Category Archives: Uncategorized

The Crusades (again) in the 2020s

Posted on July 10, 2021 by hessd

I had a friend once who descended from time to time into an irrational rage and he hated to go alone. I am going to describe the process in the form it finally became familiar to me. This will make … Continue reading →

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How well do you want it fixed?

Posted on June 28, 2021 by hessd

In the early 1960s, I dislocated my left shoulder. After many subsequent dislocations, I decided to see if I could get it fixed. I went to team of doctors who were said to have a lot of experience with athletes. … Continue reading →

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I can’t take him anywhere

Posted on June 15, 2021 by hessd

It’s a great line, but it has to be delivered just right. It is accompanied by a rolling of the eyes or a slow shaking of the head. It does some very good things when it is done right and … Continue reading →

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Oregon, Their Oregon

Posted on June 10, 2021 by hessd

Oregon has just revised our state song. It was filed with the Oregon Secretary of State yesterday. It doesn’t get any more official that that. The principal virtue of the new version is that it gets rid of some really … Continue reading →

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An appreciative sort of partnership

Posted on June 5, 2021 by hessd

I know from watching movies that the classic pickup line is, “Do you come here often?” When couples meet in the dining room of the senior center where Bette and I live, the equivalent question is, “So….how did you guys … Continue reading →

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But is it really therapy?

Posted on June 2, 2021 by hessd

I am just about to read a news article (New York Times, June 1) about a “therapist” app named “Woebot.” I have read enough in the area that I think I have a sense of what has to be said. … Continue reading →

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“I wasn’t built to follow your rules”

Posted on March 25, 2021 by hessd

Looking at it from the outside, I might call that a design flaw.  I’m sure she wouldn’t call it that. It may be that the woman who tossed this line at the hospital security guard, didn’t actually mean it.  As … Continue reading →

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How to grieve

Posted on March 18, 2021 by hessd

Let’s start with how bad a title that is.  If you chose to read this because the title rubbed you the wrong way,  welcome.  Let’s talk. In my reading about the process of grieving, I see a lot of emphasis … Continue reading →

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Trumpism and Greater Appalachia

Posted on January 18, 2021 by hessd

Here is the first paragraph of Colin Woodard’s examination of the “American nation” he calls Greater Appalachia. [1]  “Nation” is a cultural reference in Woodard’s usage and Greater Appalachia is the culture where I was born and raised.  (See the … Continue reading →

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Did anybody remember to bring the boxes?

Posted on January 7, 2021 by hessd

Like a lot of people, I spent most of yesterday watching television.  I learned as lot from the commentary.  The video, not so much.  All day, they showed the same protesters coming up the same stairs their progress being retarded … Continue reading →

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