Professor of law at the University of Arizona, James Diamond, wonders “Is Healing Possible in the Wake of Rampage Shootings?” Good question, Jim. And normally I ask this question of myself, about myself. Individual shootings like mine don’t make the headlines for the most part. But their cumulative effect is considerable. Take my word for it. Or don’t. Just do the math. People are killed in ones and twos around the country every day…in circumstances that can be clearly linked to crime Read more [...]

It was mid-afternoon on Friday, and Cindy was racing up and down the hallway declaring “I’m horny, I’m horny.” Ike, who was hanging just out in the doorway to my room, muttered that he had something for Cindy to sit on. None of us doubted this. Ike had seven children. Which prompted Perry to turn to me and observe, “Maybe Ike has done a little too much sitting.” I reacted to Cindy with excitement and intimidation. She was a paraplegic who could use her two strong arms to achieve considerable Read more [...]

Death Valley. In anticipation I had it right. A chance for a few days of sun and no rain and warmth. And we had those things, just not as expected, travel being what it is. The first of which is that Nevada, true to the Spanish name, is snowy. Just look at the peaks approaching on State Highway 160. Apparently, anyone who is anyone knows that the mountains here are beautiful. Red Rock Canyon State Park being just one example. And there they were, tall snowy peaks, high enough to be above the Read more [...]

“Safety and Respect” is the official motto of the San Francisco Police. And I am all for both concepts. I stare at these words on the rear panel of a large SFPD cruiser, an SUV parked at the entrance to an alley between Valencia and Mission Streets. This cop car has managed to block the curb cut, obstructing wheelchair access on a very busy thoroughfare. The irony sings. Though I am not singing. I am fighting my way to the 16th St. BART station, trying to make it to cover before the next Read more [...]

When King Lear went stumbling around an undefined moor, well, he knew exactly what he was doing. Because if a storm doesn’t make you stumble, it’s not much of a storm, is it? Our recent version got off to a real meteorological bang. No, not thunder, although that was widely forecast. There was just an awful lot of rain in an awfully short period of time. And no one knew exactly what to do except tremble, fear and kvetch. My brother phoning from Palm Springs, assured me that the rain would be Read more [...]

For me, one of the most salient features about Virginia Wolf’s “To the Lighthouse,” involves completion. The Ramseys never get there, FYI. Which explains why this is such a wonderful day. As Jane and I were getting up, preparing for a Monday without scheduled events or responsibilities, various ideas were bandied about. Principal among them, driving to Half Moon Bay. Why? From this introvert’s perspective, a drive, some highway exposure to nature, has a way of getting me out of myself. Read more [...]