I have cancer. I own it, so there. Now, bug off! See what just happened? For cancer survivors, like me, “cranky” might be a gross understatement. You, as a caregiver, may want to be part of my cancer journey, but don’t want to step on any landmines along the way. Who can blame you? But … Continue reading
Old lives matter if we cherish and protect them. But do we really cherish and protect them when there is a shortage of personal protective equipment and tests at nursing homes? Many have already died, but must even more die? Do old lives truly matter if our community doesn’t have a mask mandate or enforce … Continue reading
Putin’s unspeakable cruelty shows no bounds, but got unspeakably worse with the bombing of civilian targets in Ukraine this week. His justification for the airstrikes that are taking innocent lives was based on a wickedly false premise: That Ukraine had attacked sovereign Russian territory in Crimea. Crimea is part of Ukraine, but in the twisted, … Continue reading
My arm is sore and I’m a little tired, but otherwise unaffected by my updated COVID-19 booster shot gratefully received in early October. I’m not ready to rip my mask off just yet, but feel more assured that if the coronavirus does strike me that I will have more than a fighting chance to stay … Continue reading
Got my Pfizer booster shot There were no marching bands No one shaking my hand Or patting me on the back. Nor should there be I did it for me and my immunity I did it for us, for the community We’re all in this life-and-death fight And each of us must make it right … Continue reading
By Ron Cooper In 1999, I wrote a poem, “See This Child,” about the heartrending news of Columbine. In 2019, I was still writing poems on school shootings with “Gone Are These,” about the young lives tragically cut short at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, California. See This Child See this child His … Continue reading
The contentious presidential election. The rushed Supreme Court nomination hearings. A severely damaged economy with millions out of work and facing eviction. These are all good reasons why we don’t pause for just a moment to memorialize those who have been taken from us too soon in our fight against the pandemic. Life is exhausting … Continue reading
Once I called cancer “chocolate,” but he laughed in my face. Later, I got sweet revenge. Here’s my story: I was diagnosed with Stage III prostate cancer in December 2014. I didn’t feel much differently and my health was consistently good. My PSA numbers were excellent. I felt a little cocky and double-dared cancer to … Continue reading
How do you write more clearly? One great way is to study others’ writing—especially those who goof up. Want to laugh it up and learn? Keep reading! Ever had an auto accident? You file a claim to pay for repair costs, sending it to an insurance adjustor. These guys have seen it all. One claim … Continue reading
Nutty as it sounds, the sheriff in Ocala, Florida, has banned facemasks for his deputies in some on-duty circumstances. This comes at a time when his county had by the end of August 2020 recorded more than 8,400 confirmed cases and 170-plus deaths due to the coronavirus. Moreover, approximately 40 of the sheriff’s employees, including … Continue reading
I’ve been on lockdown for over five months, so I’m entitled to a little paranoia. In fact, paranoia has become the norm. Stay home, public health officials say. Your age and underlying health conditions put you at high risk of contracting the deadly virus. If you do go out, they say, avoid closed-in spaces with … Continue reading
Ron Cooper 