In Iraq yesterday, as part of our new mission to “train and advise” local soldiers fighting the Islamic State, the U.S. led a commando raid to rescue 70 hostages. The Army Times today reported the name of the American soldier killed in the raid: Master Sgt. Joshua L. Wheeler, 39, died Thursday in Iraq’s Kirkuk province from wounds … read more There will be more
Tag: 2014
The plumber’s daughter
Most folks do not look forward to a discussion about septic tanks, I’m told. I do, though. We had a local construction guy, Chris, out to the cabin today, to look over our septic and water supply situation, and I anticipated it with a kind of glee. Toilets, gas lines, water lines, furnaces, AC, gray water, … read more The plumber’s daughter
Day 86: Broken glass
When I was a kid, I used to accumulate burnt-out light bulbs in a paper bag and then take them down to the river to smash against the rocks. In my twenties, it was vodka and gin bottles. Last year, I got so mad at my computer that I hurled a glass of water against a … read more Day 86: Broken glass
Day 79: Sitting with myself
I’ve been sitting for 56 years. You’d think I would have mastered it by now. But no. Today I couldn’t sit at the table and eat breakfast. I hopped around, doing dishes, doing laundry, noshing on random bites to eat. At my desk I shifted, adjusted my chair, stretched, got up again. Jumped from one browser tab … read more Day 79: Sitting with myself
Day 67: Contours
He had no sharp angles. Every part of him offered curved lines. Every muscle had definition and volume. The model was perfect for drawing cross-contour lines… the lines which we practiced in the exercise for today, my first class in figure drawing. First, the “swoop” – the gesture line that describes the basic posture, following … read more Day 67: Contours
Day 56: E pluribus unum
When the penny was redesigned in 2009-10, the new reverse side featured a shield. The slogan E pluribus unum – “from many, one” – became larger. In the last few days, I’ve wondered if there is anything which we all agree on. Surely we all agree that the murder of innocents is wrong and that … read more Day 56: E pluribus unum
Day 41: The bag mark
It’s a rare day that I don’t have a bruise somewhere on my body. Usually on my legs, but sometimes on my arms or hands. No, I don’t have a Vitamin C deficiency, and no, I’m not being beaten. I just run into things – short tables, counter edges – or they fall on me, … read more Day 41: The bag mark
Day 39: Make it stop
I laughed out loud at the headline in our local newspaper: “Pain often comes with age.” Now there’s a news flash. Mostly, I don’t mind getting older. I make better decisions, I don’t get as agitated, I’m not quite as restless. But at times I quote my mother: “It’s hell to get old,” she used … read more Day 39: Make it stop
Day 19: The word of the law
In a previous post, I speculated that I might possibly be an outlaw for using $162 in pennies to create a sculpture. Today I decided to get to the bottom of this, and I did what few people bother to do on such questions: I dug up the actual law and read it. Although there … read more Day 19: The word of the law
Day 15: Sorted
Brits use the term “sorted” in a way I’ve come to like. “Well that’s sorted” refers to a problem that’s been solved, an activity that’s been organized or a task that’s been accomplished. I like to sort things. I like to solve problems most of all – it’s one of my favorite things in any job. But also … read more Day 15: Sorted