricot poodle, stands up on the bed and does a brisk shake. It's time to get up and walk the neighborhood. And even though I sometimes want to stay in bed longer, I've come to understand that my dog has a lot to...