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Posts published in “Essays”

Differences That Shed No Light

Those inspired by my tales of triumph and glory here in North Carolina might consider moving here. Be careful. It’s not inconceivable you’d find a place in the same town I’m in or even next…

The Pray-in at Fort Jackson

Steve Kline was a Sp4 stationed at Fort Jackson when Donna Mickleson and I met him in December 1967. We were transforming a failed Tiki bar on Main St. in Columbia, South Carolina, into a…

Criminal Defense Lawyer & The Author Of Rat: J. Tony Serra

Tony Serra is a legend in courtrooms all over California and especially everywhere that marijuana growers and dealers have gone on trial. Now, he’s the author of a new book, mostly written by him, but…

The Sandbox

When a friend recently told me she was depressed again I offered some suggestions: Time to get distracted by something fun? Like a funny show or comedian on Youtube? Try to figure out how to…

May Day

In 1969, journalists Andrew Kopkind and James Ridgeway started a Washington-based biweekly newsletter called Mayday. They were soon enjoined by lawyers representing a publication of that name devoted to safe boating.  (“M’aidez” in French means…

Mark Fidrych, Shooting Star

The harsh gods of baseball have rained heavy blows upon me in recent years by stripping the name and emblem from a Cleveland team I’d been part of all my life.  Next, Oakland’s owners are…

MSA

MSA is short for “moving stuff around.” MSA goes way back in my family. I’ve been MSA-ing for 50 years because my annual income has never hit $30,000. An MSA-er moves stuff him or herself…

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