Red's Wrap
Happiness. It's relative.
Tag: philosophy
The Joy of Plan B
It’s a bitch to be cornered so I try to avoid it. I admire people who are cornered by illness or poverty who just put their heads down and barrel through it, enduring without complaint and emerging triumphant, maybe dead but triumphant. You’ve seen… Continue Reading “The Joy of Plan B”
The Loveliness of a Man’s Things
A beautifully-dressed man will have just a few things. He’ll have a good watch. Maybe if he is like my husband, he’ll have two watches. One will be the gold watch that belonged to his grandfather who died fifty years ago. He must know… Continue Reading “The Loveliness of a Man’s Things”
Role Model
She asked me if I’d take her to the funeral. She said in a text: “Will u take me? I can’t get a ride.” So I said, yes, I would drive her. This would be another one of the things that I probably wouldn’t… Continue Reading “Role Model”
Manifest Destiny
It was a tattoo. What is past is prologue. It spread out across her shoulder in script with many flourishes. Was it a philosophical statement or a prediction? A happy promise or a sign advertising coming sadness? It all depends, I guess, on whether the… Continue Reading “Manifest Destiny”
Note to My 19-Year Old Self
If this note had been left on my pillow when I was 19, I would have been offended. Advice from any corner, even my future 65 year-old self, would be an insinuation that I wasn’t running my own life well. And even if it was true… Continue Reading “Note to My 19-Year Old Self”
Ditz Bitz
“Who do you think is more self-deprecating? Men or women?” It was the 5th inning of the Milwaukee Brewers home opener, generally the time when my reflections turn to topics off the field. More than halfway through a ball game is right when conversation… Continue Reading “Ditz Bitz”
Suit Yourself
A guy with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth like that would probably accuse an uninformed person of not knowing shit from Shinola. This would be under his breath so you would only actually hear the ‘ola’ part because he was a gentleman,… Continue Reading “Suit Yourself”
You’re Asking the Wrong Question
I’m sorry. Let me say this in the kindest possible way. Asking me what I will do to stay ‘young at heart’ as I get older is ageist. Why would anyone assume that it is better to be young at heart than old at… Continue Reading “You’re Asking the Wrong Question”
Happy is a Razor
The tiny box of razor blades was right where I knew it would be, buried on the second shelf of the linen closet, amidst hotel bottles of shampoo and bubble packs of cold medicine. It was on my walk that it came to me.… Continue Reading “Happy is a Razor”
Pedal Harder
If someone told you that you could ride that bike, that all it would take would be to climb up the silver pole, position yourself on the seat, put your feet on the pedals and your hands on the handlebars and fly that bike… Continue Reading “Pedal Harder”
Snow Door | wisconsinacademy.org
Listen to Jan read her essay “Billy” presented on WUWM’s Lake Effect
Jan’s essay “At the Breakfast Bar” on WUWM Lake Effect
Jan’s essay “The Parish Hall,” on WUWM Lake Effect
“Fury Cannot Touch Me,” Modern Love, NYT, 9/29/11
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