Category Archives: Uncategorized

Sunrise on Sunset: God speaks when words fail

In my little neighborhood of the little big city of Grand Rapids is a little street named Sunset. It really should be called Sunrise, because that’s what the sun does when you walk over to Sunset early in the morning, … Continue reading

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sacred shroud of snow, 2.27.13

Something of the medieval monk Lies among these deep devout drifts Snugged around the awakening city Wholly dedicated to sacred silence Illuminating his manuscript hour upon hour Removed from the uproar of the world Tongue tucked thoughtfully in his mouth … Continue reading

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the joy of the Beatles, then and now

“They stamp about and shake and, oh dearie me, they just send the joy out to you.” So did one ecstatic British girl describe the Beatles in a Nov. 18, 1963 Newsweek from latimes.com article titled “Beatlemania.” Her sentiment holds … Continue reading

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surviving “Smoke on the Water”: the fine art of cover songs

Today’s post comes via localspins.com, the excellent all-music-all-the-time blog by my friend and bandmate John Sinkevics. May we rock forever! For the self-respecting band trying to turn heads and grow fans with originals, the cover song can either fly like … Continue reading

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life without father

It’s been a year that he has not been in the world. Hard to grasp that Dad passed that long ago. His absence from my life still aches. He was so present in it for so long. It’s been a … Continue reading

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they call it the God-sized hole

They call it the God-sized hole. That ever-gnawing hunger inside Always waiting to be fed With meaning, purpose, assurance Faith Soul food. I have heard many people talk about it. I believe in this idea, because I can feel it … Continue reading

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the sacred space of memory

In his tenderly reverent ballad “Remembrance Day,” Mark Knopfler honors the fallen soldiers of World War I by calling to mind the players on a village cricket team: Standing at the crease, the batsman takes a look around/ The boys … Continue reading

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Of Kaline, baseball cards and missing mojo

Oct. 28, 2012, pre-game: Tonight, for Game Four, I am holding the Kaline Ball. Saturday night I held the Ernie Harwell/Alan Trammell ball for Game Three. Didn’t work. Despite keeping it right in front of me the whole way, and … Continue reading

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branded and rebranded: my time has come

It’s time I rebranded myself. I’ve been the same brand for 35 years, and it’s not a very interesting one: Plain White Reporter Guy. There’s nothing wrong with that brand, but it doesn’t sell me at all. Many thousands of … Continue reading

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for you Mom, one year later

You loved children and kittens You tucked me in and calmed my fears You taught me how to cook tomato noodle soup You packed my lunch every day You gave me your butterscotch pudding when I spilled mine and bawled … Continue reading

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