Archives in Category: Personal Pleas

Ten minutes to write. Less time to read.

Deadlines

Posted on December 19, 2024

When I was a freelance writer, my clients always had deadlines for me. Given that the writing comes at the beginning of a project my deadlines were usually tight so that there was wiggle room for the delays that occurred

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Bombarded

Posted on October 7, 2024

Everywhere you go, especially on the internet, someone wants to pick your wallet. You make a reservation at a hotel and it wants you to upgrade your room choice for an extra $30 a night.

Big box stores send you

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Jewelry Cleaning, Not Recommended

Posted on August 13, 2024

I heard a yell from the laundry room but didn’t respond. Earl often yells for something that isn’t top priority in my book. But when we finally connected, he held a sapphire and diamond ring in his hand.

Turns out

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Scary

Posted on February 23, 2024

Years ago, before the infamous Wall came down, I was invited to visit Berlin. It didn’t take long to decline the invitation, as I was concerned about my safety. I had a vision of being in a café with a

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One Day

Posted on February 14, 2018

Today Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day coincided. It’s the first time in over seventy years. The New York Times noted this with great hyperbole, as if you must celebrate one event by ignoring the other. I disagree. Why not celebrate

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Dorping Out

Posted on November 22, 2016

No that’s not a typo; I’m inventing a new word that means “taking a break to ponder what to do next.”

Three weeks ago the Chicago Cubs won their first World Series in 108 years. It was euphoric. Two weeks

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Slugdom Persists

Posted on October 1, 2016

On September 20, I wrote about becoming an athletic slug. No, it’s not an oxymoron; what I mean was that my former interest is staying fit had all but abandoned me and I was giving up exercise.

But now it’s

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Please Reimburse

Posted on March 7, 2016

Dear Governor Snyder: Enclosed is a bill for $130.54, which is the cost of a new tire for my car. I’m submitting it as a credit on my state income tax, since a giant Michigan pothole is responsible for ruining the

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Hate Has No Business Here

Posted on December 23, 2015

On this eve of Christmas Eve, I read a story about a couple of small business owners in Minnesota who are standing up against the current spike in xenophobia. Their names are Elana and Danny Schwartzman, and they own the

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Pre

Posted on September 23, 2015

I’m clear that the prefix ‘pre’ indicates something that goes before something else.  For instance, a pre-nup is an agreement between two parties that is signed before the nuptial day. Pre-meditated murder is one that is planned in advance. Pre-existing

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