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| First Ever Blog |
| February 26th, 2026 Prompt: We're seeing more DUI (driving under the influence) related deaths. Do you feel the consequences are high enough or should they make them more severe? I know we all live in different areas, is it just in the states or is it problem where you live as well. We live in an age of (for earthlings) very high technology, including cameras and AI. Let's use these tools for something other than making more money. Something, perhaps, like preventing stupidity and, as a bonus, saving lives. History has taught us that more laws and/or harsher penalties won't stop drunk driving. Nor will it heal the trauma, injuries and deaths caused by DUI. My suggestion is to install technology on all motorized vehicles to prevent operation of the vehicle if the intended operator is impaired. Period. This would apply to all motorized vehicles, from electric bikes to jet aircraft. It would be mandatory on all new vehicles, and must be installed on all used vehicles within, say, three years. For used vehicles, the cost would be borne by the alcoholic beveridge industry. Whatever the price, it would be dwarfed by the savings in lives, long and short term injuries and trauma, insurance fees, lawyers fees, hospital fees, and every other cost brought about by drunk driving. Unfortunately, as a society we are too blindly greedy for this to happen. |
| February 19, 2026 The Olympics, have been going on for 13 days now, how do you feel about the coverage-- the variety of primetime events, the announcers? I've been happily watching my favorite sports as replays - all action, no commercials - while being amazed at the incredible skills on display. I think it's a shame there is so much nationalism attached to the games; it's the atheletes who've done all the work. |
| February 11 Write about the Olympics I don't enjoy watching the Olympics, or most any sporting event, live. Too many commercials, and if I'm rooting for an individual or team, too much tension. My heart doesn't like tension. I prefer watching events which are straightforward, that is 1) no subjective scoring, 2) no unusual obstacles (eg moguls or ramps or other competitors, and 3) sports strictly based on skill and strategy or strength. So what I focus on, in order, are curling, biathalon, and speed skating. As a curler many years ago, I know how hard it is to get the line, the spin and the weight right to put a rock where you want it. That combined with the chess-like planning that's required are what make it so watchable for me. Biathalon is a favorite because as ex-military I am amazed that those women and men work so hard on their skis and then shoot accurately with their hearts pounding...especially in the standing position. Finally, I enjoy the individual speed skating events because the competitors have to have lots of raw power, but also the knowledge and discipline to not waste it all in the first half of the event, then run out long before the finish line. Since I'm not at home when many of the events are happening live, I'm really happy that I'm able to watch full replays (commercial free). And with replays, I can pause it to visit the loo or refill a plate or drink, and I can scroll forward or backward to ensure I see everything I want, and nothing I don't. |
| January 17th, 2025 Prompt: What do you think is the most economical way to get work done? Do it yourself? Barter? Hire someone? If you've done a project recently, could you give us some ideas to help us tackle our own future projects easier. Simple. Invest in your family. Odds are at least one of your siblings will be happy to pay for a new roof (like my brother did recently) and your siblings, kids and other relatives will have a cornucopia of interests and skills to help with any projects you choose to take on. |
| January 17th, 2025 Prompt: What do you think is the most economical way to get work done? Do it yourself? Barter? Hire someone? If you've done a project recently, could you give us some ideas to help us tackle our own future projects easier. Simple. Invest in your family. Odds are at least one of your siblings will be happy to pay for a new roof (like my brother did recently) and your siblings, kids and other relatives will have a cornucopia of interests and skills to help with any projects you choose to take on. |
| January 16th, 2026 “Ten Things To Do In January" says Charmaine J. Forde Have you done anything on the list? What would you add to the list for a January activity? • Read a good book I’ve got two going right now. An Ellis Peters mystery revolving around Brother Cadfael, a 15th century Benedictine monk. And “Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar…”, a crash course in Philosophy employing lots of humor. • Get a Library Card - Got one, good at all public libraries in the area. • Walk 30 minutes a day - It’s Friday, and I’ve already logged 12 miles. • Send a Birthday card to a friend - I don’t like supporting the greeting card industry. People should make their own. • Invest in a Fitness Tracker - No thanks, the NSA and the aliens already know too much about me. • Buy a Coin jar and save those quarters and nickels - Already do. • Donate to a Charity - Most of which we wouldn’t need if our culture was based on cooperation rather than competition, and founded on principles of equality. • Volunteer 45 minutes of your time to an Organization - I do…to WdC. • Take a Yoga Class - I’ll stick with meditation. • Volunteer at Bingo night a Nursing Home - Not sure my heart could handle the excitement. |
| January 13 Write about happiness The first thing that popped into my mind was the wish, "Happy. Happy. Happy. Happy. Dead." That's the way I want to go. If you prefer you can replace Happy with Healthy. Either epitaph works for me. My second thought focused on the personality traits I was taught to look for regarding casual friends, special friends, and longtime partners. They are, in roughly this order: Kindness Kindness Kindness Happy Laughing Happy Loving Happy Learning Intelligence Curiosity Consideration Empathy Compassion Honesty Perceptive Athletic Multitalented Forgiving Patient Self-reliant Self-assured Beautiful eyes |
Day 4045 December 31 prompt: Write a New Year's Eve story. On New Year’s Eve, young roommates Kelly and Sandy were cuddling on the sofa watching “When Harry Met Sally..." They weren’t really party people, and both were very tired after having to work late at the Census Bureau in order to meet their quotas. The remains of their DoorDash delivered Korean dinner shared the long coffee table with the couple’s tired feet. It was 11:45 pm when they were startled by a knock on the door. The harried-looking man who entered identified himself as Richard Gordon, an Auditor with the Office of New Year’s Resolutions. He was here, he claimed, because neither Sandy nor Kelly had officially submitted their three resolutions for the coming year by December 30, as required by federal law. If they each presented them to him within the next 15 minutes they could avoid any penalties. Kelly blurted out, “I will do everything in my power to make Sandy happy.” “Yes,” agreed Sandy. “And I will do anything to make Kelly happy.” “Fine. Fine,” muttered Mr. Gordon. “Two more resolutions each to go. Hurry now, please.” “Um, would you like some sweet and sour pork, Mr. Gordon?” offered Kelly. “Or something to drink?” added Sandy. “No, thank you. I still have work to do before midnight. So give me your other resolutions, please” “At no time in the new year,” stammered Sandy, “will I do anything to upset Kelly.” “That goes double for me,” smiled Kelly. “I’ll do nothing to hurt Sandy in any way.” Glancing nervously at his watch, Mr.Gordon gushed, “One more from each of you right now, please!” The couple looked at each other and whispered together, “Let’s do it.” “I need your final resolutions NOW, please,” shouted Mr. Gordon. Sandy and Kelly shouted back, “We’re getting married!” “Close enough,” said Mr.Gordon, entering the last resolutions on his IPad. Just then the came another knock on the door. Without invitation, the door opened and in stepped a very official looking woman carrying an IPad of her own. “Richard Gordon,” she stated harshly. “you have missed your quota of people-without-resolutions by one. So I must impose the federally mandate penalty.” Falling to his knees, Mr. Gordon pleaded, “No! No! Anything but that!” “The law is the law. I have no choice. You must live the year 2025 over again.” |
| This is not for BCoF. This is for me. I usually write in Scrivener before posting in WdC, but I'm afraid if I did that I might be tempted to delete it. I'm writing this to sort of test out some of my beliefs. On the one hand, I do not, can not, believe in god. The story just doesn't make sense and there's too many contradictions. I'm not going to enumerate here and now, maybe in some future entry. On the other hand, I've experienced enough personal incidents and events that, in their totality, I have trouble attributing to coincidence. So where do I go from here? At the moment, I'm leaning toward a third option, a something in-between possibility. Not an omni-everything single entity, and yet not nothing. Perhaps there are one or more non-human forms of beings who share the universe with us. I think I'll stop here for today, and carry on in a few days. |
| December 11th, 2025 “It is good to love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is well done.” ― Vincent Van Gogh. Share with us some things you love, or maybe things you create. Do you agree with Van Gogh there is strength in doing what we love? ———————————————————————————————————————— I do not agree with Van Gogh. According to researchers, he suffered from numerous mental disorders and engaged in serious substance abuse. The quote above sounds to me like alcohol induced delirium. There’ve been periods in my life when I took great joy in bullying other kids, or being a team leader who loved abusing those who were under my control and were helpless to escape. I don’t feel there was any strength in such times. Perhaps if Van Gogh had better explained what he meant…but maybe he couldn't. Me? I love being with family. In small groups, and not too often. My nephew hosted a large family affair at Thanksgiving, and more than half of my relatives reported contracting a flu-like illness immediately after. I wasn’t there. I won’t say love, but I really like running, swimming, programming, reading and writing. |
| Dec 2, 2025 What is your favorite holiday song? My favorite holiday song is well...three songs, dependent on my mood. I'll start with Judy Garland's original version of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas from the 1944 movie Meet Me in St. Louis. It actually made me tear up watching the film on TV with my girlfriend's family. Not a 'cool' thing to do as a young teen, though it did make my girlfriend cuddle up much tighter. I've heard many versions of the song since then, but every other singer for some reason had to add their own styling to the song. None of them, however, could ever come close to the simple honesty of Garland's version. After the war, Frank Sinatra made a version with a few changes to the lyrics, trying to make the song more upbeat and optimistic. That's fine by me, but the wartime wording in Judy Garland's original seems to me to put more emphasis on the real spirit of the holidays, the importance of being with family. Another favorite, for the exact opposite reason, is Eartha Kitt's 1953 rendition of Santa Baby. This tune displays what I see as the 21st century version of the spirit of Christmas, exemplified by lyrics like: Come and trim my Christmas tree With some decorations bought at Tiffany's And Kitt's sultry voice provides the perfect delivery. Finally, I can't help but watch Love Actually just once every year, during the holidays. Like many others, I suspect my opinions regarding the film vary widely. But the closing montage of thousands of loved ones coming together in an airport's Arrival Terminal to the Beach Boys' God Only Knows is the ultimate expression of the whole holiday season. |
| November 22nd, 2025 November is almost over, are you ready for December's advertising barrage for the Christmas holiday? I don't know about you but I'm already being bombarded with text messages and emails for black Friday. Do you think the stores will have the revenue boost, they're hoping to get to end 2025? I’m of two minds regarding the volume and financial outlay of holiday presents this year. On the one hand, the fluctuating economy, the unsteady markets, and the erratic juggling of tariffs and tax cuts might cause a lot of folks to hold tighter to their assets until they feel things are stabilizing. On the other hand, many people have been so nervous about all those topics that they’ll use holiday gift giving the way many suffering anxiety gorge on comfort food. (How would I have survived without chocolate chip ice cream?) So how will the stores do this season? Ask me again in January. |
| November 21st, 2025 Prompt: "I was not born to work, retire and die. I was born to brood, wear a lot of black and eventually become__ When invited by such a prompt my mind immediately leaps to dozens of diverse reactions. The simple scientific response is that we are all born to procreate, thus contributing to the survival of Homo Sapiens. Everything beyond that falls into the categories of Art or Philosophy or both. Would it be truthful to say I was born to swim, dance, write software, write literature, run marathons, teach, play piano, commit various criminal acts, commit various immoral acts, learn. read, travel, procreate, be happy, be depressed, long for death, cook, clean, nurse babies, love, hate, experience joy, engender fear, help strangers, donate to worthy causes,save lives, etc, etc, etc? I’ve done all those things and countless others, but are any of them things I was born to do? Hardly. |
| October 9th, 2025 On this day in 1940 John Lennon a legendary musician whose poetic lyrics and tight harmonies (both with The Beatles and solo) helped imagine a better world was born. https://www.btboces.org/Downloads/3_Imagine%20by%20John%20Lennon.pdf Let the lyrics to Imagine inspire your entry today. What do you Imagine? ===================================== It’s a lovely little poem. Fantasy escapism. Reminds me of the weather in Camelot, where “The climate must be perfect all the year.” At least according to the desires of King Arthur (or Alan Jay Lerner & Frederick Loewe). Ah, if the world was different, if it was… not the world, but somehow unique and perfect for each individual. After all, there are people who enjoy all-day rains, and thunderstorms, and even tornadoes. And others who prefer summer all year round. How dull the world be if there were no countries, just all one culture, one language, one mode of dress. How empty our lives might be without possessions, like a keepsake from a loved one, a hand sewn dress that fits perfectly, a Harley-Davidson Low Rider always available for a spontaneous joy ride. “Imagine” is the kind of thoughts one might have relaxing in a hammock on a summer evening, savoring the comfort, the peace, the bird songs. Until a voice from back door yells, “pizza’s here!” That’s life, baby. |
| October 7 Write about losing a day Back in September, 2009 I was training for a marathon. I was along the edge of a sidestreet one moment, lying in a hospital bed the next. When I was told I was found unconscious in the gutter I couldn’t believe it. I asked the doctor what happened, he said he hoped I would tell him. I had various injuries including a broken foot and seriously bruised left shoulder. But the worst were the scrapes and bruises on my face and a pretty messed up torn lip. It didn’t seem as though I’d been hit by a vehicle as there was no trauma to my torso or legs, except for the broken foot. He then asked those concussion protocol questions and when I said today was Tuesday, he shook his head and told me it was 4pm Wednesday. The last thing I remembered it was about 10:30am the day before. I’d been out of it for some 30 hours. They kept me for another two days of blood tests, x-rays, MRIs, CAT scans and especially brain scans. After all that, they couldn’t tell me why I’d apparently passed out mid-stride. My guess…it was a combination of dehydration and an AFib event. During an AFib event the blood pressure can drop significantly. And if I were dehydrated, it’s possible my brain succumbed to a sudden drop in oxygen and fuel. And I fainted. Hitting my unprotected head on the roadway caused the loss of those 30 hours. Now, I’m not a doctor (though I did play one in a very, very off-Broadway production once), but the ‘experts’ on Google in 2009 admitted this was possible. My actual doctors said they didn’t have sufficient information to come to any conclusion. Which I understand. Anyway, it did recur one more time the following year, though not nearly so serious, so I switched from running Marathons to doing half marathons. I also suspected that an over-the-counter medication I’d used prior to both falls may have contributed to my dehydration. Immodium - for preventing the runs (the unpleasant kind of runs). It says right in the instructions it can cause dehydration. So I stopped using that and decided to try eating better. Knock wood, it’s never happened again. |
| October 1, 2025 What is your favorite Halloween memory? I have never been a fan of Halloween. As a youngster, even in grade 6, I was pretty much a loner. I had a serious sugar craving, but generally stayed as far from chocolate as possible. I’d seen its explosive reactions on so many preteen and teen faces. So I was quite content to settle into my shared bedroom and construct whatever with Lincoln Logs and several Erector Sets. My mother wasn’t. She insisted I go out Trick or Treating. When I said I had no costume, she grabbed a 3x5 card, printed PRESS on it in big bold letters, stuck it in the hatband of one of my dad’s fedoras, and plopped it on my head. Then she threw me out. Keep in mind this was the late 1950s when suburban kids roamed the streets with no parents in sight. I latched onto a group with some familiar faces and figured I’d just tag along. It was fine. Then there came some popping noises from two blocks away followed by lots of screaming and shouting. (Unfortunately, these days you’d automatically think gunfire. But no, it was the 50s.) We all recognized it immediately as eggs hitting windshields and metal autobody parts. It was over in a few minutes. Apparently some kids from that area had successfully targeted a Chevy with a couple of high school boys. We just laughed and moved to the next house. When we got to the area of the egging, two cars turned into our street. Before they reached us the popping and splatting noises began, quite loud now. About a dozen teen boys leapt from the cars to chase down the culprits. Young kids were screaming and running in every direction. I just stood on the spot. (Too many early experiences had taught me if you run and get caught, the punishment was worse.) A pair of girls were speeding in my direction just ahead of three teens when one of them tripped sliding face first along someone’s front lawn. I knelt to help her when the older kids rushed up. The girl rolled over and eyed the teens. “Touch me and my brother Anthony will kill you,” she yelled. “Kelly and I weren’t throwing any eggs, so you can keep chasing those other kids.” She turned her head indicating where some of the kids could still be seen. One of the angry teens clearly recognized her. “Yeah, that’s Tony D’s kid sister. She’s okay. What about you?” he looked daggers at me. I opened the handles on my candy bag, holding it out for him to see. “No eggs, and not much candy either,” I said. “C’mon let’s go,” he chuckled, and they took off back to the chase. I had recognized the girl as soon as she’d rolled over on the ground. Teresa D’Angelo. Prettiest girl in my class and maybe in the entire sixth grade. I helped her to her feet and she smiled while brushing the grass off her princess costume. “Thanks, Kelly. Darn, I lost my candy collection.” “Here.” I handed her mine. “It would’ve gone straight to the trash at my house.” “I know,” she laughed, flashing a dazzling smile. “It’s just a ton of pimples in fancy wrapping.” Then she lunged forward and hugged me, planted a kiss on my cheek, then let go. “I gotta find my friends. See you in class, Kel.” When I got home, my mother asked where my loot was. I said, “I gave it away. It’s just a ton of pimples in fancy wrapping.” And I went to my room, very confused and ambivalent about how I now felt about Halloween. It turns out that was the only happy Halloween I ever had. These days I try to find a library that’s open late that night, or someplace else I can hide until it’s over. |
| September 25th, 2025 On this day in 1928, Chicago’s new Galvin Manufacturing Corporation is officially incorporated. In 1930, Galvin would introduce the Motorola radio, the first mass-produced commercial car radio. (The name had two parts: “motor” evoked cars and motion, while “ola” derived from “Victrola” and was supposed to make people think of music.) Prompt: Did you know car radios had been around this long? What year was your first car? Did you listen to the radio when you're driving or did you prefer silence? How about now music or silence? ========================================================= My first car was an eight year old, high mileage, ‘57 Ford Fairlane 500, blue and white. In a move completely out of character for them, my parents bought me the car without consultation with me, and without my ever asking. I suspect they just wanted me out of the house. In addition to providing the luxury of leaving for school a whopping 15 minutes later than when I was walking, I quickly found myself with more ‘friends.’ With very few exceptions, I was never convinced whether most of them hung out with me for me or my car. One of the exceptions was Kevin with whom I formed a comfortable co-dependent relationship. He had a surfboard, but no car. Me, the opposite. In summer, we spent countless days at the beach sharing that surfboard, rain or shine. Sometimes we had other kids with us in the Ford. Other days other friends would take the train then find us surfing or tanning. The Fairlane was solid car, regardless of the six digit odometer reading. I talked to people who knew car maintenance, including the auto shop teacher at school, and learned to do most of the work myself. Partly to save money, partly because deep down I’d learned to never really trust anyone. For the same reason, though I often listened to the rock ‘n roll stations in the area, I kept the volume moderate. I liked to sing along, since in those days you could actually hear the lyrics, but I knew better than to let someone in the back seat, or anywhere else on the road, catch me off guard. This is the result of growing up in a violently abusive family. I miss that reliable old car. |
| September 16, 2025 Write about the most beautiful thing you've seen this week. Don't have much time today, but this was too easy to pass up. Visiting my grandson this morning I stopped in front of the big hall mirror. There in my arms, tiny cheek pressed up against mine, was my great granddaughter, Terese, pointing at the reflection and radiating a smile that would put sunshine and rainbows to shame. I call her 'my joy' because nobody can look at that face and not smile. |
| September 15 What is your favorite quote or song? As a long-time runner, I’ve picked up dozens of inspirational quotes which can be used as mantras in training and races. Sometimes they can lift you out of a slow downward spiral, while at other times they can help you find another, fast gear as the finish line nears. Here’s a few: General positive mantras, good for more than just running: You got this. I can do this. I am capable. I can, I will. Keep it strong. Be strong, don't Quit. One step at a time. Do or do not, there is no try. Breathe and Believe. Always finish strong. Start where you are - Use what you have - Do what you can. If you don't move forward, you're always in the same place. The body achieves what the mind believes. Running specific: I am a runner. Run now, brunch later! Don't think, just run. This is my pace. Run tall - stay strong. Bad days happen - just finish. Run the mile you're in. Just keep running. It's not about how fast you run, it's about how far you go. This is who I am. This is what I do. Feel your run. Feel the joy that is running. Favorite songs come and go; much depends on my mood. Although many songs can change my mood. But here are some of the songs I listen to more than any others. You won’t find much in the way of recent music here. I prefer music in which I can hear, understand and relate to the lyrics. Besides, I’m old. Early Times: Dream Lover - Bobby Darin Surfin' USA - Beach Boys Kokomo - Beach Boys King of the Road - Roger Miller In Bad Times: God Only Knows - Beach Boys Around The Corner Of Your Eye - A Teens Blue - LeAnn Rimes You're Breakin' My Heart - Harry Nilson In Better Times: Come On Eileen - Dexys Midnight Runners The Longest Time - Billy Joel NSync - This I Promise You I'd Rather Ride Around With You - Reba McEntire Bop Till You Drop - The Nylons Last Dance - Donna Summer All Times: Mariah Carey - All I Want for Christmas Is You Kiss - Rock and Roll All Night |
| Prompt: “Scars have the strange power to remind us that our past is real.”--Cormac McCarthy What do your scars say about your past? My scars are primarily internal, and I have little need of them to remind me that my past was real. The few external marks I bear merely identify me as being occasionally careless, unfocused or just plain unlucky. Burns on my forearm from sizzling cooking oil; stitches on my forehead caused by colliding with the edge of a diving board while trying to impress a special spectator; a permanent bump below my left shoulder after a rocky landing from a parachute jump. Normal stuff. But they sometimes make good conversation starters or diversions. |
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