As I turned the key in the lock and closed the deadbolt on the door to our little Emeryville bungalow, I paused. This would be the last time we would be leaving our house as “just” a couple. Just us two. If all went well, when we returned, it would be as a family…three of …
The best hamburger I ever had
The following piece I wrote about 20 years ago after a discussion began at my work about the best hamburgers in town. I’m reposting here along with a few other older writings that used to be posted to my web page. I’ve added a few corrections including the name of the proprietor of the hamburger …
Two Pennies
“I woke up this morning thinking of coins…”
Two Divergent Paths
Last November, after 23 years, 8 Months and 26 days (but who’s counting) working for the same company, in the same town, in the same organization, I was laid off from my job as a Premium Corporate Support Manager for a large computer tech company. This situation is not an uncommon occurrence in any industry, …
The Homecoming by William Henry Mackey, Jr.
This is the prologue to the book “Down Home: My Return to the Georgia Backwoods” written by my father early 1970’s. The book is an exploration of the area in rural Georgia that he grew up in and how it changed in the 50 years since he was born there, especially focusing on the history …
Death of a Cultural Hero
The cover of this week’s New York Magazine features 35 of the women who were assaulted/raped by Bill Cosby. I, like many people, was shocked last year to hear of the allegations against Bill Cosby. At first, my reaction was, as it apparently was for many, a vague disbelief. Couldn’t be. Not Bill Cosby. Not …
289 Steps
I wrote the following the day after my visit to Omaha Beach in Normandy in September, 2013. Sharing it for Memorial Day. 289 Steps. Nothing particularly notable about that. Walking leisurely, it took me a little over 2 minutes to walk those 289 steps. It was not a physically challenging thing to do. Something I …
Remembering Ken
It’s been 10 years today since my friend Ken Kesey passed away. It is unfathomable to me that is has been so long. So many things have happened…. and so many conversations that haven’t since then because he wasn’t around to discuss and/or pontificate about them. I often find myself thinking about a current event …
Jenni, Melise and Jack
February 27th, 2011 In the wake of the deaths of Connor Ausland and Jack Harnsongkram I’ve spent a lot of time recently reflecting on the meaning of life, or, more specifically, the meaning of what we leave behind us when we die. I have some friends who maintain a level and type of faith that leads …
The Sea does not care….
The Sea does not care The Sea does not know The Sea is not angry, nor is it vengeful The Sea expresses neither wrath, nor benevolence in the movement of it’s tides The Sea cannot differentiate between a piece of discarded styrofoam floating upon its surface and the body of a friend taken by its waves The Sea does not care The Sea …