I've got something to say...

When a part of your personality for the last few decades has included the title of “columnist,” you know you have a few things to say from time to time…and are motivated to say them especially when you have a looming deadline.

A few months ago, my gig as a newspaper columnist was drawn to a close because: a) I didn’t want to sign all rights away to my work about MY life, and b) the newspaper was paying only a portion of what they paid me a couple decades ago. I was basically writing for fun…and let’s be honest, for the fun look of recognition people had when running into me in the grocery store from time to time.

SO…I was looking for a brand new venue. A shiny new place to park my words. I knew that I may be losing a precious audience of people who only read my column in the physical newspaper itself, but I also thought maybe their kids or grandkids might help them find their way to my new “home.”

And BOOM! I discovered Substack! I’m feeling like a kindergartener navigating my way on the first day of school as I try to find just the right way to publish here. I see other writers including pictures and audio and highlighted text and links and…oh my gosh, is my age showing? I always thought of myself as pretty tech-savvy, but tonight I’m feeling a little bedraggled and in need of one of my sons sitting next to me working his magic and telling me I can do this.

What can you expect to read here in my new Substack column? That’s a good question, Reader, and one I hope you’ll stick around to discover. I have never chosen what to write about; my topics always choose ME. I’m a firm believer in never telling people what I’m going to be writing about, lest my muse hears it coming out of my mouth and scoffs at my feeble attempt to be in control.

My plan (should my muse choose to accept this mission) is to tell stories…stories about life, about love, about friendship, foibles, frustrations, successes, survival, trials, temptations, and throughout everything, that sense of being similar amidst our differences. Odds are good that if I find something fascinating, funny, or frivolous, there’s someone else out there who just might agree.

Oh…and I really hope to make you laugh. Or cry. Or just shake your head and think, “Yup. Yeah. Right on.” (I’m really not a hippie, but that last little blip begged to be included.)

Let’s have a good time. I’ll share my life…and stories about others’ lives as well. You wouldn’t believe how many stories I come across on a daily basis. I’d love to tell them.

So…WELCOME! I’ve got something to say and I’m going to say it! Thanks for reading.