Dearest Rachel – It’s not perfect by any stretch, but to a certain extent, I’ve managed to solve some of my scheduling issues that I’ve had from time to time, due to having to manage my own schedule with you gone. It’s not exactly what I meant to have happen by having AI take overContinue reading “Tight Schedules, Tight Places”
Tag Archives: family
Drink Before the War
Dearest Rachel – I think you knew this without my having to tell you; on my family’s side (and setting my uncle and his family aside, since he and they were either in Austin or Buffalo throughout his career as an academician, and therefor having no influence on me), I was the one member ofContinue reading “Drink Before the War”
A Strangely Productive Morning
Dearest Rachel – Yesterday saw me awake long before five, and desirous to return to slumber. But, of course, my mind was too busy writing to you by then to let me go back to sleep. Of course, everything that was bugging me at the time has now come and gone – that’s how currentContinue reading “A Strangely Productive Morning”
But We Were There
Dearest Rachel – It amazes me to think that once upon a time, our family thought nothing of showing up at church both in the morning and the evening. I don’t know if my folks ever suffered from the “Sunday Scaries,” as I hear tale of nowadays – and can totally relate to, even thoughContinue reading “But We Were There”
Not Expecting Visitors
Dearest Rachel – For all that I wonder how exactly time works where you are, you probably don’t keep track of days any more than you do of lesser units, such as hours and minutes. It may well be that your only indication of the passage of each day – if you even pay attentionContinue reading “Not Expecting Visitors”
One Dish Too Many
Dearest Rachel – I hate to have to admit that I had to claw my way back down to the two-forty mark in time to meet Lars for our weekly walk yesterday. And while I don’t wish to throw Daniel under the bus for the situation – after all, I made the offer to getContinue reading “One Dish Too Many”
Dealing With Calls and Callers
Dearest Rachel – Ordinarily, Mom doesn’t answer the phone when she doesn’t recognize the number on her Caller ID – frankly, we’ve all been trained by hard experience not to do that these days, which would upset Dad no end (but that’s how he was trained as a salesman; not only could every call beContinue reading “Dealing With Calls and Callers”
I Should Really Keep My Mouth Shut
Dearest Rachel – It was one of those dreams that are too coherent not to mean something, not unlike Paul’s vision of the Macedonian man asking for help. At the same time, it’s also a need I feel woefully inadequate to fill – and let’s face it, there are other things I’d rather be doingContinue reading “I Should Really Keep My Mouth Shut”
from Rachel: Torn Away
Has anything like this happened to you? Please tell me about it. “Not exactly, I’ve stalled with Suzy lots of times; our engine went phooey when we tried to visit Al and Andi, but we went a couple of months later; we stood Kristi and Ken up for dinner and didn’t have cell phones yetContinue reading “from Rachel: Torn Away”
No Rest for the Reluctant
Dearest Rachel – You’ll forgive the title, honey; while I’d like to think of myself as something other than ‘wicked’ (although let’s face it, scripture says otherwise), I certainly know better than to try to apply itself to its polar opposite, ‘virtuous.’ If someone else wants to slap me with that label, I would beContinue reading “No Rest for the Reluctant”
Not As Tidy As I’d Like
Dearest Rachel – I complained from time to time – even during this past week – that there isn’t that much going on around me to tell you about. But after a day like yesterday, which felt like a day of nothing going on (for the most part), maybe I’m just missing the truly unusualContinue reading “Not As Tidy As I’d Like”
Beep Beep
Dearest Rachel – So, yesterday, Daniel and I sort of went slumming for Sunday dinner; let’s face it, fast food isn’t exactly what you think of going to after a church service. Just like how one thinks one is supposed to dress up to go to church (not that this happens at our church allContinue reading “Beep Beep”
The Notice That One Needs
Dearest Rachel – So I mentioned yesterday that I would let you know about how our errands that afternoon would go if I thought they were interesting enough to relate. And they held up part of that bargain, I suppose – although it may be more a case of them being the most interesting thingContinue reading “The Notice That One Needs”
Sleeping Up A Sweat
Dearest Rachel – I won’t go so far as to say that you would be proud of the two of us – if nothing else, I can’t verify that I was conscious the entire time – but I did manage to stay up with Daniel until well past eleven last night. This, after a mildlyContinue reading “Sleeping Up A Sweat”
Holiday Monday
Dearest Rachel – I wish I could tell you more about last night‘s dream; it felt like I was scrambling to purchase a few more souvenirs before I had to leave town. It kind of resembled the day that Daniel and I were on our way out from Otaru earlier this year, but somewhat moreContinue reading “Holiday Monday”
What He Wanted
Dearest Rachel – If it hadn’t been for the fact that it was so undiplomatic, I would’ve been pleased that Daniel actually knew what it was he wanted, and said so. He’s usually so indifferent to options offered to him, that this is actually worth telling you about. And in the end, it wound upContinue reading “What He Wanted”
from Rachel: Dear to Us
List every area of exploitation they’d [Paul, Silvanus and Timothy] tried to avoid.“flattery, masking of greed, being a burden (seeking praise?)” Using people. It’s the default mechanism of our sinful nature. If we’re not fighting it, we’re doing it. And the key to how well we’re doing it is how well we’re hiding it.To flatterContinue reading “from Rachel: Dear to Us”
In Due Time
Hey there, Pop – I know, I know; normally I would be writing Rachel about the goings-on around here. But it’s been a while since I’ve been able to talk to you now, and since this would be going to approximately the same address (although what do I know? Heaven is undoubtedly larger than theContinue reading “In Due Time”
Something He Can Call His Own
Dearest Rachel – Well, I promised I would tell you about it, and here we are; after over five years of driving your car around, Daniel finally has a car he can call his own. It has everything he wanted in a car (which, admittedly, wasn’t much to begin with, but thus far, he hasn’tContinue reading “Something He Can Call His Own”
Small Stuff in the Meantime
Dearest Rachel – There’s a pair of rules for life that go like such: 1.) Don’t sweat the small stuff, and 2.) it’s all small stuff. And from your vantage point, that’s truer than any living human can grasp. Literally anything I tell you about is ‘small stuff,’ in the grand scheme of things, noContinue reading “Small Stuff in the Meantime”
A Day For Daniel
Dearest Rachel – I’ve got to admit, I really don’t know what to write to you about this morning. It’s been a day of a fair number of little things – just enough to keep me occupied – none of which strike me as particularly noteworthy. It’s just a little bit of everything and aContinue reading “A Day For Daniel”
We Need A Third, At Least
Dearest Rachel – This weekend is particularly quiet for Daniel and myself, honey. Logan is out of the house for the weekend; I forget if it’s a sibling or a cousin of his, but one or the other is getting married this weekend up in Michigan. It strikes me as a little odd for aContinue reading “We Need A Third, At Least”
Not For Me, But Still…
Dearest Rachel – So last night had me in class again at church. It doesn’t require the same sort of schedule juggling as Grief Share did five years ago (when it was running concurrently against Awana clubs and my responsibilities there), but given that it’s on a Thursday, it does sort of interfere with ourContinue reading “Not For Me, But Still…”
Would I Be Like Arne?
Dearest Rachel – It’s been a while since we went walking like this in the woods; not only were the last two weeks that I’ve met up with Lars been rather short on actual walking, he’s been hosting friends from overseas, so I’m something of a bit player in those days (and I’ve rather hadContinue reading “Would I Be Like Arne?”
Walking Distance
Dearest Rachel – I’m pretty sure that Kirsten started the conversation this weekend about what we might do together, which will eventually become somewhat ironic at some point in this story. To be fair, she started it sometime in the middle of Friday, when I was staying home (although not exactly staying home the wholeContinue reading “Walking Distance”
A Mad, Pointless Dash
Dearest Rachel – So yesterday saw me sitting at home yet again; for all Mom’s mock-concern about losing track of the days with ‘two Saturdays’ at the end of the week, I can’t seem to avoid the situation. This time around, it was a continuation of an issue we had mostly dealt with of aContinue reading “A Mad, Pointless Dash”
Vaguely Familiar Ground
Dearest Rachel – So, yesterday saw me driving Mom to her investment advisors’ to deposit a refund check from Dad’s health insurance, as well as determine what to do with the life insurance payout she had already received. While I would point out that she could certainly have driven herself – she does so whenContinue reading “Vaguely Familiar Ground”
Chained in Place
Dearest Rachel – For all that I mention it (and for all that I try not to), you’re well aware of my newsfeed, and the fact that I still read it on a daily basis. You might remember that I used to read certain articles of interest to you, partly as practice at reading scripts,Continue reading “Chained in Place”
Meanwhile, at Home…
Dearest Rachel – There are some stories that are not really mine to tell, as I don’t enter into them until the second or third act at best, but since Daniel’s not likely to tell it (for various reasons, including that he’s not a writer, as such, and it’s debatable as to how well theContinue reading “Meanwhile, at Home…”
‘Working’ on Labor Day
Dearest Rachel – It may seem a little inappropriate for me to be reporting in to the ‘office’ today – although it’s been pointed out since the holiday was created how odd it is to celebrate ‘labor’ by not laboring – but that’s the beauty of being retired and being able to set one’s ownContinue reading “‘Working’ on Labor Day”
Costco Run
Dearest Rachel – Good news this morning (or, more accurately, from Tuesday afternoon); Daniel called in to the county as instructed on his summons, and it turns out that his services were not required after all, which was a relief. I was fully prepared to escort him down there (despite never having been called toContinue reading “Costco Run”
Can Ghosts Take Care of You?
Dearest Rachel – Given a fairly calm and otherwise uneventful week – it’s too hot and muggy to go walking (and in any event, Lars is being visited by some old friends from Europe, although he’s invited me to join them on Friday when they hit the city in earnest; we’ll see how that goes),Continue reading “Can Ghosts Take Care of You?”
Retirement Home
Dearest Rachel – It’s been one of those days where nothing interesting is happening, at least not personally, which is okay; life doesn’t always have to have something monumental going on in it every day. In fact, if it did, it would get to the point where a boring day would be the most unusualContinue reading “Retirement Home”
Friends First
Dearest Rachel – It’s actually kind of funny; as summer comes to a close, the social calendar ramps up with a quickness. Which is sort of ironic, because everything’s pretty slow during the summer – now that we all get back to our commitments, we’re being called to this or that event on top ofContinue reading “Friends First”
Pretend Everything’s Normal
Dearest Rachel – I feel like I should apologize for yesterday; normally, I can get a letter out to you before noon without fail – and most of it was put together both early and quickly – but the story couldn’t be resolved until the work was done by the repair team when they cameContinue reading “Pretend Everything’s Normal”
A Plumbing Fix
Dearest Rachel – Given that our house is older than even your parents’ place (it was, after all, on the outer perimeter of the subdivision, and therefore built first as part of a row of demonstration models), it was to be expected that we would need to fix up and upgrade the place over time.Continue reading “A Plumbing Fix”
The Process of Discovery
Dearest Rachel – For all that I will tell you about the characteristics that Daniel shares with you, this time it may be something that he shares with me that makes the story. He may be generally inert on his own, but once nudged to do something, he can pursue the matter without further influence.Continue reading “The Process of Discovery”
Entropy
Dearest Rachel – I tend to think of this word as being synonymous with chaos or disorder; slightly more scientific than either of the other words, with a literally universal meaning to it, insofar as the cosmos tends toward it all the more over time (although, on such a scale, one could expect the processContinue reading “Entropy”
Indulgent Parenting
Dearest Rachel – So yesterday was a short one at the ‘office’; normally, I’d be there from at least ten until three, but I had my semi-annual dental appointment (yes, I’m far more faithful with that than my physical check-up. In fact, I’m not even sure how that works, now that Daniel and I haveContinue reading “Indulgent Parenting”
The Long Trip Back
Dearest Rachel – It seems odd to focus on the flights to and from any given destination when I write to you about traveling; really, it’s the least interesting part of the whole trip. Then again, the process takes the better part of a day either way – be it the trip to and fromContinue reading “The Long Trip Back”
Indulge Within Reason
Dearest Rachel – While out and about with Mom (getting papers signed, as I told you about yesterday), we passed by an old barbershop in the strip mall where her brokers have set up shop. Which struck the two of us as odd, since the name belonged to a shop that was a little closerContinue reading “Indulge Within Reason”
Papers In Order
Dearest Rachel – For all that much of life is conducted online these days (and to think, we were part of the vanguard; remember when we used to send out family Christmas letters, and thought it worthy of comment that most of our purchases were made that year on Amazon? Good times), some things needContinue reading “Papers In Order”
Sizzle and Crash
Dearest Rachel – Well, that came out of absolutely nowhere. At about half-past midnight, there was this slight sizzling sound, followed by a thunderous cracking noise and a bright flash of light in our backyard. I don’t know whether we got hit by a singular bolt of lightning (out of a sky with no rain)Continue reading “Sizzle and Crash”
The Legal Niceties
Dearest Rachel – I fell asleep early last night; it wasn’t even dark yet, so I had to put on my eye mask to do so, but everything I’d intended to do for the day was done. Besides, I’d need to get up early in the morning if I was going to hit the gymContinue reading “The Legal Niceties”
Nothing to Worry About?
Dearest Rachel – It’s been a couple of years since last I commented on such an event happening as it did yesterday evening; although compared to our own lives, that actually seems more often than it used to be. Then again, what do I know? It’s not as if I was keeping track of lifeContinue reading “Nothing to Worry About?”
I Don’t Have to Get Up
Dearest Rachel – Light seeps into the bedroom; cool, grey and cloudy, but light nonetheless. I can hear the chirp of various birds from the backyard, even as the occasional motorcar roars by outside in front of the house. It’s been an exhausting couple of days, but it seems as if we’re needing to getContinue reading “I Don’t Have to Get Up”
What I Intended To Say
Dearest Rachel – Well, we got through the funeral and the graveside service with as much composure as could be expected – although I didn’t hold it together as well as I thought I might once I got to the podium. Daniel had to come up and stand by my side when I asked permissionContinue reading “What I Intended To Say”
Let’s Get This Party Over With
It is better to go to a ·funeral [L house of mourning] than to a ·party [L drinking house].·We all must die [L It is everyone’s end], and everyone living should ·think about this [L take it to heart]. Ecclesiastes 7:2, Expanded Bible Dearest Rachel – Since I identify with the older version of Solomon – the writer of Ecclesiastes – than the younger oneContinue reading “Let’s Get This Party Over With”
Worse Than Being On Hold
Dearest Rachel – So, in an effort to keep you up-to-date with thing happening in my life, no matter how mundane (especially since the stuff that isn’t mundane is rather depressing at the moment. Like funereal depressing, literally), I have to let you know that there are in fact ordinary things in life worse thanContinue reading “Worse Than Being On Hold”
Stones, Spaces and Circumstances
Dearest Rachel – I’m looking forward to a relatively slow day today, honey. Granted, the boys are going to the movies tonight, and have invited me along because I expressed interest in the film when it came out – maybe my concerns about making stuff ‘uncool’ for them by expressing interest in them are unfoundedContinue reading “Stones, Spaces and Circumstances”
More Normal than I’ve a Right To…
Dearest Rachel – So, the last couple of days, have been… well, I wouldn’t say a flurry of activity, necessarily, but busy enough that I haven’t had the chance to determine what, if anything, is really different about life before and after Daniel and I left. Oh, there are the obvious things, of course; whenContinue reading “More Normal than I’ve a Right To…”
Back to ‘Work’
Dearest Rachel – I hope it didn’t sound like I was teasing my sister when I referred to the fact that she was taking care of all the administrative work behind dad‘s funeral arrangements as her means of coping with his passing. To be sure, teasing is one of the main duties of being aContinue reading “Back to ‘Work’”
It All Seems So Small Now
Dearest Rachel – I tell you, honey, we leave for a few weeks, and when we come back, everything is turned completely upside down. Or is that too callous a perspective? To be fair, it was Dad himself who made the rueful joke about not being able to pick us up at the airportContinue reading “It All Seems So Small Now”
Not Where They Live
Dearest Rachel – Our last port of call before making our way to Vancouver and home, and the clouds are once again out and about, as per the more customary Alaskan weather. Likewise, Daniel’s mood seemed that much more… I wouldn’t say sullen, but he was understandably down. But who wouldn’t be, upon getting theContinue reading “Not Where They Live”
Heavenly Sunlight
Dearest Rachel – Sometimes, the fact that I record these things off the cuff in real time makes it hard to say anything particularly important or appropriately meaningful. I have some idea of what to say, but it never feels like enough; especially given the current situation. But under the circumstances, I’m operating under theContinue reading “Heavenly Sunlight”
Seven Years in the Making
I wasn’t there that morning when my father passed away. I didn’t get to tell him all the things I had to say. Mike and the Mechanics, “The Living Years” (1988) Dearest Rachel – I think Daniel was asleep, but not for long thereafter. My phone vibrated at about five-thirty this morning. It was Jenn,Continue reading “Seven Years in the Making”
A Moment of Panic
Dearest Rachel – It never occurred to me to ask Kevin about it to confirm it, but somewhere out there, I had heard that the life of a security guard was 99.9 percent composed of sheer and utter boredom, with that last one-tenth of one percent of time being spent in mortal fear for yourContinue reading “A Moment of Panic”
Distracted in Valdez
Dearest Rachel – The last couple of days have been a little bit difficult. Daniel and I have been trying to keep in touch with the folks, calling them every day before we head out. Dad may have granted us his blessing to go traveling while he is in hospice, but that doesn’t absolve meContinue reading “Distracted in Valdez”
Hitting the Beach
Dearest Rachel – It wasn’t until I was going through my news feed after over breakfast that I realized that yesterday was the anniversary of D-day. Now, far be it from me to trivialize the day by comparing it anything I do, but it did so happen that we were finally ‘hitting the beach,’ ifContinue reading “Hitting the Beach”
Blackout Curtains
Dearest Rachel – It would seem that things are passing much the way I expected them to. I keep waking up every morning, checking my phone to find out what time it is, and as always, it’s between two and three in the morning (Japan time). Of course, this means that, according to ship time,Continue reading “Blackout Curtains”
A Long Way From Where We’re Going
Dearest Rachel – I set my alarm this morning for five o’clock, and woke up almost exactly at four, instead. That’s what comes of going to bed at only a little after eight, I suppose. It gave me a little extra time to get myself pulled together – including writing you (or rather, commenting onContinue reading “A Long Way From Where We’re Going”
Transition Accomplished
Dearest Rachel – I won’t argue it; the title smacks of that moment on the battleship with the president addressing the troops after the successful (at the time) of toppling Saddam Hussien and taking over Iraq. In fact, the banner was actually referring to a specific mission that the ship and its crew had beenContinue reading “Transition Accomplished”
Moving Back Home
Dearest Rachel – I wasn’t going to head to the rehab center yesterday, despite the fact that it was to be the day Dad moved out, presumably for the final time in his life. It might have been a reasonable idea to be on hand to bid farewell to a team of nurses that hadContinue reading “Moving Back Home”
“You Are Legends”
Dearest Rachel – For all that we’ve set plans in motion to swiftly bring Dad back home to be comfortable in his last days, there’s more that needs to be taken care of than the “comfort care” organization can or will provide. After all, they’re basically fully paid for by Medicare, but there are thingsContinue reading ““You Are Legends””
Secret Keeper
Dearest Rachel – Three weeks ago, while Dad was still in the hospital before being transferred into the rehabilitation center that he’s staying at presently, he was visited by our lead pastor. Not to offer any sort of last rites or anything like that; for one thing (as you know), we don’t do that, atContinue reading “Secret Keeper”
The Letter of the Law
Dearest Rachel – I really thought this was long since over and done with by now, honey. Most of your parents’ estate issues seemed to have been sorted out even before the lockdown clamped down on us – although not entirely, which is part of why we were caught unprepared by the fact that youContinue reading “The Letter of the Law”
“I’ll Be Right Back”
Dearest Rachel – I promise you, this letter has nothing to do with that Black Mirror episode I keep referencing (and would still kind of like to live out, just to see for myself as to whether it’s as truly awful as the show makes it out to be). No, this is more along theContinue reading ““I’ll Be Right Back””
A Single Pillow
Dearest Rachel – When Dad’s latest health issue was at its most urgent, he was in the hospital, which is practically in our backyard (especially as compared to his and Mom’s house, where I have my ‘office’). As a result, it was no trouble – and indeed, I felt it more my responsibility than myContinue reading “A Single Pillow”
Babysitting Each Other
Dearest Rachel – Yesterday was a strange one, honey. Logan has headed downstate with his family, as his sister is wrapping up things at college – I forget if it’s her graduation proper, or her last turn on stage (I think she’s a theater major) – so the house is suddenly that much more quietContinue reading “Babysitting Each Other”
Mother’s Day
Dearest Rachel – You might recall that we have a traditional gift we get my mom for Mother’s Day (which, admittedly, often felt like a bit of a cop out, given how easy it was); we would head over to a local florist/garden center, and get her a gift card for the place. And whileContinue reading “Mother’s Day”
It’s My Own Fault
Dearest Rachel – I don’t know if it’s a case of my being preoccupied with one or another thing, or that you would have made it more of a priority than I have, but in either case, this would never have happened on your watch. The other day, while Daniel and I were catching upContinue reading “It’s My Own Fault”
A New Version of ‘Normal’
Dearest Rachel – Well, it would seem that the crisis has passed once again. After yet another scare, it looks like Dad is going to recover. He’s even making plans for what life will be like for him once he returns home, although he’s accepted that it won’t happen for at least three or fourContinue reading “A New Version of ‘Normal’”
The Boys Have Made Plans
Dearest Rachel – For all that I’ve been telling you about Dad’s latest wrestling match with mortality, there have been more than a few undercard bouts that have been on the bill that I haven’t touched on. There are a couple of which I’ve thrown in the sponge until a more opportune time, such asContinue reading “The Boys Have Made Plans”
The New Routine
Dearest Rachel – You’re aware that, when I asked the folks’ permission to set up an office in their basement, where Dad used to have his office, it wasn’t entirely altruistic, so as to be in the house in case they needed me to be there for some reason or other. Oh, there is that,Continue reading “The New Routine”
(Un)Moving Day
Dearest Rachel – Each day at the hospital is another case of not knowing how things are going to go, and what, if anything, is going to happen. Depending on how well he’s been able to sleep the night before, Dad’s mood could be one of contentment with whatever fate has in store for him,Continue reading “(Un)Moving Day”
A Bleak Vision of the Future
Dearest Rachel – So, the last couple of days have been spent at Dad’s bedside for the better part of eight hours; slightly less than half my waking day. It’s the least I could do, given the fact that I don’t have to be at ‘work’ these days. For what it’s worth, it seems thatContinue reading “A Bleak Vision of the Future”
The Ultimate Role Model
Dearest Rachel – I freely admit it; while I make a point of showing up at the ‘office’ on a near-daily basis during the ‘work’ week, I almost never put in a full eight hour, nine-to-five ‘work’ day anymore. Since I don’t answer to a boss, and I take no pay for services rendered, thereContinue reading “The Ultimate Role Model”
One Scare After Another
Dearest Rachel – This is going to sound familiar to you at this point, given the tumult that occupied much of the last five years of your life. The past couple of days have been just what I’ve said at the top of this letter – one scare after another – with regard to DadContinue reading “One Scare After Another”
Like Nothing We’d Ever Done
Dearest Rachel – Believe it or not, I was half-expecting to spend all of yesterday cooped up at home. Think about that; I never spend any Sunday like this, and here I was, planning to stay home for the whole of Easter, of all Sundays? But with the plans for the family to get togetherContinue reading “Like Nothing We’d Ever Done”
I’ve No Right To Complain
Dearest Rachel – I’d say this is hardly a typical Easter weekend, but given that I’ve been out of the country twice in the last five years over Easter weekend, I’ve no right to complain about this one. But it still feels kind of strange, regardless. Among other things, I’m accustomed to working the boothContinue reading “I’ve No Right To Complain”
And This is Why We’d Rather Not Bother
Dearest Rachel – Since these letters usually go out in the morning, when all I’ve been able to take care of is my morning routine before heading out to the ‘office,’ I often make reference to things that I have coming up, and then put the brakes on going into detail about them, because I’dContinue reading “And This is Why We’d Rather Not Bother”
Shrieking Into Traffic
Dearest Rachel – I can still remember your shriek from the night Aki-san was mortally wounded. I had come downstate to visit you while you were back home at your folks’ house over one break or another. The date escapes me at the moment, I confess; I want to say Christmas or late January, butContinue reading “Shrieking Into Traffic”
First World Trials
Our trial is… which car to buyTemptation is… that extra dessertIn the land of orange juiceYou’re better off with the right kind of shirt “It’s Sick,” Daniel Amos, Vox Humana (1983) Dearest Rachel – I think the point of this verse had to do with the fact that we fret over such insignificant things whenContinue reading “First World Trials”
Three Times Too Late
Dearest Rachel – I’ll be honest; upon returning home from our trip, I was starting to think I was going to be able to transition seamlessly from Japan time to Central time. While Daniel nodded off in his recliner next to your side of the bed, I was more hungry than sleepy; enough so asContinue reading “Three Times Too Late”
Things to Get Used to Again
Dearest Rachel – Home again, and having to get used to Central Daylight Time (yes, the clocks changed over while we were out of the country, which only means we have to turn our own internal clocks back fourteen hours rather than fifteen, as far as we’re concerned). Someone told me the other day that,Continue reading “Things to Get Used to Again”
Otaku Hajj
Dearest Rachel – Now that we’re on our own to knock about the city, I can think of three major areas in Tokyo that Daniel and I ought to spend some time wandering around before we go home: Akihabara, Shibuya and Shinjuku. So when I started the day, I asked my chatbot for recommendations asContinue reading “Otaku Hajj”
Walking through Sunshine
Dearest Rachel – As I indicated in an earlier letter, now that the official part of our tour is over, we were going to take things at our own pace, and in our own directions. For all that Japan is so rich in history, we’ve decided not to bother dealing with that for now. IfContinue reading “Walking through Sunshine”
from Rachel: Identifying Your Own Way (part four)
In the blanks below write the two most significant statements in today’s reading assignment. Be prepared to discuss why the statements you chose were significant to you.“If people did not remain strangers to themselves, they would not maintain all their lives in the same paralyzed state. But they give flattering names to their own naturalContinue reading “from Rachel: Identifying Your Own Way (part four)”
Sleeping in a Town That (Sort of) Encourages It
Dearest Rachel – I’ve talked before about how, from coast to coast, American cities pride themselves on never sleeping. It’s been celebrated in song from “New York, New York” to the San Francisco that was supposedly “built… on rock and roll.” Whether they actually stay awake, going full crank for 24/7/365 is a matter ofContinue reading “Sleeping in a Town That (Sort of) Encourages It”
Better in Stepford
Dearest Rachel – The other day, I was showing Daniel one of the channels I’ve been watching while he’s been hanging out with Logan in the family room. It’s one of those film analysis essay sites, but rather than addressing the literary merits of the work, it discusses a film’s effect on the collective psycheContinue reading “Better in Stepford”
No More Water Coolers
Dearest Rachel – You were – and you would acknowledge this, however abashedly (depending on the circumstance) – an avid consumer of, maybe not pop culture as such, but at least media in general. Be it one or another sci-fi or fantasy series, a daytime talk show, or various comedy anthologies that would air overContinue reading “No More Water Coolers”
How’d He Raise Such a Cynic?
Dearest Rachel – When I go in to the ‘office’ these days, especially on days like this when I don’t have anything pressing in terms of actual ‘work,’ half my job, if you can call it that, is to simply hang around with and chat up my folks for a while (as well as movingContinue reading “How’d He Raise Such a Cynic?”
Double Header
Dearest Rachel – To address the question you wouldn’t have to ask if you were actually present – since conversation with a live person doesn’t require adding titles to one’s topics – yes, this is about sports in general, but no, this doesn’t have to do with baseball, from whence the term itself hails. You’dContinue reading “Double Header”
Sitting On the Pain Scale
Dearest Rachel – The problem with emotions and feelings is that it’s difficult to explain what one is feeling in a way that another person would understand exactly. Oh, we might be able to give a general idea to an audience what something feels like – and usually, that’s the best we can hope forContinue reading “Sitting On the Pain Scale”
The Lists We Still Need to Deal With
Dearest Rachel – Well, it’s just how things work in the American holiday calendar, I suppose. We no sooner get through with one that, by name and nature, reminds us to be both content and grateful for what we have, than we begin on the one whose whole purpose seems to be the diametric oppositeContinue reading “The Lists We Still Need to Deal With”
The Irony of Weekend Snow
Dearest Rachel – They tell us that we’re in for a real dose of winter starting today, and going well on into tomorrow, honey – somewhere in the neighborhood of six inches to a foot, depending on who you listen to. It’s that time of year, after all, and for all that I make anContinue reading “The Irony of Weekend Snow”
Half the Holiday
Dearest Rachel – I was getting serious flashbacks from 2020 yesterday morning, honey. You remember that year; we’d all been tested for Covid before Thanksgiving, for the sake of the folks (and, I think, at the recommendation, if not requirement, of the government when it came to such gatherings at the time). Yours and Daniel’sContinue reading “Half the Holiday”
Not a Time to Experiment
Dearest Rachel – The holiday season is upon us once again, honey, and as the sun takes that much more time off than it did when we were in Israel (where it’s so much more noticeable, since we can’t sightsee in the dark. Here at home, there’s still plenty to do when evening falls, andContinue reading “Not a Time to Experiment”
Still Not There Yet
Dearest Rachel – I’ve been writing to you a lot this past week about our difficulties in getting ourselves acclimated to our home time zone; it’s just under a week now, and we’re still not there yet. Compare that to our trip out, where we basically fell in line with the local time after aContinue reading “Still Not There Yet”
The Latest Bit of Family Slang
Dearest Rachel – I honestly can’t remember when I last visited our village public library, despite the fact that it’s supposedly one of the largest in the state (although obviously superseded by that of Chicago itself, I don’t think there are too many others that are larger). Sometimes, if I think about it, I assumeContinue reading “The Latest Bit of Family Slang”
