Alexis Rankin Popik's Blog, page 13
January 20, 2020
Poem: A writer’s lament during the holidays — Musings, Magic, San Miguel and More
Note: This hilarious “poem” is by my friend Robert Hawkins, who perfectly captures what I go through in the days before I post my weekly blog. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Alexis That moment when … Continue reading →
January 13, 2020
EMINENT VS. IMMINENT
With the news of the past week even more scary and depressing than what has become normal, I find myself focusing on what I know much more about than the very complicated crisis in the Middle East: the English language. Words matter. Thus, … Continue reading →
January 6, 2020
RESOLUTIONS 2020 AND OTHER B.S.
Every New Year, I make resolutions that I seldom keep. This year the resolution I hope will succeed is to stop swearing. The problem is, I enjoy swearing. It’s a small and satisfying way to let off steam. I would like to think it … Continue reading →
December 23, 2019
A CHILD’S CHRISTMAS IN MARION
From the archive….December 2015. (I think it’s time for A Child’s Christmas in Oakland.) Last week, I published a copy of “A Child’s Christmas in Wales.” Now, Kamiko is back in Marion for Christmas, asking me if we can play … Continue reading →
December 9, 2019
NO MALARKEY!
“No Malarkey!” and no fear, Dear Reader, that this week’s blog is political. Instead, Joe Biden’s new campaign slogan got me thinking about how much words matter. If a candidate is looking for young voters, “No Malarkey” is a slogan that isn’t … Continue reading →
November 25, 2019
HAPPY THANKSGIVING 2019
Meet “The Limper,” a turkey who lives in the woods behind our former abode in Hartford, CT. Despite a hinky leg, he has survived year after year, avoiding coyotes, bobcats, and whatever other predators lurk in the bushes. Here in … Continue reading →
November 18, 2019
AGING
Aging: as the saying goes, “It beats the alternative.” I have searched the internet for the origins of this cliché and there is no definitive answer but lots of suggestions. You could say the same about the benefits of aging: there is no definitive … Continue reading →
November 4, 2019
WHAT I’M READING
I have been reading more than usual these past few weeks while my shoulder and arm are healing. It has been such a pleasure to lie around, guilt free, and catch up with some favorite authors. Here’s last week’s list: THE DUTCH … Continue reading →
October 28, 2019
Black(out) and Blue
This was to be a note that, due to my restricted black and blue shoulder (see blog of Oct. 7), I am planning to take a couple of weeks off and will return when I can type with all ten … Continue reading →
October 21, 2019
Autumn Leaves and Leaving
In the autumn of 1996, Norm appeared at my kitchen door and told me he had come to say “goodbye.” Our family had moved to Connecticut from California six months earlier and Norm was one of my few friends. We … Continue reading →
