Clinton, South Carolina, Monday, March 30, 2020, 7:45 p.m. When I read Don Quixote, I found it astonishing to learn that the art of comedy had not notably advanced in over four centuries. Salman Rushdie’s Quichotte takes Miguel de Cervantes forward and adds levels that would not have been structurally feasible in 1616, when the …
Tag: humor
Dre-e-e-e-eam, Dream, Dream, Dre-eam
Clinton, South Carolina, Thursday, March 26, 2020, 11:29 a.m. Last night I dreamed in peaceful sleep of shady summertime of old dogs, and children, and watermelon wine. – Tom T. Hall I wish. Two nights ago, I dreamed I was covering a soccer match, and players started stopping in their tracks and falling unconscious to …
The Age of Chicken Little
Clinton, South Carolina, Sunday, March 22, 2020, 9:16 a.m. Everywhere people say the sky is falling. Never mind that it is. Mostly, when my “land line” rings, it is either my mother or someone who wants my money. I hang up so often, one would in earlier times think me inconsiderate. My cell plays tricks, …
Old Times Come to Me Once More
Clinton, South Carolina, Friday, February 21, 2020, 11:20 a.m. Everything I’ve done this morning leads me in the direction of a song. I posted some thoughts on Facebook, and two people noted that it sounded like a song could be written from it. I am thus presently thinking about one. As soon as I finished …
A Quiet Man of Radio
Clinton, South Carolina, Thursday, January 30, 2020, 2:06 p.m. Bill Hogan had the same approach to broadcasting that I applied to scoring baseball games. I always tried to play it straight and be fair to both teams, not just the home one. Because I saw that team every night, I figured I would be slightly …
This Life I Have Found
Clinton, South Carolina, Thursday, January 9, 2020, 10:59 a.m. For some reason, I make big decisions quickly. I think it through, sleep on it, get up thoughtful, and decide what I want to do. What I agonize over is small decisions. Deciding what I’m in the mood for at dinner – I never heard it …
Easily Mistaken for the Mystical
Clinton, South Carolina, Monday, December 23, 2019, 1:17 p.m. Most bad things have good sides, and vice-versa. For a solid week, I have been sick. I’ve been getting better through the weekend. I’m close to well, though my throat is full of congestion and I don’t feel like yodeling. Last week, when I had to …
Last Days of Pompeii
Clinton, South Carolina, Tuesday, December 18, 2019, 3:24 p.m. Everyone gets sick every now and then. I don’t get sick often. The last time was 14 months ago. I’ve reached the age at which I realize that disaster is never more than a single malevolent germ away. Last night it was hard for me to …
A Hefty Week at Home
Clinton, South Carolina, Thursday, December 5, 2019, 5:30 p.m. The week has been exhausting. I’ve worked late the last three nights, twice till 1 in the morning. It’s not just the number of tales to tell. Several stories have required that I bear down because they were worth it. A long City Council meeting. The …
What a Way to Go
Clinton, South Carolina, Sunday, December 1, 2019, 10:30 a.m. It was a lone outpost consisting of a pop-up tent, a silver-gray trailer with a big-screen TV, another whose screen wasn’t as big, tables of food, coolers of ice and beverage, and a small group of would-be celebrants. The Furman University campus was mostly vacant in …
Nightrider's Lament 