Sunday afternoon was on the internet, at the library, searching for a room. Came back to Katrina & Mom’s house in good spirits. My sister was gone for the weekend, and Mom and I read the Sunday paper in the living room together, making pleasant conversation, except for her asking (9th and 10th time) why I don’t recline in the recliner when I sleep. … [read more]

This is Seattle. I live here. Grew up here, but other than a few brief visits I haven’t been back in 30 years. Now I’m back, to stay, but it doesn’t feel like home yet. … [read more]

On the roadside about twenty miles outside of Buffalo, MT, a herd of cattle were walking on the street. Maybe 30 of them, mostly black angus to my non-expert eye. … [read more]

I’m new to GPS, and dang, it’s science fiction to me. What’ll they think of next?

Leaving Madison and consulting my reliable paper atlas, the first night’s hotel in Sioux Falls, SD, looked like it would be easy to find, so I just input “Sioux Falls, SD” for the GPS. … [read more]

Oops. I made a fairly big mistake.

Getting ready for this move, I’ve given myself plenty of time, and acknowledged my age and general flabbiness by working at a leisurely pace. … [read more]

I was carrying a few things to the apartment’s shared shelf — inside the building, by the mailboxes — and a uniformed county deputy was standing there, writing something on his huge military-style clipboard. … [read more]

Goodwill is coming tomorrow, for all the things too big to fit in my car. Habitat for Humanity is coming on Friday, to pick up the refrigerator and chest freezer, because Goodwill doesn’t take appliances. … [read more]

I always intend to call my mother every weekend, and actually call her once a month or so. Before dialing, I need to be in exactly the right mood and mental space, but nothing could prepare me for yesterday’s opening remarks. … [read more]

If you’re getting rid of an old pepper shaker, either give it to Goodwill with the pepper still inside, or simply throw the damned thing away. … [read more]

There’s a big city in Ukraine that used to be spelled Kiev in English, but now is spelled Kyev. There’s a city in China that used to be spelled Peking in English, but now is spelled Beijing. … [read more]