This is a recent post from fellow blogger and dog lover Amanda who, like me, has a passion for life, good food and animals. Anyone who’s followed me knows I have an intense love of dogs. It’ll be ten years this October since I lost my last dog, Wolfgang, a miniature schnauzer – who I actually believe was a miniature wolf! Life is always better with animals. Thank you, Amanda!
Filed under Essays
I asked myself that question a few months ago, as I looked at my reflection in a bathroom mirror. It was almost a random inquiry; a sudden revelation after years of suffering with depression and alcoholism. I’ve contemplated suicide more times than I can recount and have actually come very close to ending my own life on a few occasions.
How is it that I’m still here?
Recently I conversed with a younger friend who had turned 40 last year and is at a tough point in his life. He had spent nearly a decade in education before joining an alleged friend to start a business. This “friend” took the money he’d invested and abandoned the project. So now my pal is nearly bankrupt and has to resort to an Uber-type job to earn a living. We conversed between rides. The gig economy emerged after the “Great Recession”. I fell victim to it after losing my job with an engineering firm in 2010. It can be humiliating, as people struggle to find work.
As I described in a previous essay, I began fighting alcoholism in the mid-1980s. I still haven’t won – and I know I never really will – but I’ve succeeded in controlling it. Equally wicked and unrelenting, depression and alcoholism are perfect companions – global serial killers. I don’t know anyone who hasn’t been impacted by either of these afflictions.
But people don’t always tell the truth about their lives.
Regardless, I still wonder how I’ve come this far. I’m certainly glad that I have. Between October 2024 and January 2025 I lost three of my closest friends. I’m at the point in time where I don’t count the number of likes I get on Facebook or Instagram. I count the number of people I’ve outlived. Then again, one doesn’t get to this point in life without going through a few bumps and bruises. And that means losing people we know and love.
How are you still alive?
I don’t know. Honestly…I have no idea. But I’m here – and I’ll just keep moving forward.
Filed under Essays
“Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning, but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.”
Filed under News
Events in the month of November for writers and readers
Defeat Diabetes Month
National Family Literacy Month
National Memoir Writing Month
Native American Heritage Month
National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)
Picture Book Month
Filed under News
Good Morning
Oh God, help us
To be generous in our opinions of others,
To be considerate of all we meet,
To be patient with those with whom we work,
To be faithful to every trust,
To be courageous in the face of danger,
To be humble in all our living,
To be prayerful every hour of the day,
To be joyous in all life’s experiences,
And to be dependent upon me,
For strength in facing life’s uncertainties.
Filed under News
“Fathering is not something perfect men do, but something that perfects the man.”
Image: John Darkow
Filed under News
Filed under News
“Nature is always hinting at us. It hints over and over again. And suddenly we take the hint.”
“Thank you,” muttered the pastor, already looking more tired than when the service started. “Now, would anyone else like to say a few last words before we proceed to the cemetery?”
I took a deep breath and stood. “Yes, I would.”
“Very well.”
I looked briefly at the crowd and swallowed hard. “I have to say my friend was a unique individual.”
Obnoxious little bastard!
“He never seemed to meet a stranger.”
Only made friends if they could do something for him.
“He could be funny and engaging.”
And rude and stupid!
“I always had the best time with him.”
If he didn’t run out on the tab – which he did more than once!
“We even thought of going into business together at one point.”
He had the looks, but I had the brains.
“A graphic arts business.”
Bastard wanted to turn it into a porn thing.
“It was a great idea, and I knew we’d go places with it.”
After a while, I wanted his ass to go straight to hell!
“I think we did our best, but you know how everything looks great on paper!”
He kept screwing up things!
“Still…I was sad when he got sick.”
Payback, bitch!
“I just keep thinking of those better times.”
Good one.
“And wished…in a way, he was still here.”
What?!
“Yeah, I do.”
Okay, now you’ve lost it!
“I know that sounds odd.”
That’s one way of putting it!
Everyone looked at me…confused.
Now you have their attention.
“Yeah…despite everything, I already miss him.”
More quizzical stares.
You know they’re going to talk about you after this is over, don’t you?
“I don’t care.”
Oops! Didn’t mean to say that out loud!
“Excuse me.” I couldn’t help but notice the raised brows and twisted mouths.
Might as well keep going.
I turned to the photo beside the coffin. “Goodbye, my friend. I hope to see you on the other side.”
And you really mean that?
“I really mean that.”
Several people turned to look at me. I didn’t care. As big a pain in the ass as he was…I already miss my friend.
Filed under Wolf Tales
Chief Writing Wolf 