Published in Curious·PinnedMember-onlyHow to Be SurprisedStay open to the wonders of the world — According to George Saunders, a work of art “has to surprise its audience, which it can do only if it has legitimately surprised its creator.” When I read that, I realized I’m not creating art. Not by a long shot. I spend heaps of time bound up, worried, self-flagellating, fighting…Magic7 min readMagic7 min read
5 days agoMember-onlyGo out into the world in peaceA benediction — Go out into the world in peace. Have courage. Hold on to what is good. Return no one evil for evil. Strengthen the fainthearted, support the weak, and help the suffering. Honor all people. Love and serve God, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. …Benediction5 min readBenediction5 min read
6 days agoMember-onlyLet’s be honestI’ve had enough fine dining to last me a lifetime. — Something interesting has happened to me. After years of trying to be on a budget, trying to be more moderate, trying to curb my desires and greed and envy, trying to cultivate gratitude, trying to avoid the siren call of pretty clothes and nice food and good wine… I have…Food5 min readFood5 min read
Jan 29Member-onlyBakery boxI have a bakery box in the kitchen with the weirdest cake it it. It actually has meat shavings on it! It’s called rousong, and it’s not shavings, but “floss” (I know, this is sounding worse by the minute). One article I skimmed said it wasn’t too different from cotton…Travel4 min readTravel4 min read
Jan 27Member-onlyWaiting to feel betterOn convalescing, making beans, roasting chicken, watching movies — My ears are ringing. It’s unpleasant. Other than that, the house and the neighborhood are quiet. The occasional truck roars by on Highway 13, a couple of blocks up the hill. I visited the dentist today. He was unable to tell me why a section of the gum below one…Sick4 min readSick4 min read
Jan 22Member-onlyAm I a hoarder?A meditation on the question — I have two bowls of Meyer lemons on the dining room table at which I type. An iron candelabra. A little dish of crunchy salt. A jar of spiced cashews. A box of matches. A Safeway receipt. A dish towel, a cloth napkin, and a washcloth. A bottle of Tylenol…Hoarding6 min readHoarding6 min read
Jan 20Member-onlyFinally caught in Covid’s gearsOn convalescing — My son recently moved into the Cloyne Court co-op at UC Berkeley. Shortly thereafter, mere days , in fact, he came down with a fever and cold symptoms. He came home, I nursed him for a day, and then, the next night, I came down with the same symptoms. Yesterday…Sick4 min readSick4 min read
Dec 16, 2022Member-onlyWhy aren’t you dating?It’s complicated. And tango isn’t helping. — It was hard enough before, what with age (I’m 54), the well-known pitfalls and disappointments of online dating, the general breakdown of society, pervasive stress, the cost of living, general confusion, what have you. But there’s an added complication, and it’s a big deal. You see, I’m an Argentine tango…Relationships7 min readRelationships7 min read
Dec 9, 2022Member-onlyMexico on the mindPlanning my escape — I spent the last five years fantasizing about moving to Italy when I made my break — when I left the corporate world, that is. Italy seemed perfect: Beautiful, romantic, with tasty food, art galore, and the rest of Europe at its feet, accessible by brief and affordable train rides…Retirement5 min readRetirement5 min read
Dec 7, 2022Member-onlyWe’re not who we think we areOn finally waking up to the finitude of life — An interesting thing happened at a milonga (an Argentine tango social dance event) recently. I was dancing with one of my favorite leaders when I missed one of his cues. I breathed, “Sorry,” in his ear. When the song ended, I said, “I still can’t…” He cut me off. “Don’t…Personal Growth7 min readPersonal Growth7 min read
