It is early morning and like many early mornings, the reason why I can't sleep is that inspiration wants to speak. Softly tugging, until I start to stir and then finally to rise and walk over to my desk. I look out my office window, and the world is black at least that's the view. I wonder if Hemingway did the same. I have a picture of the view from his desk as a screen saver on my laptop.   A view of Havana miles away. Two huge Prince palm trees frame the landscape, with miles of greenery eventually surrendering itself to the city beyond and below. I wonder if he could smell from the top of his oasis, the aroma of the salty sea, mixed with the ever-present stench of unrefined diesels. Did he, like me, stare out in the blackness hoping for light. Did the ink ever dry waiting for words. Like my fingers hovering just above the keys, wondering if the magic is going to happen. I am up before the sun and the birds this morning, so it seems. It will be a couple ho...

We play cards every other Tuesday at my sister's house. Oliver the cat is the Prince of the house. When his loyal subjects (my sister and husband) mention that my partner and I are coming over he will leave his throne (a suction cup lounge chair stuck on the window) and meet us at the door. But he isn't really interested in us as much as he is interested in escaping the condo to run down the hallway. We think he is waiting for us to acknowledge his princely persona as he allows us to pat his head and if we are lucky a tummy rub. I never rub his tummy, I have seen what happens to my brother inlaw when it goes from a tummy rub to rough housing.  The cat is smart enough to know when it is suppertime and he eats his at the same time. After supper we talk a bit and then it time for cards. This is when the cat will do one of two things. Jump on the counter to see what we had to eat or walk back to the window throne but not before he gets kicked of the counter a few times....

Funny thing happened at the gas pump. I know there’s nothing funny about gas or the price of it but thanks to the redneck in front of me, I did have a little chuckle.   He was filling up his three-tone (brown, white and rust) supercharged truck. He must have been in a hurry; he didn’t even have time to dress. I could tell he was pissed off. Probably because he wanted to race to the next red light and had to stop for gas along the way. Now, I’m not the kind of guy who questions other people’s attire, but on this day I did. He was wearing a bath robe and slippers. Before I move on, I want to offer a tip. Never get gas behind a pickup truck at Native Canadian gas station. I will guarantee you he is packing a shit ton of jerry cans in the payload. This guy clearly had no shame. After the fill up, he walked in to pay and filled up an envelope with lottery tickets before leaving. There I was waiting right behind Cousin Eddie from Christmas vacation. Sometimes I feel like I’m bein...

They still have no smoking signs lit up in the airplanes. Smoking hasn’t been allowed for years but I guess they have to make sure.  Just wondering. Who tells the engines? Safety tips Every trip starts with safety. How many Becky's and bob's have their head looking down at their cell phones instead?  I would love to be the follow up guy for those who didn’t pay attention. Instead of handing out reward towels or peanuts, I’d hand out long underwear.  For all passengers who didn’t take time to learn about safety. In the event of an emergency put your long underwear on pull down the flap in back and kiss your ass goodbye . Take your seat I try to stay slim. I want to sit in my assigned seat, not assigned seats. I think they should assign seats based on urinary function. To be assigned a window seat would depend. Do you have a good bladder or are you wearing depends? Nature calls Going to the bathroom on a train is doable. The side-to-side motion is usually easy...

                           A reflection     We must tread lightly not to disturb the waters. Ever person has a ship. Everyone believes they can paddle towards the other side. It is easy to say we believe in someone, But this is not enough when that person has lost belief in themselves and thinks everyone feels this way about them. Sabotage is a habit, when all we know of self worth is lack., substance takes over our spirit. A moments pleasure takes over our lives. Craving eventually kills. Clipping the wings of hope and spirit. But belief can start in a moments spark. Don't look at the years as lost. Don't look on this day as the habitual, oh hum. Put your hands on the oars if only for moment. A Prayer Dear Lord please give me enough light to see. Enough calm to hope. Enough strength to row away from this pain. I only ask for one moment to be free from ...