My Sick Mind

1995 . Nearly a century ago. I was married, and figuring that the end was near.  The wife had already “forgotten” my birthday in October, and I was half-heartedly shopping for a Christmas gift that would ultimately disappoint her. I can’t recall what I bought - doesn’t matter, really - but I do remember what she had for me. It is forever etched in my memory, unlike so many other Christmas gifts past. Our tradition (such as it was) was to open gifts on Christmas Eve, supposedly to save us the fuss of the Christmas morning ritual, I don’t know, really.  We had a tree. A real one, because she insisted, so OK, we went out and I cut down a tree. The reward was pine needles in our living room. That is beside the point. Whatever I had gotten for her was brought out. I suspect it was a sweater or some other conservative, concealing article of clothing. I wouldn’t dare buy her anything suggestive like a negligee or anything from Victoria’s Secret. She had her own secret, which would b...

OK, so here we are, almost four months into this Covid-19 thingy. Where am I? Precisely where I was before it started. Right here, in my living room. Way back in March, we all thought, “It will be over soon. After all, HE said it would be done by Easter.” He, who? He. Him. The guy in the White House who still isn’t wearing a mask and has disbanded the Covid Task Force. The same Task Force that is now being led by his Vice President, who told us to pray. Yeah, that’s right. We’re supposed to pray for this to be over. I guess, that’s because it’s all they have left. Thoughts and Prayers. In other words, nothing. So, here I sit, burning citronella candles and staring at the Moon. It’s not a bad life, but it could be better. Today, Governor Murphy said that the planned “indoor dining” option was suspended indefinitely. Primarily because other states have fucked it up, and he was afraid that New Jersey would further add to the issue. I haven’t said much lately, since I don’...