Author Archives: cyrein

The main character is a woman. She’s fictional, so the constraints on real women are not required. Is she a superwoman? Yes and no. Just being a real woman, overcoming all of the restrictions upon us every day, requires us to be super people. Nevertheless, what super-person power will my fictional woman have? Aha! SheContinue reading “A Failed Attempt at Fiction”

Once upon a time, I was on a jury, maybe twenty to thirty years ago. My memory of it continues to be strong, at least of the important facts, though not many specific details. The trial was of a man accused of drunk driving or DUI. The trial lasted a single day, evidence, deliberations, verdict,Continue reading “When I Was on a Jury”

What regrets do I have about my choices that may have changed the direction of my life? Well, I have no regrets about my own choices. It would have been nice to be able to sing on key, but it certainly has never been my conscious choice to sing in a way that others askContinue reading “Regrets?”

I knew Monday was going to be a busy day, but I could never have predicted the actual events. It has been unexpected, but delightful. What I knew was that I had made a commitment to be present at the beginning of the trial of five of my coconspirators, the five who were arrested duringContinue reading “The Judge Called in Sick”

I’m old, 75, and the telephones I’ve used have changed a lot, perhaps as much, maybe more than shoe styles. The first telephone I ever used was at my grandmother’s house, where my family lived until 1952. Her phone was black, as that was the only option, and the number was 2438. Of course, thereContinue reading “Telephones — My Personal History”

Maybe one of the reasons that I write is to learn who I really am. I get glimpses every day, but by writing, I can see it better. So, here’s my latest insight. Or, first, here are the circumstances that have come together that allow me to see myself more clearly and to question someContinue reading “The Wrong Peace Rally”

I’m sure that my dad must have made many recommendations to us, but the one that I remember most clearly was, “I don’t care what you do, but don’t lie about it.” He often described how being caught in a lie left other people wondering what else about you couldn’t be trusted. I need toContinue reading “Do Not Lie”

From five years ago, if I could have looked through a crack in the door to see my life today, what would I have seen? What would I have felt? What would I have advised or said to my current self? Five years ago, I planned to retire the following spring and I did. IContinue reading “From Five Years Ago”

I was arrested more than two years ago, thus have experienced multiple hearings, some in person, some online, depending on Covid conditions. This morning was one more, not mine, but for two friends, codefendants brought back to court for breaking bail conditions. I’m drawn to write as an basically good American citizen with a fairContinue reading “Another Hearing, Not Mine”

What am I talking about? I’m talking, all right, writing, about the various forms of electronic bombardment that most of us endure, enjoy, and/or utilize, the email, the texts, and the phone calls. Among all of it are a relatively small number of needed, useful communications. Most are advertisements, spam, useless, or, at best, simplyContinue reading “Electronic Decluttering”