October 2020

Editor’s Page By Victoria A. Schmidt Depression and anger are little-discussed side effects of COVID. We would have to be blind, deaf, and dumb not to have had a least a small bout of depression during this time. As independent people we were not prepared for this in any way. Now, I’m not talking politics […]

Nonni Hits the Dispensary By Karen Shiebler Back in the olden days, when I was young and we called it grass, I rarely indulged in recreational marijuana. But times have changed, and Nonni has joined the growing list of aging potheads. Thanks to a few conflicting but minor ailments, I am now a fibromyalgia patient

If Our Pets Could Talk By Jackie Kellum   Preparing for a vet appointment. There are two types of visits: planned and unplanned.  Obviously, one is less complex than the other, because of your ability to plan ahead of time. The planned visit involves making an appointment, taking your pet, either in a crate or

Bridge By The Lake By Ken Masson This hand caused headaches for at least one pair when played at the Lake Chapala Duplicate Bridge Club in Riberas. South, holding a powerful 2 suiter, started the bidding with his six-card diamond suit.  North replied with 1 heart and South now bid 2 spades.  Most players consider a

Vexations and Conundrums By Katina Pontikes A Knock In The Night   My husband was out of town, and I was home alone. Our narrow street, more a lane, was private, meaning the few homeowners were responsible for its maintenance, and retaining the historical integrity of the neighborhood. There were no modern amenities on the

Mirror To The Universe—Progressive Freedom By Rob Mohr   “To undertake a journey on a road never before traveled requires character         and courage: character because the choice is not obvious; courage    because the road will be lonely at first.”           —Henry Kissinger   Kissinger, with forward vision, was reflecting on the state of

“From Ghoulies and Ghosties and Long-Leggety Beasties and Things That Go Bump In The Night, Good Lord Deliver Us!” Dr. Lorin Swinehart   I do not believe in ghosts or other fell presences. I have never believed in ghosts. I place ghost sightings among other imaginary entities that appeal to the naive and hyperemotional: Sasquatch,

Portal to Your Own Path A review by Xill Fessenden of Poems for Flourishing by Susa Silvermarie   In these times of chaos and suspense, when our minds are cluttered with uncertainties, there is a need to untangle the onslaught of information, to rest within our being, and to flourish in the essence of who we

Shipping & Handling Not Included By Tom Nussbaum I fled to Mexico to get away from them and their control over me. They were taking my money and sanity. They had a chokehold on me. I had to get away. But the nightmare is over. I am free, free I say, of infomercials. It’s because

Centro Educativo Jaltepec Staying Connected   The challenges have been unique for the teachers and staff and students at Centro Educativo Jaltepec, located on the mountainside at Jocotepec. This is the only technical university in all of Mexico offering a degree in Hotel & Hospitality Management, promising to “transform young women for life.” Teachers and