Author Archives: Al

Say It Ain’t So, Joe!

Posted on July 4, 2024 by Al

George Stephanopolous is interviewing the President on Friday. Here’s what I want to see on ABC tomorrow: George S.: Mr. President, what do you say to the millions of loyal Democrats who are asking you – begging you – to … Continue reading →

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Harry & Ida, Chapter 1.i

Posted on July 3, 2024 by Al

[FIRST DRAFT – corrections and further edits probable] Ida swung gently in the double swing suspended at the bend of the porch. The sweet scent of lavender soap her mother Grace had washed with that morning drifted with in from … Continue reading →

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Eclipsed [Long Version]

Posted on April 30, 2024 by Al

Merry glanced up at the TV, which had been on continuously since nine AM. “We’ve got time,” Merry said. “They said the Eclipse starts at 3:04” “Uh, no. The moon begins to cross the sun at 1:49.” I worried our hosts didn’t grasp the nature … Continue reading →

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Eclipsed

Posted on April 29, 2024 by Al

Merry glanced up at the TV, which had been on continuously since nine AM. “We’ve got time,” Merry said. “They said the Eclipse starts at 3:04” “Uh, no. The moon begins to cross the sun at 1:49.” I worried our … Continue reading →

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Prostate Margins

Posted on April 22, 2024 by Al

Someone on Mayo Clinic Prostate chat group asked about cancer found to the margin on the prostate. I wrote: A year ago I had a robotic radical prostatectomy. Immediately after, while I was still groggy on narcotics, the surgeon told … Continue reading →

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I Hate To Run

Posted on April 10, 2024 by Al

In the New York Times today, an opinion piece appeared entitled “I Hate Running. I Trick My Brain Into Doing It Anyway.” That’s me! I had to comment: I’m glad I’m not alone. I started running at age 50 in … Continue reading →

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Climacturia

Posted on March 27, 2024 by Al

I started to experience Climacturia and Arousal Leakage a few months after my prostatectomy.  I first noticed it when I was still working on controlling urine leakage and thus quite conscious of anything which would trigger a spurt. On occasion when … Continue reading →

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Sea of Tranquility

Posted on February 12, 2024 by Al

Emily St. John Mandel’s Sea of Tranquility is a compact, complex romp through time and space. Beginning in England, 1912, she sends Edwin St. John St. Andrew (no relation!) to Canada after he embarrasses his parents at a dinner party … Continue reading →

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Birnam Wood

Posted on February 7, 2024 by Al

In Eleanor Catton’s Birnam Wood, three young New Zealanders and a middle-aged American billionaire have interwoven plans for a vacant ranch on the South Island, at the base of the (fictional) Korowai National Park. Mira Bunting, a 29-year-old horticultural student, founded a … Continue reading →

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Visitation

Posted on February 6, 2024 by Al

[Final Draft] “He likes to argue, doesn’t he?” Julana asked. “He was on the debate team in high school. It’s hard sometimes…” Cheryl responded. “Hard?” “He always has to have the last word.” Julana looked over at Michael. We were … Continue reading →

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