Just about every sea story starts out the same way: "No shit, this one time. . . " I guess since I'm penning this right now while out to sea on a boat towing rocks and heavy machinery to Who Knows Where, AK, why not? Even though it's not really a sea story. No shit, … Continue reading Dear Mr. J
Category: Our guests and maybe guests
Guest authors
Rough draft
Dear __, There's a guy on the Facebook who pops up once in a while. It's an older clip, looks like, and he looks kind of like a creepy version of the old Verizon commercial guy, the can-you-hear-me-now guy. Which is why he seems like a rather unlikely guy to be asked the question, Do … Continue reading Rough draft
When I swam with Juan Peron at the “Hotel of the Dictators”
The 1950s and 60s were notable for the political and military upheavals in South America. Every other week it seemed, there was another coup somewhere, with dictators either assassinated or fleeing their countries. But where, one wonders, does a disgraced dictator flee when he’s been deposed? Oddly and improbably enough, I can answer that question. … Continue reading When I swam with Juan Peron at the “Hotel of the Dictators”
Lie down in darkness
There are the suicides we understand. The terminally ill, the obvious addict, the flagrantly depressed, the murderer or criminal. Even the overdramatic teenager. But there are others that throw our whole perception of reality off axis. The singer Chris Cornell, comedian Robin Williams before him. Both enormously successful and widely adored. Why would Williams, who smiled so much and elicited even more … Continue reading Lie down in darkness
The Pass List
Katie took it upon herself to plan their seventh anniversary, hoping it might help elevate her out of the funk she’d been experiencing. She suspected that her husband Robert, a prime catch from every traditional matrimonial metric, couldn’t comprehend the desires that had recently overcome her. While she embraced their upscale suburban life, she craved … Continue reading The Pass List
Made Men
Catterly never pictured himself going out this way; standing in some god-forsaken heat sink, clad in the official old man’s uniform of big-butt cargo shorts and a Tommy Bahama Hawaiian shirt, guzzling white wine—probably Pinot Grigio, for Christ’s sake—and surrounded by a bunch of other wrinkled codgers; an entire community playing footsie with the gravedigger. No, his retirement … Continue reading Made Men
A noisy rescue
Damn, it’s hotter than two rats wrestling inside a wool sock next to the fireplace out here! I can barely concentrate on the intensity of combat with the sunburn I’ve got on the backs of my hands. It feels like they're being held inside a 400-degree oven. I misplaced my flight gloves earlier--the ones my … Continue reading A noisy rescue
Undecided in ’24 (3 of 3)
tmc: As an avowed undecided voter, I'm curious your take on a lot of former top brass speaking out against Trump. Military figures just don't do that. Maybe we can have a conversation about it for my site if you're down? If not, no sweat. I'm still curious. Travis: I have a strong opinion on … Continue reading Undecided in ’24 (3 of 3)
A Hillbilly Love Story
In retrospect, I never should have put that snake in Annemarie Kitsap’s mailbox. It wasn’t like it was a rattler or cottonmouth. Nothing that would jump out and fang you. Just a big bull. Ferocious-looking, but harmless. Prized in these parts for their propensity to devour rodents and truly dangerous reptiles. In my defense, … Continue reading A Hillbilly Love Story
