Monthly Archives: November 2000

You have to work at creating your own culture. – Morrie Schwartz Morrie goes on to explain: “But the big things–how we think, what we value–those you must choose yourself. You can’t let anyone–or any society–determine those for you.” I … Continue reading →

Another long stint at the hospital today. Dad was less responsive this morning than yesterday. I fed him lunch, but he wouldn’t even mumble. But after they switched him to another room by a window, I noticed his eyes fluttering … Continue reading →

Learn how to die, and you learn how to live. – Morrie Schwartz Morrie says “Do what the Buddhists do. Every day, have a little bird on your shoulder that asks, ‘Is today the day? Am I ready? Am I … Continue reading →

I’m back at the hospital today, keeping watch on the ol’ man. He hasn’t improved since last night. Just barely communicating, still not opening his eyes, not responsive to questions. I asked him if he could pray the rosary and … Continue reading →

I stayed at the hospital till about 6 last night. Dad kept improving throughout the afternoon, gradually communicating a little more, and even eating a full liquid dinner. I told the nurse we needed social services to get involved since … Continue reading →

One man cannot do right in one department of life while he is occupied in doing wrong in any other department. Life is one indivisible whole. – Mahatma Gandhi One thing that’s always bugged me about so many of our … Continue reading →

I’m here at St. Joe’s Hospital in downtown St. Paul. My dad’s been here for a week now, initially to recover from dehydration. He was doing better by the end of last week but had a seizure on Saturday and … Continue reading →

I rented a Sportster to ride today. It doesn’t have a windshield so it was a bit nippy coming home yesterday afternoon once the sun went down. I’m piling on the layers this morning though it’s warmer than I thought … Continue reading →

… if anybody is going to be liberated, it’s men who must be liberated in this country. – Barbara Jordan I don’t know the context of Jordan’s remark, but I tend to agree. Susan Faludi’s book “Stiffed” is a chronicle … Continue reading →

The manner in which one endures what must be endured is more important than the thing that must be endured. – Dean Acheson Who do I most admire in the world today? Nelson Mandela, because of the way he endured … Continue reading →

It’s been three days in a row now that Robbie’s felt reasonably good. The steriods/prednisone seems to be out of her system pretty much. So last night we had a romantic campfire on top of the big hill where I’ve … Continue reading →

Today I sent out semi-individualized email messages to the 35 or so guys who responded to my “I Pray. But Not Like That.” piece back in July and August, as well as a couple of other pieces. I asked them … Continue reading →

A man is rich in proportion to the number of things he can do without. – Henry David Thoreau This is a tough one in this consumer culture. I like to think I could do without my computing tools and … Continue reading →

When we are not sure, we are alive. – Graham Greene This initially made me think of Male Answer Syndrome, an affliction best characterized by Cliff Claven on Cheers and our current crop of presidential candidates. I have it, too. … Continue reading →

I got a stack of used books from Powell’s yesterday. One of them is “Meditations for Men Who Do Too Much” by Jonathon Lazear, the literary agent I’d like to approach about a Real Joe book. It occurred to me … Continue reading →

The site is now live. YEAH! The newsletter mailing lists are working. The discussion boards are open and mostly seeded properly. All in all, I’m pretty pleased with how everything looks and functions thus far. I’ve got 4 guys lined … Continue reading →