We are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for.
An author sent me this note received from the CEO of the (US) Author's Guild:
Dear all,
I am disheartened and deeply troubled by the insensitivities and refusal to listen that I saw in some of the comments that were posted in the thread titled "When is discrimination against authors by race not discrimination by authors about race?"
This forum is open to all members, and all need to feel welcome and respected. Going forward, posts that are insensitive to the historical and current hardships experienced by BIPOC and LGBTQ+ authors will be removed under our current terms of service: (https://authorsguild.org/terms-of-use/), and the person posting it will receive a strike.
A reminder that the AG Council adopted a resolution to try to address the imbalances and lack of equity in publishing, and that it is current AG policy to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, both internally and in the organizations' respective programmatic work.
See https://authorsguild.org/about/principles/our-commitment-to-diversity-equity-inclusion-and-accessibility/
The Guild will offer DEIA training to all members, and I encourage all to take it, especially if you are not familiar with the inequality and bias that BIPOC authors continue to experience today. You might find it mind-opening. We like to believe that we live in a country where all are treated equally and have equal opportunity, but we are still so far from that ideal. As writers, you have the power to change minds and so to change the world for the better. I behoove you to use your gifts to help lift us reach the American ideal of equality.
Authors today have so many challenges in front of us. We must support one another and unite to face them. Intentional divisiveness has no place in the AG, and should not be tolerated.
This is more relevant for men than women (they are not medically-equal). If over 45-50, never a bad idea to get an echo stress test on some sort of regular basis. I've seen many trim, athletic guys drop dead, or almost drop dead, with cardiac events which could have been dealt with semi-ok for years.
While it is a fact that almost half of male Western humans (Asians too) will succumb to arterial disease (and almost the other half to some cancer - something will take us down), there is no reason to speed up the former death. (Less civilized areas have people of all ages dying of infection, accidents, war, etc.) Can treatments for cadiovascular disease keep you going? Yes - just ask my 90+ year old overweight, wine-loving father-in-law who has had stents, bypass, pacemaker, and ongoing treatment for congestive heart failure, and is still truckin' and loving life.
Sheesh, it's only arthritis that really limits him now. Too many sports.
If you like Patrick O'Brian's naval stories, Thomas Cochrane's career will seem familiar. However, Cochrane's astonishing career was beyond any credible historical fiction. He should be better-known, especially with his South American exploits. There are monuments to him in Peru, Chile, and Brazil.
One heck of a life. Titanium balls for sure. Not crazy, just ballsy.
Around ten years ago Mrs. BD made me leave the house for 8 hours. Sent me hunting or fishing or whatever. She had a dumpster outside. The guys took away everything in the attic. It is bare, still.
So it seems that the basement has become the storage place. Excess. A firetrap. Sentimental stuff mostly, but 2 brass beds and a nice carved wooden trundle bed. A pair of antique rockers. Sets of china. Punch bowls. Photo albums. Photos and prints. Books. Kids' memorabilia they don't want.
My rules:
- If you don't use it and your kids don't want it, donate it or junk it. It's difficult to donate stuff nowadays unless it is desirable. In NYC it's easy because any stuff you put on the sidewalk evaporates in an hour or two. I don't live there though.
- If you don't use it ever, will it end in a dumpster when you croak? Save your kids the trouble, now.
- Extra shoes, boots, coats, clothes? Will live long enough to wear them out? Garbage. Donate only if in perfect shape.
- What about all the stuff from past hobbies? They are past, aren't they? Dust-collectors.
How do our readers do these things? Often, people wait until they move, or die.
One of my kids went to the B&H last night. Unlike many sort-of Jewish delis in NYC (which are termed "Kosher style", serving dairy and meat - especially pastrami)), B and H is a kosher dairy joint. A famous East Village hole-in-the-wall place.
Decades ago, when I was dating the future Mrs. BD, we frequented that place. We aren't Jewish. The food was cheap and good. The challah is tasty.
Digging back in my memory, I suggested that my kid try the Matzoh Ball Soup. She liked it.
My siblings and I were fed boxed cereal about every two mornings, scrambled eggs every two or three mornings, and same with oatmeal. Pancakes or waffles on Sunday before church.
I fed my little kids pickled herring with sour cream and onions most weekday mornings, cut in small chunks. It comes in jars. Or hard-boiled eggs. I figured protein was good for kids' breakfasts, and I liked it too.
I later learned that pickled herring was considered "Jewish food" in New York. Schmaltz. I thought it was Scandinavian, but it's all sorts of things. Ukrainians love it. Who doesn't like pickled herring? It has a pow effect.
I am told that Jewish people like plain pickled herring on a bagel, with a schmear. Sounds good to me, but I would add a slice of onion. But I don't bother with breakfast anyway, other than coffee. Breakfast is for growing kids.
Do you ever wonder what breakfasts NBA players were raised on? Wheaties? Or steak? I should have had some of whatever they had.
Her Beet Soup 
Around ten years ago Mrs. BD made me leave the house for 8 hours. Sent me hunting or fishing or whatever. She had a dumpster outside. The guys took away everything in the attic. It is bare, still.
Are 
Depending on how far north you live,
One of my kids went to the 
My siblings and I were fed boxed cereal about every two mornings, scrambled eggs every two or three mornings, and same with oatmeal. Pancakes or waffles on Sunday before church.