Author Archives: Tim Bryant

January 1, 2023 10:30 AM This following is based on the findings of Frank Martela, University Lecturer at Aalto University, Finland. This is just my little riff on his core ideas. 1. Look not to yourself for comfort, but rather help others in some way. An example is taking care of your kids, which takesContinue reading “How to find happiness, or maybe make the grief bearable”

I wrote this after listening to Marty Robbins sing “The Big Iron” from an album of cowboy tunes: Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs. Here’s the link: https://youtu.be/zzICMIu5zFY The Big Iron is, of course, a reference to the gun on Marty’s hip but also to the guy’s manhood, so to speak. And they were all roughContinue reading “American Legion Rodeo Bus Trip”

I was out at Ponca State Park in Nebraska some years ago, camping on a really cold night. It was early spring and early for camping too, but I was living life on the edge and whatnot, wanted to get out of town, so there I was. I positioned my small tent in a slightContinue reading “The Heaviest Cat That Ever Could Be”

Bloomington IL 61701February 23, 2020 Ambient ambiance: In the 50s and real sunny right in the virtual middle of the winter I was walking up the nearest moraine right through the nearby alley when I spotted a feller in a long coat doing something or other – smokin’, I reckon – and also talkin’ toContinue reading “Don’t know what”

Friday, April 22, 2022 Hey, Scott – I went out to Sugar Grove this afternoon and while I didn’t spend too much time out there, I got into the simple qualitative experience of it: I take great delight in appreciating the holy temple out there (Stubblefield Woods), and I could smell the smell of springContinue reading “The simple qualitative experience of it”

The question: Why is it awkward when another man walks into a public bathroom while you’re pooping? (Posed by someone on Quora online) That isn’t so awkward: everybody shits – you’re just another guy shitting. What’s awkward is having women come in while you’re shitting. Just such a scene happened to me when I wasContinue reading “Another Adventure in Religion”

Break Time Mr. and Mrs. Friendly & Niece & the Purtiest Cat You’ll Ever See Mrs. Friendly accosted me from the front seat of the roadster pictured here as I walked up a hill toward the town of Conception’s water tower. I had excused myself from the other retreatants at nearby Conception Abbey after theyContinue reading “Easter Sunday, April 19, 1992”

Way Back When, in the 90sHalfway to Somewhere, Iowa The guy was wearing blue jeans, an army jacket, and a baseball cap. He took off his cap to reveal close-cropped graying hair. His face was lean and muscular, and his eyes were bright. “Do you want me to strap in?” he asked as I hookedContinue reading “Would you look?”

I was at the gym and I said hello to the somewhat older feller who was checking in next to me. “How are ya?” I said. He says, “Good, and you?” I says, “Pretty good” with a positive tilt, as many take “pretty good” for less than good. Then he says, “I can only sayContinue reading “Pretty good”