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Is This What I Really Wanted?
I have a long-time friend, a good friend who has deeply influenced my life. Though we live nearby, we rarely see each other. He’s busy. I’m retired. Still, he’s often on my mind. Last Sunday, I went to a local plant nursery. It was bustling, the parking was tight, and people moved with urgency, eager…
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Too Hard For Me To Figure Out
I wake up every day and, to the best of my ability, resist looking at the news. That resistance is often overcome by a voracious need to know what is going on with the dismantling of our institutions and culture. I find myself compelled to turn my cell phone on and read what is published…
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An Unavoidable Collision
In past blogs, I’ve shared that my partner and I spend our winters in Tucson mainly because of the exceptional cycling opportunities. On average, we ride around 150 miles a week, taking advantage of the diverse terrain, which includes riding through the mountains, the foothills, and a unique feature known as “The Loop.” Officially called…
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Staring Death In The Face
I love hosting dinner parties. My partner and I had several friends over for a Christmas Day meal. I was in heaven, planning, shopping, cooking, preparing, and completing all the tasks needed to feed eight people. I am nourished not only by the food, but equally by the intimate connection that these gatherings engender. Before…
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That’s Not What I Chose
I was gathered around a fire pit in a friend’s yard. I sat with six of my closest friends, men I deeply trust, men who know my heart and the truth of my being. I love sitting around a fire. It feels primordial, something that calls to my ancient humanity. Something done for generations provided…
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I Received a Valuable Gift
I have often mentioned that I am an ardent bike rider. I am a solid B- rider. On average, I ride about 150 miles a week. In warmer weather, the local bike club I belong sponsors a Tuesday night ride. It is rated an A ride. It leaves promptly at 6:00 pm. It is an…
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It Not Free
A few weeks ago, I participated in a plant medicine ceremony. I took six grams of psilocybin, enough to be considered a heroic dose. I’ve written about my experience using hallucinogens in several of my blogs. It is something I’ve engaged in over the past fifty years, not consistently, just as needed. Over the last…
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Us Against Them
I need to preface this blog with a disclaimer. I need to be categorical when I say I am not religious. I have absolutely no religious affiliation. I am, however, a deeply spiritual person. My blog posts share my observations based solely on my life experience, observations and learning. To say we live in a…
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Waiting to Find Out
It’s been almost one year since I underwent a colectomy to remove a cancerous tumor. The surgeon removed 14 inches of my colon and pronounced me “cured.” The initial diagnosis was stage one cancer. That diagnosis saved me from further treatment. No chemo. No radiation. I remind myself daily just how fortunate I am. Since…
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I Couldn’t See Even Sitting in the Front Row
My friend texted me that he needed to talk. In his short text, he shared that our last conversation left him unsettled. I am always left uncomfortable when receiving an ambiguous message. My mind always defaults to, “So what did I do wrong?” I was soon to find out exactly what I did. When we…
Lean into your life 