Today, the military-civilian divide is greater than at any other time in American history. The percentage of Americans who have served in the military is lower today than ever since the end of World War II. While fewer people in uniform seem like it means fewer wars, it is, in reality, a symptom of a … Read more

In case you were wondering. Here is the place Lillian and I now call home. Camarillo is a city in Ventura County, just north of Los Angeles County, along the California Coast. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 70,741. Camarillo is named for brothers Juan and Adolfo Camarillo, prominent Californios who … Read more

Packaging and Recycling These are two subjects I know little about. But you don’t have to know much before you know you don’t like something. And I don’t much care for either of these. Often, one leads to the other, but one often fails because of the other. I’ll examine one before the other as … Read more

Lillian and I traveled from just north of Los Angeles to Seattle on Amtrak’s Coast Starlight. One of their most scenic routes, the trip takes you up from Southern California along the Pacific Ocean, into the Salinas Valley, and up the Central Coast. From there, the train makes a brief stop at Jack London Square … Read more

Grammar, Punctuation, and Etiquette Oh My! In my last post, I acted as if I revered editors. As if I wrote the post to thank them for endeavoring to make my writings more precise, concise, and, dare I say – within the bounds of proper English. That was last time, not this time. This go-around, … Read more

Grammar and Punctuation, or should I say – {Parsing and Punctuation For the commally challenged,;}]   The following is dedicated to the incredible editors in my life. To correct this, they will have to leave more than a few things wrong. This will drive them nuts. e.e. cummings didn’t capitalize and yet became one of … Read more

Bums neither work nor travel. Vagrants travel but do not work. Hobos travel and sometimes work. While traveling workers have always existed in human societies, The term – hobo – can be traced to the returning veterans of the Civil War. Then, with the war finally over, hundreds of soldiers, with no money to buy … Read more

Everyone’s got talent. It’s embedded in our genes. I’m still waiting for my talent to surface and show itself. Now, in my mid-sixties, I hope it happens soon. Coordination is not my talent. My mind thinks at a different speed than my arms or legs. It’s not that one’s faster or slower, but somehow, the … Read more

You were kind of asking for this one. It’s totally your fault. The world wide web and the blogosphere are full of crackpots giving advice. I’m blogging, and you’re reading. Don’t blame me. Since you asked, here are my thoughts on advice. Both giving it and, Lord forbid, actually taking it. Back in my day. … Read more

I’m not talking about the mundane, ordinary, and necessary. I’m talking about the things imposed on us by society and, worse yet, women. Let’s skip brushing your teeth, flossing regularly, and combing your hair. Combing your hair, that is, if you have any. Boys, it’s just us here. Let’s be honest. I’ve talked about some … Read more