When Trauma Isn’t Traumatic

by | Mar 26, 2025 | The Coffee Chronicles

The world is on fire. I see that being posted often. I remember another time the world was on fire. A friend and I sat in a burning room sipping coffee. The embers floated past us and flaming beams were crashing all around. We discussed it. During Covid, I saw what...

Redefining Suicide Ideation

by | Mar 11, 2025 | The Coffee Chronicles

I recently read a post from a therapist that said she passes on clients with suicide ideation. It led me to do some research. From my point of view, “passing” on a patient with suicide ideation has issues. The research I did, albeit brief, led to my belief...

Maybe We’re Not Okay?

by | Mar 10, 2025 | The Coffee Chronicles

He was having a heart attack but knew he couldn’t be. Close to the end of his gym session, “Bob” started to feel unwell. A five-time Ironman competitor, he figured he just overdid it so skipped his last leg session after the inverted sit-ups and...
The Power of Storytelling

The Power of Storytelling

by | Mar 8, 2025 | The Coffee Chronicles

Good storytelling is an interactive event. It’s me inviting you to sit down next to me, join me for a cup of coffee, and, as they say in Hawai’i, “talk story.” I’ll get naked. Metaphorically. Nothing is off the table, hidden, clothed in...
Rage

Rage

by | Jan 16, 2025 | The Coffee Chronicles

For Maureen Kalix Smith Rage, rage against the dying of the light. In the hospital room at the end, I grasp at the hope that your rage inspired in others. 14 years ago, in the noon of your life, the light threatened to be eclipsed with the diagnosis of Stage IV...
A Walk in My Shoes

A Walk in My Shoes

by | May 19, 2023 | The Coffee Chronicles

It’s official! For Mental Health Awareness Month, I renamed, expanded, and republished my book. It is now available on Amazon and through my websites. It is the collected transcripts of the podcast to date, with a Foreword, Introduction and some editing. A...
The Nice Guy

The Nice Guy

by | Apr 2, 2023 | The Coffee Chronicles

Introduction: Yes, I’ve been gone for a long time. I’ve been busy starting a new business so some things had to go on the back burner, like The Coffee Chronicles. It actually feels good to be writing a column again. I’ll be trying to do more of it...
Lessons Learned from a Bar Fight

Lessons Learned from a Bar Fight

by | Jan 5, 2023 | The Coffee Chronicles

From posts I am seeing, I imagine that many people were disappointed by other people in 2022. I am reading a knee jerk reaction, about how if we don’t have expectations, we will never be disappointed. Umm, no. It is all about a bar fight in SW Philly. A very long time...
Perspective: Use It or Lose It

Perspective: Use It or Lose It

by | Dec 29, 2022 | The Coffee Chronicles

2022 was one of the toughest years of my life. It got downright ugly. I’ll make the jokes and share the memes on Facebook because they are funny, but I’ll also look back on 2022 fondly. It was the year I was fired—twice. Completely ran out money—a few...
Chance Encounters

Chance Encounters

by | Dec 26, 2022 | The Coffee Chronicles

Or this might be a part of Let’s Get Naked About Mental Health! Anyway… I firmly decided not to have a Christmas. It was not a choice to be miserable, but just make it another day. There’s a podcast about it. In the podcast, I talk about my aversion to Christmas and...
I’m Still Here!

I’m Still Here!

by | Dec 24, 2022 | The Coffee Chronicles

Hello from Tijuana! Where I am literally still here. Trapped. Stranded. But really enjoying the beautiful weather. You really don’t want to know what the weather is like here. I was supposed in be in Minnesota by now, in my home, but, well, it’s a long...
Catching Up

Catching Up

by | Nov 6, 2022 | The Coffee Chronicles

No, I haven’t stopped. I have just been concentrating on other areas. So, I thought I would catch you up in case you don’t do the social media thing. First, a recent post I made on Facebook. A friend just posted this about the Phillies but I’m saving it...
Let Them Eat Cake?

Let Them Eat Cake?

by | Sep 29, 2022 | Friends of GInA, The Coffee Chronicles

Special introduction: I couldn’t sleep tonight but know exactly why. What’s the saying? “Things happen for a reason. Sometimes, the reason is because you are stupid.” I knew I shouldn’t have had that late night cup of coffee! But I did, can’t sleep, so finished up the...
Dog Stories: A Memoir

Dog Stories: A Memoir

by | Sep 24, 2022 | Ankle, The Coffee Chronicles

Tales of the Great Water Bringer Without exception, the homeless people I met in Austin were the kindest anywhere I traveled in the US during my odyssey through Covid America. I encountered a lot of desperation, especially among the homeless people as I traveled. They...