Ask Germans to name the bleakest month of the year, and you will probably end up with a unanimous vote for … November. It’s as if the year, once a balloon, had lost all its air and remains but a floppy rubber bladder that stretches, but holds nothing. November – an accumulation of fog, drizzle, […]
To Ponder
Letter: Dorothy escapes rental inspectors
In Kansas (yes, Toto, we’re talking about Kansas, not Lakewood, Washington – for now), cities like those in Lawrence, Mission, Topeka, Kansas City (where rental inspection programs have been in place for 20 years) – any city anywhere in Kansas – cannot, by recently enacted law in that state, anymore “require periodic interior inspections unless […]
Dirty Diapers and Winter Driving
In 1968 we were hoping to outlast the snow. We were warm and toasty with enough food, but with a toddler and a baby, we ran out of diapers, washcloths, dish towels, bath towels, handkerchiefs, and scarves. As young marrieds, each week Peg would visit her family or my family to wash clothes. The winter […]
Letter: Thank you Garth Brooks from the Tillicum Crushers
Thank you, Garth Brooks, Brian Hunter (Seattle Mariner coach, over 70 stolen bases in a single season in MLB), Chris Nolan of Procamps.com, Teammates for Kids Garth Brooks Foundation, the staff of coaches and all the folks who made possible a recent baseball camp in Tacoma.
Deaf Ears Still Need Communication
Amanda had a hearing disabled worker to place for employment. She called a potential employer, and was rebuffed. Jack said, “We’ve already got a deaf worker and she’s just not working out.” Disabled workers are as different from each other as you and I. Some are hard workers . . . and some need a […]
Letter: Loyalty or honesty – which needs your friend most?
INC magazine once opined the greatest need of a CEO from those under his charge, let alone from his or her second in command, was honesty, not loyalty.
Blithe Spirit – Tacoma Little Theatre Post-Review
It was the last performance of Noël Coward’s Blithe Spirit in Tacoma Little Theatre’s 99th season . . . meaning that the dead can return as needed when “spirited” séances go wrong. Peggy and I met friends for dinner at the seriously crowded Spanky Burgers & Brew on Sixth and Pine. We chose Spanky’s because […]
Letter: Rental Inspection refund checks are in the mail
The city will pay $211,000 to reimburse landlords. Garbage fees will go up to cover the city’s losses in having illegally collected fees for its Rental Inspection Program.
Saving a Mountain Ash for My Wife
Suburban Times writer Joe Boyle wrote about hedges and other bushes drying up and turning brown all over Lakewood. He’s worried about fires starting and spreading. I loved his article and sent him a comment: “Joe, I think you should re-title your piece: The Planted Dead. I know exactly what you’re talking about and the […]