As I was writing recently, Feb. 28 according to my calendar, it was the last day of winter. I don’t like February. In fact, every year I try to invent a way to cut it from the calendar (apologies to my friends with February birthdays). Science says spring starts on[Read More…]
Author: JOEY BLUM for The Chronicle
Long lives, dear contacts, Chick Corea, and ‘no dittos’ from me
The names of dead friends in my contacts list are growing. Embracing mortality with a touch of humor, I’ve been joking for the past few years that I leave the dead ones in so when they outnumber the live ones I know it’s my turn to go. Years ago at[Read More…]
Lane County creating bicycle master plan
If you’re a rural resident of Lane County, there might be a bicycle in your future. Becky Taylor grew up riding her bicycle everywhere as a child in Lane County north of Coburg. “My best friend lived just across the county line and we rode to and from our homes[Read More…]
Writing provides creative outlet, opportunity to connect with others
Good writers understand “Brevity is the soul of wit,” which means, keep it short. Add another truth, “A picture is worth a thousand words,” and it’s a wonder we all don’t write comic books. I suppose the 160,000-word novel I wrote could have been 160 pictures, but trust me, the[Read More…]
A view from friends in Italy
Blum I received this note from two Italian friends. It reminds me how important America is – not just to us, but to many around the world. In light of Covid, perhaps a celebration of democracy could happen by July 4. “We think there is only one way to give[Read More…]
Science, honesty should guide our Covid response
Blum “Waist deep in the big muddy, and the big fool says to push on.” – Pete Seeger The Fool referred to in the above lyric was President Lyndon Baines Johnson, who, despite sober assessments that the war in Vietnam was unwinnable, continued escalating a conflict that eventually cost[Read More…]
My favorite Christmas songs
Blum “It’s coming on Christmas, they’re cutting down trees, they’re putting up reindeer and singing songs of joy and peace, Oh I wish I had a river, I could skate away on.” – River, Joni Mitchell We received our first Christmas letter the day after Thanksgiving from an old[Read More…]
Happy to be alive; so, uh, how was your holiday?
Blum How did you spend your Thanksgiving week? The Monday before Thanksgiving, I experienced an abdominal attack that was so concerning we called 911 at two o’clock in the morning. Thirty minutes later, a welcome cavalry of ambulances and EMT’s showed up at our door and calmly determined I was[Read More…]
Experts? Who needs ’em?
Blum “I know a guy who’s got a lot to lose, He’s a pretty nice fella, but kind of confused. He’s got muscles in his head that ain’t never been used …” – “That’s The Way The World Goes Round” by John Prine In today’s “information at your fingertips” world,[Read More…]
Civil liberty more precious than properly placed comma
Blum After 54 years of writing, you would think I could place a comma properly: think again. While my ear for proper language is strong, proper written grammar eludes me. My sister, Bessie, an assassin of a copy editor, has graciously been my lifetime editor. About how I use commas[Read More…]