- JUST THE FACTS: Last week I had lunch with Mark Smith, a writer friend of mine. When Mark leaves a message on my answering machine he always begins, "Hi. This is Mark. The guy in the chair."
Mark works at the Independent Living Center. And I'm learning that the view of the world from his wheelchair is one unique point of view. Not just on social issues but in matters of religion, romance, river rafting - you name it.Lately Mark's been working on his personal memoirs. And he slipped me the latest chapter to read at lunch. I reminded him of the day he began the book.
At that time he told me, "I remember growing up in Idaho. Sunday nights our family had a little ritual. Mom would bring out the canned peaches, and we'd all sit around the table, eat peaches, then dip our toast in the juice."
Then Mark went on to share several family stories with me - the kind of tales that are so human, amazing, heart-wrenching and real, they could win a guy the Pulitzer Prize.
"You going to put those stories in your book?" I asked.
He gave a startled look.
"You kidding?" he said. "I'm sticking with peaches and toast!"
But I'll read this latest installment and get back to you. I have a feeling "the guy in the chair" will try not to include those incredible stories but will fail miserably.
- SUGAR FIX: I got my copy of "Light" today - a "Quarterly of Light Verse."
I don't know who put me on the mailing list for the thing. I don't know who's paying for it. I don't know if I'm expected to review it, revise it, submit a poem or make a monetary contribution.
But I figure the least I can do is put the magazine to work.
Here's a lyric from "Light" by Dean Blehert - a cheeky little tribute to Robert Frost:
WHOSE SLEEP IS THIS?
So much I would do if I could -
The promises that I would keep!
I would be slim! I would be good . . .
The "woulds" are lovely, dark and deep.
- THE LATEST BUZZ ON THE JAZZ: Now the playoffs have begun - and the "one game at a time" cliches have started flying - it might help if you spice up your basketball conversations with some new slang. Here are a few words to bounce about that I pulled out of Paul Dickson's slang encyclopedia:
Toilet seater: a shot that spins around and around the rim (flushing action)
Bic: Street term for a "swisher" shot, nothing but net.
Death Valley: The foul lane.
Footer: Big slow player.
House Call: A showy move, performed by "Doctors" - showy players.