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 …
Author: Chefjuke
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 …
Why Don’t We…?
February 8th, 2011 The tragedy here in Eugene this week has me asking myself this question: “Why Don’t We…?” For those of my friends not local or who otherwise have not heard, this last Saturday two young men from my daughter’s high school, Jack and Connor, drowned when they were swept into the ocean by …
Down To A River (Alan's Song) by Connie Kaldor
Here are the lyrics to one of my favorite songs. Down To a River (Alan’s Song) by Connie Kaldor There are dinners, there’s music There is laughter there were tears There are memories that go back Over the years There are the marks made in a life Like only good friends do Now I must …
This time last year…
…I couldn’t walk. Okay, maybe I could do what might barely be considered by some to be ‘walking’…but only with significant effort. With the help of crutches. And not without experiencing excruciating pain. This time last year… My body, especially my legs, were wracked with a sudden onset of psoriatic arthritis. Inflamation in what felt …
JukeBus, Part 1…
The story of the JukeBus…
BACK in the saddle again…
Woke up one morning and could not get out of bed. ACK!
Mom’s Day…
I came across this piece I wrote for my Mom a few years back for her birthday, and thought it was wholly appropriate to pull it out for Mothers Day. A long time ago in a place far, far away… The first thing I remember is WAITING. And play-dough. Waiting for my friends to arrive …