Death is the finality of existence and is void of life. It is, for most western cultures, “The End”, and sooner or later, a metaphorical last journey we all must take. Robert "Bob" Schnell World Champion Auctioneer circa 1968 In April of this year, my father-in-law (Robert - Eric’s father) passed away from complications of … Continue reading Dearly Departed
In counties Stark, Adams, and Perkins, this fruit grows bitter sweet; It’s a place juicy in memory and ripened with the heritage of family; and it calls it’s loved ones home. Heavenly skies of azure blue, with zested clouds of white, dance on an endless horizon; Roads pitted with dust and rose colored gravel, chase … Continue reading Lemmon
Clad in my Golden Girls mask, I make my way to the security checkpoint at Portland International Airport (PDX) awaiting my Alaska Airlines flight to Las Vegas, NV. This was a surprise trip to celebrate my mother’s birthday. She and my older sister Sonya were flying to Vegas from Washington state and Jean (Auntie Jean), … Continue reading COVID Confidential: Vol #5
Kids will say and do the darnedest things. I think the earliest memory of my first word was no. Not Mama or Dada. I was told that I was a cute child, and I was a tad mischievous too. When my Aunt Sally would visit, she would often catch me in an act of trickery … Continue reading Liar, Liar, Couch on Fire!
This piece is dedicated to a December without 31 days, a Major without a squadron, and a Doctor who doesn't practice medicine. For those of us with different names, these designations are real conversation starters! What’s in a name? A question penned long ago for the romantic tale Romeo and Juliet written by William Shakespeare. … Continue reading What’s in a Name?
By all American standards, my family was pretty was normal. Dad was a Master Sergeant in the US Army and Ma was the obedient wife, cook, and caretaker of my older sister and me; we even had a dog. My father and I did all the stereotypical activities expected with society’s male bonding rituals; fishing, … Continue reading You’re What?!
Judge Don't Judge...Much 