Author Archive

Running Like A Stubborn Old Red Mule

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Running Like A Stubborn Old Red Mule

Writing is hard. Personally, I’d rather read. So, I will be offering Throwback Thursdays as needed. It’s Thursday in Europe.2015, still trying to convince myself there was still a chance I could run. And ‘still’ it was. “Old age is very demanding somehow,” author Kay Boyle once wrote a much younger friend. “One knows what…

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Introducing The 2024 Boston Marathon

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Introducing The 2024 Boston Marathon

I thought about how many preconceived notions would crumble when I trotted along for 26 miles. – Bobbi Gibb, first woman to finish the Boston Marathon, 1966 Where To Watch This year’s Boston Marathon will be aired live in its entirely throughout New England on WCVB-Channel 5 (coverage from 4:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.), and nationally on…

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My Name Is Dick and I’ll Be Your Waiter This Evening

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My Name Is Dick and I’ll Be Your Waiter This Evening

I was in the machine. My whole life. Then the machine coughed and spat me out. So I thought, OK, if I’m out, I’m out. All the way out. I was a little angry and it was probably an immature reaction. But I got used to it. – Lee Child, One Shot I recently came across…

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Bob Hodge Goes A Few Rounds With The B.A.A.

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Bob Hodge Goes A Few Rounds With The B.A.A.

Nostalgia in reverse, the longing for yet another strange land, grew especially strong in spring. – Vladimir Nabokov The Boston Marathon is sacred to many of us. You know who you are. Bob Hodge, for example. And me, too. Forty-five years ago, Bob Hodge, bib No. 1066, finished third in the Boston Marathon. Right behind Bill…

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The Cerberus Trio

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The Cerberus Trio

In the cookie of life, friends are the chocolate chips. – Salman Rushdie Cerberus is a vicious three-headed dog.  Basically, my spirit animal. In Greek mythology, Cerberus (/ˈsɜːrbərəs/; Greek: Κέρβερος Kerberos [ˈkerberos]), often called the “hound of Hades”, is the monstrous multi-headed dog that guards the gates of the Underworld to prevent the dead from…

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Another Alien Abduction (Doggy-Style)

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Another Alien Abduction (Doggy-Style)

This piece is dedicated to Joe Henderson, the legendary running writer and editor. The guy who made Dr. George Sheehan sound coherent. Joe once told me – we became friends because I wanted to be just like him, only taller and faster – ‘you can reuse a piece every four years because your readership will…

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Easter Dog Finds Five Brown Eggs

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Easter Dog Finds Five Brown Eggs

“The Easter bunny is real. I shih tzu not.” Five brown eggs in a nest of hay, One yellow chick popped out to play. Four brown eggs in a nest of hay, Another yellow chick cheep-cheeped “good day”. Three brown eggs in a nest of hay, Crack went another one, Hip Hooray! Two brown eggs…

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Good Friday 2024

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Good Friday 2024

Good Friday is the mirror held up by Jesus so that we can see ourselves in all our stark reality, and then it turns us to that cross and to his eyes and we hear these words, Father forgive them for they know not what they do. That’s us! – Robert G. Trache Happy Good Friday!…

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Ever Hear Of The Scottsboro Boys?

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Ever Hear Of The Scottsboro Boys?

If Southern white men are not careful, they will overreach themselves and public sentiment will have a reaction; a conclusion will then be reached which will be very damaging to the moral reputation of their women. – Ida B. Wells-Barnett, The Red Record I saw a headline. Nine Black Teens Falsely Accused of Rape in Alabama And…

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Robin-Song

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Robin-Song

If not for you, winter wouldn’t hold no spring, couldn’t hear a robin sing. I just wouldn’t have a clue, if not for you. – Bob Dylan Got a note from Jay Birmingham. “I read something on your site that spurred me to compose.” Take that as a great compliment. So, here it is.  Robin-Song…

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