I started earning a regular paycheck in 1979 and have lived 5 places since then. At no point did I have a proper mancave till now. I had to exude toxic masculinity and smoke cigars all over the house. Since I have an understanding wife, a pretty big house, and don’t really smoke cigars anymore, there were noContinue reading “mancave! and so clean!!”
Author Archives: rike52
milk, milk, lemonade…
Now all of you who just completed that phrase, raise your naughty little hands! No, this isn’t a treatise on childhood snigger porn – good one for later – but results of my cost analysis of making that classic summer refresher. My motivation was my rediscovery of the Arnold Palmer drink as part of my continuingContinue reading “milk, milk, lemonade…”
head, heart
I spent a little time last week in the village where I was a teen, Vicksburg. The occasion was the awards ceremony for the Southwest Michigan Tournament of Writers. I’d received dispensation the year before from the director to enter, even though I was not a local. The stipulation was that I confine my writings to Vicksburg. I did,Continue reading “head, heart”
burn, baby!
Ten years ago, today was one of those beautiful Ann Arbor early May days much like today might turn out. I write this by the fire looking out at cloudy and 45, but it’s early and I have faith in Michigan weather. Another day for sweats and shorts, in sequence for certain, and likely at the sameContinue reading “burn, baby!”
recipes II
It’s a wonderful thing when a patient becomes a friend. Such was the case with Valda from Kalamazoo. We found that we shared much in our views on food, music, and politics, and concern for the future of Kalamazoo. She became sort of a protegée, as I guided her along recipes, including some from myContinue reading “recipes II”
against…
My Spotify turns up endless delights. Tonight, my “Cat Stevens Radio” Spotify channel spit up an old Bob Seger classic that’s always been very meaningful to me (1). As I felt once again these lyrics in my soul, I thought perhaps most superficial fans missed the meaning of this song. Sure, it’s about how tough life is,Continue reading “against…”
parking
Today’s blog serves as an accessible reference list to “Head in Tree Town, Heart in the ‘burg”, an essay I submitted yesterday to the Southwast Michigan Tournament of Writers. Because readers will see only print, I provide a link to this page so the reader can access the links to which the references refer. TheContinue reading “parking”
accident, 1968
An essay I’m about to submit to the Southeast Michigan Tournament of Writers (1) weaves around the writing of my first book, a process that really strengthened my ties to my old home town. Started in February ’19, first published May ’21 and updated March ’23, The Accident tells of that awful week in OctoberContinue reading “accident, 1968”
how lucky
Listening to John Prine’s Spotify channel last night got me thinking about a project I started years ago and now might be about time to deploy. I’ll link John’s song about this at the end, but first let me relate the details. From my birth I’ve been lucky. After a while you wonder what the pattern means.Continue reading “how lucky”
land of ice
That’s how Norseman Hrafna (Raven) Flóki (getting that nickname as he used ravens to find land from out at sea)) called it when in 868 AD he became the 3rd European to set foot on this little island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, sailing the 1300 km (800 mi) from the Faroe Islands by Scotland (1). Tho’Continue reading “land of ice”
Bob Ike's blog 