There are certain people society has taught us to trust and respect, like doctors, judges and the police. In my life I have found out the painful truth about these people one catastrophe at a…
Posts published in “Essays”
Samuel Carr, who turned state’s evidence against his fellow Mendocino Outlaws, served two years in the state penitentiary then gained his release in May, 1882. Later that year, Doc Standley was elected Sheriff of Mendocino…
An unexpected darkness has recently fallen over the seafloor of the Northern California coast – the shadows cast by bull kelp. The giant marine alga nearly vanished after a perfect storm of environmental and ecological…
My friend drove me up to the doctor in Eureka in the pickup I lent him while his car was being repaired. I had been seeing my PA in Arcata but wanted a second opinion—no…
There’s a new John Mitchell in town. Like Nixon’s attorney general, the lawyer who wrote the Texas anti-abortion bill that took effect Sept. 1 and was promptly upheld by the US Supreme Court, is said…
One of my longtime favorite friends is Len Finocchio, who besides being a bigshot health expert with a doctorate in public health is a former chef, father to a young son, jazz aficionado, wandering hiker…
Healthcare is not usually funny. However, there are eighty-seven certified clowns working in hospitals across the Czech Republic. Once in awhile you get an idea for an article or column, but by the time you…
Twenty or so years ago those of my generation began reviewing their pensions and plotting their retirements. Anywhere from San Diego to Vermont would do, or from Denver to Mexico. All were potential retirement destination…