Category Archives: Mental Health
Interviewing Van Gogh
I step to the side of his gravestone, enlivened by ivy and red flowers, and say, “Vincent, may I please speak to you a moment?” “You may not,” says Theo, the man in the adjacent plot. “And why not?” “My brother’s tired of more than a century of adulation and wealth he’ll never experience. And […]
Also posted in Painters, Paul Gauguin, Suicide, Vincent Van Gogh
Thousand Oaks Nightmare
former marine throws smoke grenades into thousand oaks nightclub and opens fire again compelling responsible citizens to ask why is anyone allowed to own extra-capacity magazines and other weapons of mass destruction
Also posted in Donald Trump, Guns, Murder, NRA
King of Comedy
After the show at a New York comedy club, I order another orange juice, scan a few dozen tables in a room where the lights just came on, and notice two old men in the furthest corner. One’s about ninety and the other in his seventies. My eyes must be haywire. Is that really them? […]
Also posted in Comedians, Jerry Lewis, Kidnapping, Martin Scorsese, Movies, Robert De Niro, The King of Comedy
Garage Sale
This is going to be the greatest garage sale ever. I’ve advertised in the newspaper and posted pictures on social media and taped flyers throughout the neighborhood and told some neighbors and friends to come over this beautiful Saturday spring morning starting at seven. I open the garage door a half hour early and several […]
Also posted in Divorce, Furniture, Garage Sales, Housing, Jewelry, Jose Abeto Zaide, Marriage, Romance, Tales of Romance
Guns and War
On the recent Saturday when a few million citizens, many quite young, gathered to protest gun violence in scores of cities and towns from Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles, I boosted several of my Facebook links to stories I’d written about guns and war. These promotions attracted many new readers who, by demographic selection, I’d […]
Also posted in Donald Trump, Guns, John Bolton, Kim Jong-Un, Korea, Murder, NRA, Nuclear Weapons
Gun Safety in the Classroom
I love living and going to high school in a beautiful California town by the sea where my favorite teacher is Mr. Smith. He’s also got eleven years of experience as a reserve police officer and really knows a lot about guns. This morning, in his administration of justice class, he’s showing us how to […]
Also posted in Donald Trump, Guns, Murder
Presidential Fire
yeah that’s right i told some republican politicians they were scared of the nra but i’m not i just had a couple of meetings and decided it’s better we keep letting kids eighteen buy assault weapons
Also posted in Donald Trump, Guns, Murder, NRA
Wayne LaPierre Visits Trump
America’s protector in chief, Wayne LaPierre, enters the White House and, as a secret service agent approaches, waves go away. “It’s okay, I’m only packing a pistol.” “Excuse me, sir, but no one’s permitted to bear a firearm when entering the Oval Office.” “Listen, son, I’m head of the NRA that donated more than thirty […]
Also posted in Donald Trump, Guns, Murder, NRA, Wayne LaPierre
Marco Rubio Embraces NRA
I care about my constituents. They’re hurting and angry after tragic losses at a high school in Parkland, Florida and unhappy the NRA gave me a hundred percent approval rating and three million dollars for my Senate reelection campaign. I’m proud the NRA appreciates my defense of all guns and my commitment to God. That […]
Also posted in Guns, Marco Rubio, Murder, NRA, Religion
Fortifying Schools
I’m dynamic General Jones on my way to becoming Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Before I get there, right away, in fact, I’m going to unveil my blueprint for fortifying our schools, arming our educators, and protecting our children from the insanity and violence of those who misuse some of the most wonderful […]
Also posted in Donald Trump, Guns, Murder, NRA
Trump Victimized
trump tweets fbi so busy framing me for colluding with russia it failed to follow up signals from florida school shooter
Also posted in Donald Trump, Guns, Murder
NRA Praises AR-15 Rifle
As I write this on Sunday afternoon, four days after deranged Nikolas Cruz used an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle to massacre seventeen former high school classmates in Parkland, Florida, I again check the National Rifle Association website – NRA.org – and still predictably find nothing about another national tragedy. Instead, the NRA has reposted an article […]
Also posted in Donald Trump, Guns, Murder, NRA
Open Season
republicans quickly aim and fire gun control wouldn’t have prevented slaughter at florida school
Help Us, NRA
nra still hasn’t updated its website wonder why
We Love Guns
another massacre proves every school must have metal detectors armed security guards armed teachers armed students anyone caught without gun will be shot
She Lives with Vincent van Gogh
This story is part of the collection “Paint it Blue”, which contains pieces about Van Gogh, Picasso, Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, Winslow Homer, Diane Arbus, and dozens of other great artists.
Also posted in George W. Bush, Paint it Blue, Painters, Vincent Van Gogh
Therapy – A Short Story about a Basketball Player
The basketball bounced long into Jimmy Barton’s strong hands, and he dribbled straight at the player who’d shot and was now backpedaling, and as he passed half-court Jimmy planted his right foot and drove left but instantly cross-dribbled, twisting the defender onto the floor, and glided in for a lay-up. Haggin, the center, ran up […]
Also posted in Basketball and Football, Depression, George Thomas Clark, The Bold Investor, Therapy
Hemingway v. Fitzgerald
As a young screenwriter who helped but a little on the script of a recent movie featuring Frederic March, I’m stunned the star invites me to his lavish Beverly Hills home to watch a screening of the documentary The Spanish Earth written and narrated by Ernest Hemingway, who Frederic says will be there along with […]
Also posted in Alcohol, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Frederic March, Movies, Spain, Writers
Heath Ledger to Tiger Woods
Dear Tiger, I’m not going to preach, from a faraway place, but I’m damn well going to tell you about prescription drug abuse. You may know I’ve been gone more than nine years now, and like you mixed drugs that taken together dramatically increase their effects and stop many young, strong hearts. Choose any statistics […]
Also posted in Drugs, Elvis Presley, Golf, Heath Ledger, Movies, Tiger Woods
Vivien Leigh in the Hotel
I work at a great Manhattan hotel whose name I better not mention. I’m just a bellhop but only twenty-two and know I’m going to have a great job someday. Today, I’m rolling a cart with the luggage of a special guest: she’s Vivien Leigh, Scarlett O’Hara in the flesh, and almost as beautiful now […]
Also posted in Laurence Olivier, Movies, Vivien Leigh
Marvin Gaye to his Father
Dear Father, Why do you beat me so? I’m your son and love listening to your inspired sermons and beautiful singing and know someday you’ll be more than a lay preacher. Most of all I enjoy being with you and hoping someday you’ll be proud of me. I know you will. You’ll hug me, and […]
Also posted in Berry Gordy, Cocaine, Detroit, Divorce, Los Angeles, Marvin Gaye, Motown, Murder, Music
Simone Biles Opens Up
In an open-hearted but devious effort we have employed the regular media, mind readers, the National Security Agency, pharmacologists, and other intrusive individuals and entities to engage Simone Biles and determine what she’s really thinking. That’s none of our business, you might say. And to that I respond: why, then, are you reading this? I’ll […]
Also posted in Anoxeria Nervosa, Gymnastics, Oprah Winfrey, Simone Biles
Van Gogh In the Road
On an exotic summer Sunday I step into the Santa Barbara Museum of Art and head not toward a vision but a sound. “It’s the light or, rather, the lack of light in The Outskirts of Paris that makes this dirt road and the man in it faceless and gray and in need of southern […]
Also posted in Painters, Paris, Poverty, Vincent Van Gogh
Van Gogh on the Verge
Handing over my ticket, I’m excited to enter the Van Gogh Museum for another emotional exhibition. I’ve been to many and read about all the others. On the Verge of Insanity is a great title. By that I mean it’s appropriate. Look at Self-Portrait with a Bandaged Ear and Pipe: Vincent looms under a heavy […]
Also posted in Painters, Suicide, Vincent Van Gogh
Homeless on the River
This story is in “In Other Hands,” a collection of riveting stories about human trafficking, prostitution, poverty, and homelessness.
Also posted in Alcohol, Bakersfield, Drugs, Economics, Health, Homeless, Kern River, Methamphetamine, Nicotine, Poverty
Objective, Atherton
Don’t misunderstand, I love the plains of Atherton but even more the hills where I can gaze over the Silicon Valley and dream I’ll someday be part of this. I know I’m not now. I live in a Section 8 studio in Modesto and can only drive to the Bay Area once a month for […]
Also posted in Atherton, Baseball, Bay Area, Computers, Football, Joe Montana, Larry Ellison, Poverty, Ty Cobb, Willie Mays
Slab Man
My husband left me last night not for another woman but because he just found out I loved his best friend but that shouldn’t have mattered much since that guy’d dumped me a couple of weeks earlier. I sure was feeling bad this afternoon and told my boss I had a fever and needed to […]
Also posted in Infidelity, Marriage, Painters, Sculptors, Stanford University
Deli Delight
I was hungry and the manager of the gallery showing wild faces said the deli across the street’s world famous go on over and get something. Okay I said and pressed the steel arrow to red-light busy Melrose Ave. and allow me to cross. Inside the deli large glass cases featured food I began studying […]
Also posted in Food, Hollywood, Lawyers, Los Angeles, Painters
Parking Lot Painter
No one buys my oil paintings on canvas. No one buys my acrylics. No one buys my watercolors. No one hires me to paint murals. They’re all fools. I have great work crying to be seen, and I prove it every weekend at street painting festivals all over. We don’t actually paint. We draw, usually […]
Also posted in Art, Domestic Violence, Painters
Lamar Odom to the Hoop
This story appears in the collection “In Other Hands”
Also posted in Alcohol, Basketball, Cocaine, Depression, Lamar Odom, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Marijuana, Nicotine, Prostitution
Eruption of Enrique Guzman
You consider that a national-prize painting, ten feet of completely black resin and charcoal offering no message or creativity. I don’t care we’re in the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City and some might say I’m jealous I didn’t win. Nonsense. It’s necessary to be outraged and impossible to tolerate such a mockery of […]
Also posted in Aguascalientes, Beatriz Zamora, Depression, Enrique Guzman, Mexico, Mexico City, Painters, Palacio de Bellas Artes, Suicide
Vincent’s Self-Portraits
This story is part of the collection “Paint it Blue” Self-Portrait in Front of the Easel Self-Portrait from Arles Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear Self-Portrait (The Final One)
Also posted in Painters, Uncategorized, Vincent Van Gogh
The Starry Night
This story is part of the collection “Paint it Blue” The Starry Night
Also posted in Painters, The Starry Night, Vincent Van Gogh
Sunflowers
This story is part of the collection “Paint it Blue” Vase with Fourteen Sunflowers
Also posted in Painters, Sunflowers, Vincent Van Gogh
The Potato Eaters
This story is part of the collection “Paint it Blue” The Potato Eaters
Also posted in Painters, Poverty, The Potato Eaters, Vincent Van Gogh
Vincent Sells
This story is part of the collection “Paint it Blue” Self Portrait, September 1889
Also posted in Painters, Vincent Van Gogh
She Lives with Vincent
This story is part of the collection “Paint it Blue” Gallery Sorrow Sien, Sewing, Half-Figure
Also posted in Painters, Suicide, Vincent Van Gogh
Van Gogh v. Gauguin
This story is part of the collection “Paint it Blue”
Also posted in Art, Painters, Paul Gauguin, Suicide, Vincent Van Gogh
Curing Dan Gilbert
This story is in the collection “Basketball and Football”
Also posted in Basketball, Chris Bosh, Cleveland, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Drugs, Dwyane Wade, Elvis Presley, Lebron James, Manu Ginobelli, Michael Jackson, Tim Duncan
Lupe Velez v. Dolores del Rio
I’m a lover and hate people who say in Mexico City my mother rented my teenage body. That’s a lie. I was always a good singer and comedienne and first appeared in Hollywood films before turning twenty. I’ve loved many leading men and others and still do and for a few years adored Gary Cooper […]
Also posted in Boxing, Depression, Dolores del Rio, Gary Cooper, Johnny Weismuller, Lupe Velez, Movies, Orson Welles, Suicide
End of Suffering
Frankly, I don’t often feel well and really should say I never do. I don’t know what the problem is but try to feel better by smoking bath salts, not the stuff you use in the tub but a combination of chemicals that’re way stronger than amphetamines. This morning the bath salts hit me much […]
Also posted in Bakersfield, Drugs, Families, Murder
Flight of Insanity
During my recent trip to Spain film director Pedro Almodóvar calls and invites me to join him on a short flight from Madrid to Marbella. Since I’ve never flown first class or met movie celebrities, I accept, figuring I’ll learn much about filmmaking. What a horrific misconception. First, I can’t find Pedro, and the flight […]
Also posted in Homosexuals, Movies, Pedro Almodovar, Planes
Our Son
He’s good son until bipolar disorder attacks in high school and makes crazy, and Dad and I are relieved he marries bipolar woman and moves away so we rarely see. Years later he calls and says she divorced him, and I overrule Dad and say, we’ve got to make room. In few days he’s scarier […]
Slots
Sarah didn’t enjoy husband, family, or friends and had no interests save gambling and was happy to live near casino she rushed to three, four, five times weekly and pushed credit card into slots she played hours, stopping only to curse rigged system. She said this was best part of life so didn’t mind burning […]
Also posted in Economics, Friendship, Gambling, Marriage
When Termperament Wins
This story is from the collection “Death in the Ring”
Also posted in Alcohol, Boxing, Drugs, Edwin Rosario, Loreto Garza, Vinny Pazienza
Upstaging Maestro
sinuous hair strikes bernstein seizing baton
Also posted in Leonard Bernstein, Ludwig van Beethoven, Music, PBS, Short Pieces - GTC
Brahms Meets Tchaikovsky
Brahms and Tchaikovsky once met. Don’t like your work, said former. Don’t like yours either, he replied.
Also posted in Johannes Brahms, Music, Peter Tchaikovsky, Poetry - GTC, Short Pieces - GTC
Man in Beret
This story is now in the collection “Tales of Romance”
Also posted in Marriage, Short Pieces - GTC, Suicide
Wild Peanuts
Joe avoided peanut butter, banning from house and no thanking those who offered. Three years later he decided could handle by setting limits, one thin sandwich. Joe again delighted in peanut butter and reveled in moderation until eating second sandwich washed down with milk. Then he ate third fourth fifth. Next day he began using […]
Also posted in Food, Health, Short Pieces - GTC
Lawn Jobs II
This story is now in the collection “Tales of Romance”
Also posted in Cars & Driving, Dating, Romance, Short Pieces - GTC
Chimney Sweep
This story is now in the collection “Tales of Romance”
Also posted in Alcohol, Doctors, Romance, Short Pieces - GTC
Sunday School
Lady teaching Sunday school passes out coloring books and crayons and says draw pretty pictures. All kids comply but one scratches black lines over faces and bodies, forcing concerned lady to gently remove and wad.
Also posted in Children, Religion, Short Pieces - GTC
When Is a Boxer Too Old?
This story is from the collection “Death in the Ring”
The Right Room
First time in Puerto Vallarta I was hungover standing at basin, looking into fright, when woman popped from stall behind and said sir are you aware this is women’s bathroom. Years later long sober I stood in Bakersfield theater as two women entered and one said what’s guy doing here. Leaving quickly I forgot to […]
Also posted in Alcohol, Bakersfield, Mexico, Puerto Vallarta, Short Pieces - GTC
Gun Lover
Firepower’s important and guaranteed by Second Amendment because Founding Fathers wanted us free and would be proud how well we protect personal liberty. So don’t blame gun lovers for slaughter of twenty children at school in Newtown. That wasn’t our fault. We’re law-abiding parents who want kids safe. Trust me, laws restricting guns are already […]
Also posted in Guns, Murder, NRA, Short Pieces - GTC
We Still Love Our Guns
Just off work early this gray Friday afternoon I sought escape and relaxation in sports talk radio but the hosts weren’t talking about sports. They were lamenting lost lives of children and the senselessness of random violence. Something pretty bad must’ve happened but I sensed these somber gentlemen weren’t going to reveal what so I […]
Also posted in Guns, Murder, NRA, Publications
Freudian Advice
Sigmund Freud occasionally injected small amounts of cocaine under skin and effused it magically cured depression and induced euphoria while giving strength and endurance of ox. Believing delights caused “absolutely no craving” he wanted to share with fiancée he warned would soon kiss quite “red” to prove “big man with cocaine in body” is stronger […]
Also posted in Cocaine, Drugs, PBS, Short Pieces - GTC, Sigmund Freud
Wired
On cold night drunk in another bar he met chunky woman who opened purse and showed white powder they snorted in car. At apartment she called neighbor who walked over, sold more, asked for hit, and took three, firing thousand words before leaving. They burned noses and strained hearts two hours before moving upstairs and […]
Also posted in Alcohol, Drugs, Methamphetamine, Sex, Short Pieces - GTC
Deadbolt Rules
During helluva hot day fishing in thin mountain air, sun scorched Harold and he drank too many beers but didn’t worry he caught no fish. He was thinking about rat hole he’d return to behind house in area few lived voluntarily. Harold shoved key into rusty deadbolt lock which seized key he jerked and twisted […]
Also posted in Alcohol, Housing, Neighborhoods, Short Pieces - GTC
When Mind Closed In
I lived in a box attached in back of the landlord’s house and often talked to her visiting son, Jim, a disciplined college student who usually brought his cute girlfriend. Afterward, his mother would proudly say they were going to get married when Jim graduates which he did after a fifth year, much faster than […]
Also posted in Families, Schizophrenia, Short Pieces - GTC
“La india” of Abraham Angel
This story is part of the collection “Paint it Blue” To see “La india,” 1923, by Abraham Angel, please click here.
Also posted in Abraham Angel, Art, Cocaine, Drugs, Homosexuals, Painters, Poetry - GTC, Suicide
Gun Enthusiast Explains Lessons of Aurora
This story is from the collection “Obama on Edge”
Elementary Fly
In fifth grade there was boy with bad reputation. On hot spring afternoon fly landed on lip, and instantly he bit and killed fly, which tumbled onto chin. Asinine fool, shouted teacher, get into bathroom and clean yourself up. Neither teacher nor students complimented boy for having fast reflexes. How many could’ve bitten fly?
Also posted in Education, Insects, Short Pieces - GTC
Nightmare Apartment
This excerpt is now in the collection “Tales of Romance”
Also posted in Divorce, Housing, Marriage, Neighborhoods, Short Pieces - GTC
The Human Brain
This story is in the collection “Basketball and Football”
Also posted in Brain, Depression, Football, John Mackey, Junior Seau, San Diego, Suicide
Surgical Surprise
This story is now in the collection “The Bold Investor”
Also posted in Health, Los Angeles, Michael Jackson, Plastic Surgery, Short Pieces - GTC
Big Sneeze
After hosting amorous boyfriend Sunday night and pounding treadmill half hour early Monday morning, popular high school math teacher Martha H drove to school, parked car, and walked toward class, confident she’d have another great week. She sneezed after shutting car door, and nose and sinuses had tickly, cleaned out feeling that became more pleasurable […]
Munch Scores
This story is from the collection “Paint it Blue” To see The Scream, please click this link
Also posted in Art, Depression, Edvard Munch, Painters, Short Pieces - GTC
Garden Party for William H. Johnson
(A major feature about painter William H. Johnson, 1901-1970, will be posted later this spring.) I wish William H. Johnson, gifted painter of a unique world, were at this party honoring young African American artists, staged by the foundation bearing his name, at an elegant old two-story home near the Wilshire district in Los Angeles. […]
Also posted in Art, Food, Housing, Los Angeles, Painters, William H. Johnson
Retirement Express
Harold was usually nervous at work and home, worrying he couldn’t survive ten more years arrogant supervisors, indifferent coworkers, and rude customers, so started naps after work and earlier bedtimes and weekends in bed sleeping away years thankful to miss.
Also posted in Aging, Employment, Short Pieces - GTC, Sleep
Norwegian Fascist Salute
norwegian anti muslim anders breivik sieg heils in court to commemorate blowing up eight and shooting several dozen kids next time anders breivik sieg heils court orders fascist arm amputated and used as club
Also posted in Conservatives, Crime, Murder, Nazis, Norway, Poetry - GTC, Religion
Newspaper Alert
Harold was usually nervous at work and home, worrying he couldn’t survive ten more years arrogant supervisors, indifferent coworkers, and rude customers, so started naps after work and earlier bedtimes and weekends in bed sleeping away years thankful to miss.
Also posted in Loneliness, Neighborhoods, Short Pieces - GTC
Iron Women
iron curtain lifted and shoved into bones of women looking west
Also posted in Communism, Economics, Europe, Immigration, Marriage, Poetry - GTC
Thomas Kinkade in Heaven
This story is part of the collection “Paint it Blue”
Also posted in Alcohol, Art, Pablo Picasso, Painters, Religion, Thomas Kinkade
Entreating “The Two Fridas”
This story is part of the collection “Paint it Blue” To see “The Two Fridas,” please click here
Also posted in Art, Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, Health, LACMA, Marriage, Mexico, Mexico City, Painters, Surrealism
Man in Beret
This story is now in the collection “Tales of Romance”
Also posted in Marriage, Poetry - GTC, Suicide
Vigilant Couple
This story is now in the collection “Tales of Romance”
Also posted in American River, Housing, Marriage, Murder, Neighborhoods, Sacramento, Short Pieces - GTC, Vigilantes
Woman Rips Irises
This story is part of the collection “Paint it Blue” To view “Irises” by Vincent van Gogh, please click here To view “Young Italian Woman at a Table” by Paul Cezanne, please click here
Also posted in Art, Getty Center, Getty Museum, Painters, Paul Cezanne, Vincent Van Gogh
Protecting Women Surrealist Painters
This story is from the collection “Paint it Blue” To see “Birthday” by Dorothea Tanning, please click here To see “Self Portrait 1937-38” by Leonora Carrington, please click here
Also posted in Art, Birds, Dorothea Tanning, Families, Hollywood, LACMA, Marriage, Painters, Surrealism, World War II
Hot Car Big Date
This story is now in the collection “Tales of Romance”
Also posted in Cars & Driving, Dating, Short Pieces - GTC
Female Beverage
she kept drinking and the phone stopped ringing
Also posted in Alcohol, Poetry - GTC
Pruning
Alice liked to save money. She scoured newspapers and tabloids to find coupons. She drove across town to pay few cents less per gallon of gas. She never dined in restaurants or went to movies. She hadn’t taken vacation since husband died twenty years ago. She mowed lawn until arthritis forced to have dug out […]
Also posted in Expenses, Housing, Short Pieces - GTC, Trees
Work and Retirement
Bill liked job until Thursdays when mind and body tired. Then he craved weekends but got bored by Sunday afternoons. He fantasized about learning to enjoy free time, and made lists of activities, but had been profligate in youth and could not retire.
Also posted in Employment, Short Pieces - GTC
Home Escape
This story is now in the collection “Tales of Romance”
Also posted in Employment, Families, Housing, Marriage, Short Pieces - GTC
Animals in Office
swine snorts at talent wish i’d wonder if too late reptile darts and hisses insinuating problems exist wish i’d wonder if too late hyena snarls at herself through others wish i’d wonder if too late
Also posted in Animals, Employment, Pigs, Poetry - GTC, Reptiles, Snakes
Oral Alarm Clock
deep voice grinds my name too early every morning
Also posted in Families, Poetry - GTC
Just One More
said have drink come on let’s party least one more now no one listens so exhorts himself
Also posted in Alcohol, Poetry - GTC
Hot Rock
hot rock lungs tattoo brain To read other poems and features about cocaine, please click here
Also posted in Cocaine, Drugs, Pigs - Oscar
Whitney Houston, 1963-2012
remember one beautiful as whitney houston who made star spangled banner soar and moved heaven singing i’ll always love you may harbor soul broken as man in gutter and seek relief same way To watch Whitney Houston sing the National Anthem before the 1991 Super Bowl, please click here
Also posted in Alcohol, Bobby Brown, Cocaine, Drugs, Music, Whitney Houston
The Right Room
first time on puerto vallarto tour quite hungover stand at basin looking into fright woman pops up behind and says sir are you aware this is women’s years later long sober at bakersfield movie women enter one says what’s guy doing in here leaving rapidly forget to say heat intoxication
Also posted in Alcohol, Bakersfield, Mexico, Poetry - GTC, Puerto Vallarta
