Category Archives: Writer

Writing, its joys and discontents.

Fixin’ to Die Blues

Fi     Memphis Earlene says she’s been fixin’ to die ever since she was born.  Fixin’ to die is an important part of the blues lifestyle. “You should try it sometime,” she says. ” I’m determined to outlive the … Continue reading

Posted in Blues, Existentialism, mental health, Writer | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Boomer Geezer Blues

Hanging out on the Virtual Verandah with Memphis Earlene and the gang, recuperating from Labor Day festivities, which involved Single Malt Scotch. Now I’m drinking penance–unsweetened cranberry juice. In a gesture of patriotism, Memphis Earlene has renounced White Russians and … Continue reading

Posted in Blues, Book, Boomer Geezer, Depression, Existentialism, Humor, mental health, Writer, Yemen | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Birthday Blues

  April 20……..Hitler’s birthday. Mine as well. I’m in a Doctors waiting room in Amherst Virginia, been here for two hours, FOX NEWS on the TV. Springtime for Hitler doesn’t feel so much like a joke. I got a tick … Continue reading

Posted in Blues, Book, Existentialism, Humor, Literature, women, Writer | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Sweet Memories of Yemen Blues

Yemen: 2006. I’m the only woman in the room, I’m chewing qat for the first time, and I’m doing it wrong, masticating the tender green leaves into pulp and then swallowing, as though I’m eating salad greens.   Despite my faux pas, … Continue reading

Posted in Blues, Cannibis Cooking, Existentialism, Humor, Literature, qat, women, Writer | 2 Comments

Memphis Earlene Schools Me Again

There’s no place in the Blues for “My Child Didn’t Get into an Elite Pre-school.Children do not belong in the Blues. Lost my Baby in the Mall? A heartstopper if you’re the parent but it’s not the Blues. ” Don’t … Continue reading

Posted in Blues, Book, Existentialism, Humor, Inspirational, Literature, mental health, Religion, Writer | Tagged | 1 Comment

Love Letter to the IRS

Dear Internal Revenue Service, This is a love letter. Bet you don’t get many of those.[1] Mind if I call you Irving? You’ve been called worse. Some think hating you is the highest form of patriotism. I, on the other hand, … Continue reading

Posted in Blues, Humor, Literature, mental health, Occupy Wall Strteet, Taxes, Writer | Tagged , | 7 Comments

Breadloaf Blues

Breadloaf Blues.

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DMV Blues Part Deux

Tough love from Blues Legend Memphis Earlene was yesterday.  Today it’s time for Franco-Therapy. Everything’s better in France, especially if you’re an Older Woman, according to Scarlett, my fashion consultant.  Everything improves when translated into the French version. She’s back … Continue reading

Posted in Blues, France, Humor, mental health, women, Writer | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

DMV Blues

‘I went down to the Department of Motor Vehicles/ To get my license renewed…..” The official line is  I get better with age, like good whiskey, but tell that to the  camera.  Getting a new photo ID is like being confronted with … Continue reading

Posted in Blues, Book, Humor, mental health, women, Writer | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Blues for Beginners: Rousing the Sales Force

“Woke up this morning,…..and went back to sleep”   That’s the lyrics to Epstein-Barre Blues, written by Memphis Earlene Gray before she turned commercial on me.  She wants her place in Wikipedia, if only as a footnote. She needs a sales … Continue reading

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