Category Archives: Memoir

VW Bus — Chapter 1

Posted on March 29, 2025 by Al

[Envisioned as the first chapter of the second section of the memoir of Cheryl & Al’s Early Days] “Right. You can tell the year of your bus by its color.” The salesman at Marina VW took another drag on his cigarette and … Continue reading →

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Road Trip — IV

Posted on March 28, 2025 by Al

[Concluded] Apparently Jim smiled all the time because he was stoned all the time. Who wouldn’t be with the world wired like he had it? As I’d never tried skiing stoned before (and don’t smoke cigarettes), he had to show … Continue reading →

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Road Trip – III

Posted on March 26, 2025 by Al

[Part Three of Four] The excitement of our gas scare had fully revived Dave, and he offered to drive. “Which way?” he said. “Just follow 93 until we get to Baldy – it’ll be on your left when we reach … Continue reading →

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Road Trip — II

Posted on March 24, 2025 by Al

Learning took time; four years in medical school, and another four in training at a hospital. Oh, they let us out now and then, blinking and coughing in the LA sun. And every free day (what few there were), I’d … Continue reading →

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Road Trip — I

Posted on March 21, 2025 by Al

I’m perusing some of my old writing, looking for additional material for a memoir-ish book I’m working on. This story, written circa 1985-90, carries its own preface. I’m breaking it into 3 or four parts, lightly edited… [Ed. note: This … 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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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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It’s Just Like Riding a Bike – IV

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Al

[First Draft!] A year into medical school, I felt the need for two-wheeled transportation again. Another police auction in downtown LA, and for $60, I got another beater. My world opened up. I already had a car, of course – … Continue reading →

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