A Cold Start to the Year

I didn’t make it to midnight to see the stake put through 2025’s cold, black heart. I fell asleep about 9, while listening to Hot Jazz New Year’s Eve on WAMU, and woke at 11 to Fred Astaire singing “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.” I turned it off, turned off the lights, andContinue reading “A Cold Start to the Year”

Thoughts on a Grim December Morn

No, they don’t have Christmas in Kentucky There’s no holly on a West Virginia door For the trees don’t twinkle when you’re hungry And the jingle bells don’t jingle when you’re poor — Phil Ochs, “Christmas in Kentucky” The weather forecast for today was all over the map. Something wintry, that was definite. Accumulation? Snow?Continue reading “Thoughts on a Grim December Morn”

The First Snow of the Season

I called my mom on Thursday for Thanksgiving. She wanted to know how much snow I had on the ground. “None,” I said. It had been sixty degrees a day or two before. “But if I’m remembering correctly, it looks like there’s a chance of snow early next week. Monday or Tuesday.” Today is Sunday.Continue reading “The First Snow of the Season”

Autumn’s Arrival

Autumn has arrived. How do I know this? My knees decided to tell me. Monday morning I was fine, felt no effects of the walk around Prospect Hill Cemetery. Monday afternoon, however, I had a painful arthritis burning through my knees, an arthritis so bad that I could barely stand and sleeping was almost impossible.Continue reading “Autumn’s Arrival”

Possum Mating Habits

I can honestly say that I had never contemplated the mating habits of possums, but… …yeah, it’s really freakin’ hot out there. And who knew possums were into freaky sex? Hoo-boy. After last night’s Facebook ad, again the algorithms show me something of interest… …and while a Bag End-themed bottle of Jamesons is definitively ofContinue reading “Possum Mating Habits”

Investigative Cemetery Explorations

After a couple of mild winters, this year has brought the snow. Since the beginning of the year, I think there’s been a snowfall at least once a week, and for most of the last month there’s been snow on the ground. It hasn’t been warm enough to melt the last snow, and the nextContinue reading “Investigative Cemetery Explorations”