By Lois Requist People sometimes say things like, “Growing old isn’t for sissies,” or “It’s all downhill from here,” or some other such remarks, none of which I agree with, but, as we’ve talked about here before, our culture tends to glorify the young, the perfect, while not speaking highly of its elders. People say […]
Poetry Corner: Bud Light “Treadmill”
A rat in a trap; A squirrel in a cage A donkey on a treadmill, turning a milstone; Going nowhere, because There’s nowhere to go They couldn’t go even if there was, because The situation won’t let them. People are very much like that. How sad about that. Too bad for them; It shouldn’t be […]
The A Cappella Handyman: My Logo
My Logo When the suburbanites moved into Walnut Creek and its walnut orchards in the 1950s, the once dry orchards with seasonal irrigation now became very well-watered lawns.The water table changed substantially and the walnut trees developed Crown Rot and died. One of my jobs as a teenager was to dig up and remove the […]
A Vibrant Faith for the 21st Century: Troubling Old Testament texts
“Then David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’ Nathan replied, “The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. But because by doing this you have shown utter contempt for the Lord, the son born to you will die’” (2 Samuel 12:13-14 [New International Version]). “Parents are not […]
Everyday Feng Shui: Don’t let your garage drain your energy
Is your garage being used to store the cars it was designed to protect, OR is it packed with things that you think you are banishing from your home and your thoughts, but instead are creating stuck energy in your life? Don’t let a garage that’s packed with stuff drain your good energy. If your […]
Benicia Letters Once More: Your Walks
The following “letter” is part of the continuing series from the unpublished novel by James Garrett, “Benicia Letters Once More”. He does not plan to publish the book but instead is choosing to share the letters with the readers of the Benicia Herald. The letters continue the storyline of Garrett’s first novel “Benicia and Letters […]
Jeff Burkhart’s “Rhyme and Reason: Tinkle Tinkle Where You Are (Here is good; just stop the car!)
Tinkle here and tinkle there Boys can tinkle everywhere Day or night where we may dare We tinkle on without a care Girls have to hold it back you see They need a formal place to pee It’s not our fault; ain’t up to me That’s just the way it’s meant to be Every time […]
A Different Drummer: A fishing tale of sorts
Many dreary things plague us in the news. I have fishing tales. None untold are long enough to fit the bill unless I string a few ideas together. I have a story that isn’t how I started fishing, but how I started loving fishing. It was a while before I chose to fish for trout. […]
The Truth About Cruising (Part 10): The finale
The Benicia Fullosopher Ship Cheapness Factor (SCF): Rather than raise fares, cruise companies have begun to charge for many things that were formerly free. I created the term “Ship Cheapness Factor” to describe this practice that applies to the mainstream and premium class ships. The welcome drink: In the past, guests boarding would be […]
Voice of the Village: Ballroom dancing, anyone?
By Judie Donaldson I must admit that it’s sometimes hard for me to believe what I read, particularly when something seems so implausible or just doesn’t fit into any corner of my brain. This occurred to me this morning when I read something about ballroom dancing. Bear with me. I’ll explain what stymied me in […]