Susan and I are both retired, living together. We are, however, approaching it differently, at times. Susan is a planner and I’m the spontaneous one. She tells me that spontaneity is a euphemism in my case, and what I really have is pervasive procrastination syndrome. I tell her that she fusses too much over details […]
A Different Drummer: Women getting it done
It was Mother’s Day at the Henderson house. Four generations of women lived at the ancient country estate from Grandma Henrietta down to granddaughter Hannah and her three dolls, Betsy, Jetsy, and Wetsy. With six bedrooms and three bathrooms, everyone had space to be themselves and spread out. Also in the premises were two dogs, […]
A Different Drummer: Will mudjacking work for you?
I’m going to try mudjacking in front of my Benicia house, and I’ll let you know how it goes. I first learned of mudjacking a few years ago while in Pennsylvania while standing in front of our 120-year-old house staring at our 120-year-old sidewalk. Each section of the slate sidewalk was tilted in its own […]
A Different Drummer: I sing the house electric
We have been receiving monthly letters from PG&E that say, “Shame on you.” Apparently, we are using more electricity than average homes. This year we are doing something about that. We have already put on a new metal roof, had all our attic vents replaced, new insulation blown in, and a Next thermostat installed. In […]
A Different Drummer: Happy home improvements
Long overdue home improvements cost us major money recently, but they have brought us more comfort, better health, and will pay us back over the long haul. No, we didn’t go solar, but we talked long and studied hard on the matter. We would have broken even upon our deaths. Not enough incentive. Instead we […]
A Different Drummer: Local boys make good
One of the many great things about being a school teacher is the size of the extended family you adopt over the years. I’ve had well over 1,000 students come through my classroom doors, and then go back out again into their adult lives. To stay in touch with them and watch their many successes […]
A Different Drummer: Lew, owner-operator, and Ms. Nikki, heartbreak survivor
Welcome to episode six, the finale: Old Folks Meet Their Kind in Memphis Museums. It felt good to drop our cart in Memphis in the dark after driving 647 miles from Austin. It was time for a much needed rest, and then tomorrow Gino, Patricia, Susan, and I would paint the town red and blue […]
A Different Drummer: Meet Phil and a guy who looks like Patton Oswalt
At last, episode five: Old Folks Hit Austin. Thanks to fine brisket, a full-length tour and lecture on Texas smoking techniques from Kirby at the Wagon Wheel in Ozona the day before, we arrived late to our apartment in Austin, but not too late. Our Airbnb was three miles from town, but only three blocks […]
A Different Drummer: You’ll eventually meet Kirby
Welcome to episode four of Old People on a Southern Road Trip — me, lovely, tolerant Susan, Gino the carpenter and Patricia the Waldorf teacher. Gino was driving his truck full of tools home to Philadelphia. Sue and I came as far as Memphis. We pick up still in New Mexico headed toward Austin, in […]
A Different Drummer: Tommy lives in the desert without kidneys
Welcome to episode three of “Four Old People Cross America’s South in a Pickup.” That would be me, Susan and our friends Gino and Patricia. Gino was driving his truck full of tools home to Philadelphia and we came along for part of the ride. Susan and I would fly home from Memphis after meandering […]