bierkergaard

* From McLaren's Commentary This week my heart has been aching. It hurts now as I write... I have a congenital heart murmur condition and it would probably be prudent for me to have it examined again since I am on the other side of 50. As a teen-athlete getting physicals for school sports the attending doctor would always react to my heart murmur in the stethoscope with the question, "Are you allowed to play sports?" I and my mom would have to assure the physicians that all was cool. When I have a lot on my mind, my heart tends to hurt. One thing weighing on me is teaching a class of 26 ninth graders "Study Skills" with all the joy and suffering therein. 45 days, 80 minutes a day. This along with the day-in/day-out school counselor responsibilities which are usually fairly demanding. I am grateful for the opportunity to help kids with their lives but have decided to not teach just study skills, which would be akin to having both mine and their teeth d

I was reminded by Facebook Memories that it has been a year since being out at the Los Angeles Festival of Books held on the campus of USC. Going to the Fest helped me zero in on writing in what are my niche areas of craft (food, beer, and coffee) in the larger context of culture with some theological and philosophical seasoning. Still haven't received that traffic ticket for making a right turn without first stopping. I got that photo flash... In the 365 days since L.A., I have had four essays published in reputable magazines with national audiences. I am even getting paid or in the case of my Jamaica coffee essay, bartered with the editor to be paid in coffee beans! That was cool! Coffee Lovers Magazine is out of Seattle of course and it has been fun to delve into that cup of coffee culture more deeply. My essay about Jamaica Blue Mountain and it legendary coffee is sooooo loooong that it is going to be published in three or four installments in upcoming issues in additi