Misery Remembered: 3 Scenes From A Coal Town
A visit to a small coal mining town unveiled some terrible stories of life in the mines and the abuses of the coal industry. Continue reading Misery Remembered: 3 Scenes From A Coal Town
Author: Todd Fulginiti
Bye Bye Bison: A Hateful Story
The only reason I stopped at that particular gas station was because they had a giant, brightly painted wooden sculpture of a squirrel (or maybe it was a groundhog) all dressed up in backpacking gear, out front. You could see it from the highway. My usual instinct when I need gas is to keep driving and fill up later, playing chicken with an empty gas tank. Continue reading Bye Bye Bison: A Hateful Story
No Effort, No Problem?
Well, here we go again. I’m about to advocate not doing work. It seems I do this fairly often. But it’s not that I’m lazy or against giving an effort, it’s just that sometimes the best effort involves making no effort. In other words- breaks are good and we should take them without beating ourselves up over it. For example, I’ve been on vacation all … Continue reading No Effort, No Problem?
Stray Kitten Karma- A True Story
Son of a bitch… Are you kidding me? Again?!”
I stared down at the scruffed-up little kitten who had just crawled out from under my backyard brush. Continue reading Stray Kitten Karma- A True Story
Turn Out The Lights
Remember the fireflies?
Where are they?
Remember starry nights?
Can you see them from your house? Continue reading Turn Out The Lights
My Session With Depression
When I finally picked up the phone and made the call, I got an answering machine. I waited for the beep, and said something that included the phrase “I need some help”. It was early spring, about 17 years ago. Continue reading My Session With Depression
Asshole Crow
The crow was an asshole. Sitting stubbornly on the wire while a dozen smaller birds buzzed in on him in shifts, launching their missions from nearby tree branches. Give the crow credit though, he didn’t flinch. Continue reading Asshole Crow
I Was Happy During Covid?
I hate saying it. It sounds terrible. And yet… Continue reading I Was Happy During Covid?
Why I Went To A Taylor Swift Concert
Do you know how hard it is to get Taylor Swift tickets? You literally have to win a lottery. Well… Continue reading Why I Went To A Taylor Swift Concert
Writing On Empty: My Writer’s Block Tantrum
Am I the only one having difficulty sustaining the energy to write? Continue reading Writing On Empty: My Writer’s Block Tantrum
Springtime Public Service Announcements
A few tips on how to enjoy spring without freezing, eating far away food, or getting hit by a lovesick teenager. Continue reading Springtime Public Service Announcements
Life Is A Midway Horse Racing Game?
Controlling our judgemental impulses. Continue reading Life Is A Midway Horse Racing Game?
Take A “Victory Tour”
We can’t expect to win awards for everything we do, but we can give ourselves a minute to celebrate our successes. Continue reading Take A “Victory Tour”
Lord Jim
Disclaimer: This post has very little to do with the classic novel, Lord Jim. Continue reading Lord Jim
The Bachelor Party
Surreal. I never understood what that word meant or what it felt like. Until that morning. Continue reading The Bachelor Party
Old Man Rants: Checks, Drug & Rock n Roll
Once I turned 50, I started venting my frustration at the irritations of life. It felt good, so I kept doing it. I call these periodic and hopefully humorous verbal tantrums Old Man Rants. Continue reading Old Man Rants: Checks, Drug & Rock n Roll
The Things We Do For/To Our Kids!
Bailey and I loved singing together. We did it all the time around the house and outside in the yard. Here’s what happened when we tried to take it a step further. Continue reading The Things We Do For/To Our Kids!
I Smashed My Computer And I’m Glad About It
Yep- I smashed it. But don’t look at me like that! C’mon, don’t tell me you’ve never thought about doing it. Continue reading I Smashed My Computer And I’m Glad About It
Self Doubt Can Take You Out
It started off great. I was relaxed and feeling the music. My ideas were fresh. My execution, sharp. My trumpet tone was warm, but with just enough fire to light things up when necessary. The other musicians in my trio were in the groove like usual. Despite having tired chops from a hard gig the night before, I felt like it was going to be … Continue reading Self Doubt Can Take You Out
Still Crying, Still Dying, Still Fragile
We recently passed the first anniversary of the war in Ukraine. The first images of the scene were horrible, especially the faces of the Ukrainians who were displaced, mourning loved ones, or just plain fearful of what was next. Continue reading Still Crying, Still Dying, Still Fragile