Category Archives: MUSINGS

Happy coincidences: Discovering Yates

Posted on August 19, 2020 by barrypless

I assume that by now most readers of this blog will have concluded that I am passionate about reading. I recently discovered an author I had never heard of.  The discovery came about as the result of several happy coincidences. … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, MUSINGS, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged | 1 Comment

So…

Posted on August 4, 2020 by barrypless

The French have donc and alors; others have “like”; but the rest of the world — especially Americans, it seems — is determined to begin every spoken sentence with ‘’so.” The word is ubiquitous. It drives me mad. We even hear it spoken by … Continue reading →

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Bah bah blog – an update

Posted on July 25, 2020 by barrypless

An update on my blogging past ‘achievements’ and future plans Continue reading →

Posted in MUSINGS, Uncategorized, writing | 5 Comments

Don’t put off saying it

Posted on June 22, 2020 by barrypless

Had he lived, my dad would have been 117 years old today. He died on June 22, 1997 at age 94. I considered writing something about his life, but realized that would be too personal for a blog. Instead, after … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, MUSINGS, Old age, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

In Defense of Trivia (or Love in the Time of Cholera, 2020)

Posted on May 11, 2020 by barrypless

Two days ago I sent off a ‘staying-in-touch’ email to about 60 friends and family.  Initially, I had intended to use it in this blog, but as it was time for my Covid-free fortnightly email I chose to use it … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, MUSINGS, Old age, Toilet reading, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

What a jerk I am!

Posted on December 31, 2019 by barrypless

Maybe the title should read, what a jerk I was? When did I start being a jerk?  In one sense my jerkdom began when our community outdoor pool opened about 5 years ago. But in another, it began when our … Continue reading →

Posted in MUSINGS, Old age, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

An aging academic looks back

Posted on November 22, 2019 by barrypless

When you’ve just ‘celebrated’ your 87th birthday there’s not much joy to be had from looking forward to whatever academic activities may lie ahead. But, there are some lessons – and perhaps a few pleasures – when you take the … Continue reading →

Posted in Academia, MUSINGS, Old age | 1 Comment

Words: good, bad, and ugly

Posted on March 25, 2019 by barrypless

Picky, I know. There are some words and phrases to which I’m allergic. I don’t sneeze when I come across them, but I do shudder. The first is ‘vast majority’ because I rarely see the latter word without the former … Continue reading →

Posted in MUSINGS, Uncategorized, writing | 1 Comment

Marmalade adventures: If at first you fail, use pectin

Posted on March 1, 2019 by barrypless

Each year when the seville oranges arrive, usually in January, our family tradition is to make orange marmalade. Until this year I thought I was getting the hang of it. This time I made a small change in the recipe. … Continue reading →

Posted in Food and Cooking, MUSINGS, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

You are never too old

Posted on February 7, 2019 by barrypless

As I approach my 87th birthday and occasionally protest that I am too old to do one thing or another, some people argue that this is never true. Generally, I disagree because as I was once a physician, I know … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Music, MUSINGS, Old age, Uncategorized | 1 Comment