Category Archives: Uncategorized

The system of lethal injection in Ohio is creepy enough. But shooting people? We just did that today in Utah, in 21st century America. What about the shooters — the state employees we pay to shoot a guy? Like the Ohio … Continue reading →

John was sure to run across the box holding the new hammock before our anniversary (Thursday) and ruin the surprise, so I decided to put it together today. Luckily, son Doug was enjoying a day off work; he skillfully interpreted the instructions (insert part … Continue reading →

The Ohio Parole Board has recommended clemency for Richard Nields, scheduled to die on June 10, 2010. This is an unusual step. The Board under Governor Strickland has recommended clemency (life in prison without parole) only twice before. Once the … Continue reading →

Today our dog, fourteen years old, snapped at a kid at the park who dared to pet him. The other day he snapped at the vet who was only, after all, attempting to remove some blood from his body. I … Continue reading →

So now we know. An analysis of the audiotape made on May 4, 1970, at Kent State indicates that the National Guardsmen were ordered to fire. So much for the “young, untrained, panicky troops” argument. That one always seemed fishy: … Continue reading →

As soon as I sat down on the big hill in front of Taylor Hall today, I thought, “Oh, sh…I’m going to get sunburned.” What a beautiful day it was today at Kent State, and my cheeks are bright red. I was … Continue reading →

Years ago, I taught high-school English and Latin. Sometimes it was fun: students were lively and silly and often sweet, and I enjoyed teaching literature and, yes, even grammar. But there was a lot I didn’t like. I didn’t enjoy … Continue reading →

Recently a Cleveland State student said to me, quite empathetically, “I was wondering how you guys wrote papers.” By “you guys,” she meant “old people.” She meant “back in the day.” She went on: “I guess you had to actually, physically travel to the library, … Continue reading →

Today I attended a funeral mass celebrated by a priest who has lived and worked in the same neighborhood for over thirty years. Four generations of the family were present, and the priest knew them all. He knew the great-grandmother … Continue reading →

I just became aware of a weird habit that may be unique to me but probably isn’t. First, I should explain that when we attend plays and concerts, we usually buy cheap balcony tickets. Touring company actors and concert soloists … Continue reading →