Hope youse had a Merry Christmas! Remember, this is just the beginning, if you play your cards right (1). Boxing Day has its own traditions, like me writing this Christmas letter. Congratulations to you boomers out there who caught that reference in the title to Zager & Evans’ ’69 hit (2). Listening to those apocalyptic 60s songs –Continue reading “In the year 2525 (less 1/2 a millennium)”
Tag Archives: family
Head in Tree Town, Heart in the ‘burg
This was my entry to the 11th annual SW Michigan Tournament of Writers. When the winners were named April 24th, mine wasn’t among them. I share it here for those who don’t want to buy the book (1). A lucky dog was this Ike(2) in ’64 as Fisher Body’s brass kicked my dad from TechContinue reading “Head in Tree Town, Heart in the ‘burg”
All Souls
My dear Catholic friend Angie reminded me this morning that in her Church, today is All Souls’ Day, conclusion of the spiritual triumvirate they’ve made out of this cross-quarter day (halfway between autumn equinox and winter solstice) Samhain: All Hallows Eve (which we heathens know as Halloween), All Saints’ Day, and All Souls Day. The firstContinue reading “All Souls”
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”
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”
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”
Moms
I face this Mothers’ Day as a full blown orphan for the first time in 15 years. It’s a situation I thought I’d be facing for the rest of my life after May 17, 1963 the day I found my mom stretched out and dead on the couch when I came home for lunch. MyContinue reading “Moms”
Auntie KC
So you know where it goes: years of NASA immersion, a decade of telling undergrads how to write, it can only come out as Children’s Books! That’s where my sweetie dove, big time, and we’re getting ready to reap the efforts. She’s dabbled in children’s books before, writing 2 that featured her nieces and nephews and theirContinue reading “Auntie KC”
mega ghee
It began as something for the Spei family mid-February Christmas celebration extravgangza. The February date allows individuals to have their close family Christmas then be available sometime after Valentine’s Day for a bigger blowout. My birthdad, Dick Spei, was a gourmet/gourmand who taught all his offspring to approach each meal as if it were their last, adviceContinue reading “mega ghee”
merry! merry!
‘Tis the season! For the last few years, my wife Kathy has gotten me to write a Christmas letter detailing our adventures in the past year. It’s great fun to relive those experiences, and even more to figure which of your friends, family, and acquaintances you’re going to inflict them upon. This year, we dug up 130 victims. ThankContinue reading “merry! merry!”
Bob Ike's blog 