Late morning, Thursday, Starbucks at 15th and Fremont, I glance up at the next table and see an older gentleman feeding his dog some yogurty substance with the same spoon with which he, the…

My friend Jen in Oakland sent me a text last week and – well, here it is — “Hey Buddy. How goes it? I’m reading this book right now and had a strong desire…

Dozens and dozens and dozens of books are scattered through the reading area here in the basement. In piles, all alone, leaning against walls. As patient as me. For the last number of days…

Both my sons called me yesterday. Spenser called when I was out on a long, hot, late-afternoon walk to talk about ‘Goosebumps.’ We talked about ‘Goosebumps.’ Cameron called in between long walks, when I…

Saturday afternoon, here and there, a heavy feel of magic all about. Shimmering through the afternoon air. After the big payout. Before the arrival of long-ago boxes. Paintings I cannot remember. Storage puzzles, box-cutting…

“Somebody once asked Maezumi Roshi, ‘What’s the purpose of Zen?’ He said, ‘To be stupid.’ Are you comfortable being stupid? To be stupid you have to throw away all your ideas about being smart,…

I found myself saying, “You’ve got to be kidding me,” later Saturday morning, though not clear who I was saying it to. Head librarian? Sexy RN? Kwan Yin on a front porch? The cost…

Pal of nutrias. Brothers and sisters, Rhododendron Garden. Hot grandma from The British Isles, orange blouse, faded blue jeans. – “Members of the otters?” Nah, that’s a nutria, your highness —- N-u- t-r-i-a. Back…

Then there was “The White Album” on headphones even later. “Won’t you come out to play?” Back to Kwan Yin; back to the nurse; back to the librarian. – “Come and keep your comrade…

I have a pencil sharpener. I have two partially-filled boxes of #6B pencils. I have kitchen scissors and a chef’s knife. I’ve been leaning into vegetarianism, though that’s not my plan. I met with…