Author Archives: rike52

Is there anything prettier than a flat of fresh Fragaria ananassa, right from the market? Our farmer informs us that this is probably it, as the berries remaining in his field are getting too ripe to pick, so Saturday is iffy. This is our third flat of the season, so we’ve had our share.  InContinue reading “berry nice days”

Here’s my Grandpa Slater standing out front of Engine House#10 on Division, sometime in February 1929. He’s the tall handsome guy to the left of the fire truck. How about those bow ties! He’d retire in 1959. He almost died in the line of fire once. That’s what I’m writing about. Tentative title “Grandpa’s closeContinue reading “Grandpa at 30”

Yes, that apostrophe’s in the right place.  With those two Moms I told you about (1) came two Dads, each a gem and a blessing.  And both gone.  Yes, I will always miss them both very much.  Curiously, both were named Dick. Common name in their day, I suppose.  Who wouldn’t want a son whoContinue reading “Dads’ day”

Thanks to R. Crumb, who first published these strips in 1971, when I could have posed A funny thing happened on the way to my stoned retirement.  Come end of this month, it will have started 4 years ago.  In the idle months leading up to that fateful date, I had time to figure whatContinue reading “agin’?”

Yesterday afternoon, we gathered in Chelsea to celebrate the well-lived life of Barbara Weidner Ike, who left us last February at 81.  Her husband Ron, who flew the F-4 Phantom in the Navy before moving on to larger personnel carriers bearing the colors of Republic, Northwest, and Delta – is a distant cousin.  I’d knownContinue reading “bye, Barb”

I’ve vowed several times to stop blogging about coronavirus. The pandemic is over, just like Uncle Joe said, and I should be bored with it. Mostly I am, but this video from David Martin PhD before the Europe Parliament caught my eye. From my old virologist’s vantage, none of this is implausible, and all ofContinue reading “corona”

Tickets to Boz Scagg’s concert at Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids were already sold out and got me realizing I’ve got to keep better track of my favorites as other folks seem to like ‘em too.  I’ve been going to concerts since before I could drive, starting with Tiny Tim (1)  in Las Vegas whileContinue reading “anywhere! anytime!”

Memorial Day is a time to remember and respect those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.  Fortunately, my dear dad emerged from World War II unscathed, living a long and happy life until leaving 20 years ago in March.  But he considered his time in the service as the best thing he everContinue reading “Sgt. Ike”

I’ve missed the anniversary  of the canonization of Joan of Arc, who entered sainthood thanks to Pope Benedict XV on May 16, 1920.  That’s a long time to serve as a martyr, leading the French to victory over the English at Orleans in 1429 and in effect securing the coronation of King Charles VII ,Continue reading “Jean d’Arc”

A friend offered such nice condolences for my mom’s recent passing (1), I felt compelled to offer her some information about this person she never knew.  Here’s what I wrote: Mom was a spitfire.  Chose to carry me when she got knocked up at 19 even though cad-Dad offered to pay to “take care ofContinue reading “bye, Mom”