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Posts published in “Essays”

HumCo & The Eel

In a letter that calls for “community action in a time of extreme need,” county supervisors are supporting a state grant funding request from the…

Tapestry

“In individuals, insanity is rare: but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule.” — Friedrich Nietzsche My brother sent me an email…

Farm To Farm

Temperatures are finally climbing into the mid-90s after one of the coldest, most overcast, lingering springs on recollection. Summer crops are thirsting for sunshine. Thanks…

Wine Tasting

It was around 1978 when I had my first and only Northern California “wine-tasting” experience. We were driving north to Willits, to visit Jim Gibbons, the poet, athlete, sportswriter and all-around not-very-nice person who was busy becoming famous for being able to run long distances without dropping dead, and for writing stories offensive enough to get him fired from certain positions in the local education establishment.

River Views

Hiking is in my blood, from the Highlands of Scotland to the Burren of western Ireland. One of my great uncles, Alec Robertson oft times…

Bach & Security

As has become even clearer this Fourth of July with the ongoing saga of fugitive whistleblower Edward Snowden playing out on the world stage, what…

Interdependence Day

A very large though not especially tall man is blocking the open doorway of Mendocino’s recently enlarged GoodLife Café and Bakery. This very large man…

Squirrels & Snakes & Venom: Oh My!

Nearly everyone in Mendocino County has encountered a rattlesnake. Though bites are rare, California's Northern Pacific Rattlesnake is worthy of healthy respect and is the…

Dichotomy

Once again, I feel absolutely compelled to respond to another of Mark Scaramella’s front page articles, this one in the July 3rd edition, on boozing…

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