Robert (Bob) A. Madle passed on October 8th 2022. He was 102 years old, and a long time science fiction fan. I met Bob just a few years ago, in 2016, when he came to a room party that I hosted at Philcon. We both grew up in the Kensington neighborhood in Philadelphia (more than… Continue reading Robert A. Madle, Letters to Magazines
Category: Ramblings
Feast of the Seven Fishes
A Chrtismas Eve tradition in my family. Any seven fishes will do, this is just one list: 1. Stuffed Calamari Ingredients: 3 pounds of squid, approximately 1½ inch diameter 4 cups (30oz) bread crumbs 1 bell pepper, finely chopped 3 stalks celery, finely chopped 5 green onions, finely chopped 10 cloves fresh garlic, minced chopped… Continue reading Feast of the Seven Fishes
The Fear List
Since 1993 I’ve been keeping a fear list. A list of quotes, sayings, and proverbs about fear. Here’s what I have so far: A life lived in fear is a life half lived. —Spanish proverb, from Strictly Ballroom A ship is safe in harbor, but that is not what ships are for. —Rear Admiral Grace… Continue reading The Fear List
2018 goals: midpoint
This is the halfway mark. Not much has changed in my initial goals, but I still feel like I’m making decent progress. Additional things have popped up that I’ve had to address, above and beyond my personal goals, so in one sense that may be slowing me down, but in another I’m pretty pleased with… Continue reading 2018 goals: midpoint
Hot bacon grease dressing
4 ounces of bacon, diced 1 small onion, minced (optional) ½ cup mild vinegar 1 tablespoon Sugar 1 teaspoon salt Pinch of mustard Dice the bacon, this will serve as bacon bits after it has been fried. Mince the onion. Fry bacon to a light brown; remove the bacon bits and into the hot grease… Continue reading Hot bacon grease dressing
How am I going to pay for this?
My daughter is earning her college degree. Which is a peculiar phrase because really she’s paying for the degree. Which is another peculiar phrase because most young adults fresh out of high school don’t have $80,000 or more to pay for a four-year degree. So I guess the actual phrase is more like she’s promising… Continue reading How am I going to pay for this?
2018 goals: first 3 months
The bitter cold and late snow has slowed me down in some of my goals, but it’s still early enough to make gains. Here’s the current status of my 2018 goals… By the end of 2018 I’d like to have: Painted 50 paintings: Expected: 12; Actual: 0. Ran a cumulative 1000 miles: Expected: 250; Actual:… Continue reading 2018 goals: first 3 months
2018 goals
It’s 2018. I’m alert and active again. Who knows how long it will last? Here’s a written account of what I promised myself I’d attempt to get done this year… By the end of 2018 I’d like to have: Painted 50 paintings Ran a cumulative 1000 miles Written 50 blog posts (49!) Posted 12 videos… Continue reading 2018 goals
Alive.
I’m currently entertaining existential and nihilistic thoughts. Chalk it up to too many years of thinking too hard. I have a great family, great friends, great career, great coworkers. I’m a happy and optimistic nihilist. Digging up the past; looking forward. Trying not to hold myself back. I don’t even know if I want to… Continue reading Alive.
My father’s eulogy
My father—born August 30, 1948—passed away on January 12th, 2012 of complications due to lung cancer. This is the eulogy I wrote and read at his funeral. When your father dies, you sit down and think about what they say a father should be and what they say a father should do. There’s an unspoken… Continue reading My father’s eulogy