“Beep, beep, beep, beep ….” As Harry Nilsson listened to the incessant sound indicating a busy signal, he wrote the words to a 1968 hit song which became known for its opening line: “One is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do.” Is there any more poignant single word to describe how we sometimes feel […]
Lakewood
Westside Story – Don’t Be An Idiot, Wear Masks
Following our recent Covid-19 pandemic outbreak, controversy has been running rampant regarding wearing masks. Our government, who I know wants to help us, strongly supports wearing masks to prevent medical maladies to one and all. That is precisely why when I was hanging out at Topside Coffee Cabin (TCC) in Steilacoom, sipping and slurping espresso […]
Letter: Ordinary People
On Tuesday, December 20, 2011 The New York Times Magazine ran its annual special section entitled, “The Lives They Lived.” Through social media, the magazine had put out a request to readers asking for photographs of loved ones who had passed in 2011. Hundreds of images poured in. The vast majority of those pictured were […]
Lakewood First Lions Pick Seahawks Raffle Winners
Lakewood First Lions held their Seahawks Raffle drawing on October 10, 2020 at Station 31. Fire Chief Jim Sharp of West Pierce Fire and Rescue pulled the winning tickets. First prize went to Bernie Cooper and second prize Sofia Rangel of Unique Hair Salon. The first prize winner received: Football signed by Pete Carroll 10×10 […]
Letter: A Message From The Heart
At exactly 8:30 a.m. every day the phone rings. The call has been triggered by a signal sent from his heart. Following his heart-valve replacement surgery, this heart message is his daily reminder to put the cuff on his arm and install the finger clip. Then it is time for his morning walk. His steps […]
Westside Story – Voter's Pamphlet – Detective Ed Troyer
Our Pierce County Local Voter’s Pamphlet for our forthcoming General Election on November 3, 2020, just arrived in the mail. I cracked the pamphlet open and dove into page 12 to read the two candidate statements for Pierce County Sheriff. Having been associated with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department for 23+ years, I am very […]
Westside Story – Smokers Kill
The old saying, where there is smoke, there is fire, can justifiably be changed to where there are smokers, there is fire. Cigarette design has improved cigarettes making them less likely to cause fires. Improved; Yes! Foolproof; No! A carelessly discarded smoldering cigarette can start a fire within 20 minutes to 18 hours. Even ashes […]
Letter: Pearls On A Strand
We had seen it coming. What had begun as a crystal clear early morning with stars twinkling in the still dark sky, and as red and white bow lights flashed on the other rowing shells moved silently on the dark surface of the water, the morning dissolved into a thick and impenetrable fog. Not only […]
Letter: No More
No more a memory of sad days gone by. No more the sound of weeping. No more an infant who lives but a few days. No more an old man who does not complete his years. No more. The pain will not dim but rather not come to mind. Clumsy words – so inadequate to […]