Archive for Gary Clark
Gary L. Clark is an author. After a thirty year career he retired to become a writer. He has written three novels, one is published He recently completed the annotation of a self-help book on faith-based self-help. Mr. Clark is the Editor of thefiresidepost.com. He lives in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Remembering Mom and Her Music
I was fumbling around on youtube this morning and found this Patti Page rendition of Tennessee Waltz. My mother introduced me to this song. She was not trying to – this was one of the songs she sang while wringing out the laundry in her wringer wash machine. Hearing Patti Page sing this old song […]
10Dec2024 | Gary Clark | 0 comments | Continued
Taylor Swift is “New Money”
The headlines state that Taylor Swift gave $100,000 to the family of a shooting victim at the KC Chiefs Super Bowl Parade. The media reports she is worth around one billion dollars. The media (Forbes) also reports the Hunt family, owners of the Chiefs, are worth around twenty-five (25) billion dollars. There is no report […]
19Feb2024 | Gary Clark | 0 comments | Continued
Pondering the Impact of Individuals on History
There are two broad categories of historical interpretation. Generally they are narrative history and chaos theory. Narrative history comes into focus with biography. Often a biography of a historical character, usually a leader during times of strife, will suggest that that person was responsible for navigating through the crisis. Chaos theory says that the conditions […]
20Jan2024 | Gary Clark | 2 comments | Continued
The Fireside Continues for another 3 years
Well, Executive Administrative CEO type decisions have overruled the Operations Manager. The firesidepost has been funded for another three years. Life goes on. It is great, we started this adventure in 2007 – we might make it to 20 years.
6Oct2023 | Gary Clark | 1 comment | Continued
Shutting Down thefiresidepost.com
The hosting service for this site has become too expensive. Also, bluehost, the host of this site has double billed us – they billed my son and they are billing me. They like to automatically charge your credit card. They did send me a notice saying they were charging me at the end of October […]
22Sep2023 | Gary Clark | 2 comments | Continued
COVID – Three Days In
Sunday night, January 16, I went to bed with a slight headache. I did not take any medicine for the headache. Fever and chills visited me through the night and Monday morning (MLK Holiday) I went to urgent care. By then my symptoms were headache, cough, runny nose, fever, chills, and some body aches. I […]
19Jan2022 | Gary Clark | 2 comments | Continued
Psychology, Cognitive, Jung, Literature, Astrology – What’s It All About
My life has been invested in the search for sanity. That search took many paths. Currently my discussion with others on the same journey has included comparisons of the different yet divergent paths. I am a lay person – mostly. After I retired from a career in information systems I entered a counselor-in-training program at […]
11Oct2021 | Gary Clark | 1 comment | Continued
Another Homeless Man Dies
James (not real name) and his younger brother Bud preferred drinking in the shade on a hot day. Their friends Wayne and Keith and other homeless people sometimes joined them. The old police station at 710 S 9th still has the radio tower. The base is about twenty feet by twenty feet and the tower […]
12Aug2021 | Gary Clark | 3 comments | Continued
Struggling with Family Prejudice In The Time of Trump
I am old; a senior but not yet elderly. My adult life has been a quest for sanity. I have said that many times, but I am just now beginning to understand what sanity means. Sanity is an escape from family of origin dysfunction. Sanity is discovering and alleviating ignorance and prejudice – racism, homophobia, […]
26Jul2021 | Gary Clark | 4 comments | Continued
Rescue Dogs and Christians
A friend said, “My favorite breed of dog is Rescue”. I have had a couple of rescue dogs; they are like Christians, you never know what you are going to get. Our first rescue dog was in 1971. We called her Pal. She was a pal, snuggling and warm and loving. She had black curly […]
11Jul2021 | Gary Clark | 1 comment | Continued
When It Feels So Right, But Is So Wrong
We begin to understand the indignity of denial. When we continue abrasive, cruel prejudices in denial of the truth we diminish our humanity. It appears that some people enjoy their prejudice. It only appears so. Those people live in fear. They fear opening Pandora’s Box. They fear the evil that will surely befall them if they abandon their sacred values. The real indignity is in holding on to those values which are negative, hurtful, and unjustified.
6Sep2020 | Gary Clark | 2 comments | Continued
Chronic Maladies Get Brushed Off as Just Aging
I have a condition called peripheral neuropathy – in both legs and some in my right arm. I have to wear braces to walk. This condition ‘came on’ in my late sixties. I am not diabetic. I was an outpatient at St. Luke’s Neurology in KC all summer (2019). After extensive testing from everything from […]
16Feb2020 | Gary Clark | 2 comments | Continued
Medical Care, Penny Wise – Dollar Foolish
The past two weeks saw me struggling with the local medical community. In short, I was misdiagnosed three times in a span of five days resulting in delayed treatment and extraordinary unnecessary costs. Welcome to the modern world of administering health care based on dollars rather than sense. On September 19, 2019, I noticed a […]
3Oct2019 | Gary Clark | 3 comments | Continued
The American Ideal of Meritocracy
My father was a working man. He taught us through osmosis that loyalty to an employer was a good character trait. He also, as an unintended consequence of his success, taught us that work-over-time pays off. I have seen this in some of my friends too. Is this an example of meritocracy? The title of […]
18Mar2019 | Gary Clark | 2 comments | Continued
Trump’s Fox Rant
Trump is a horrible embarrassment to our nation. dfgdfgdsfdfd
27Apr2018 | Gary Clark | 3 comments | Continued
Well Dang, I Have Foot Drop
I have a diagnosed medical condition that I did not know existed a month ago. I am using the proper noun “I” often because this is all about me. I believe this problem has existed for some time because I wrote about it in 2012. Humor is often my escape from the cruelty of reality. […]
9Apr2018 | Gary Clark | 2 comments | Continued
Kelly Ann Conway on Domestic Violence
Kelly Ann Conway, some sort of advisor to the President of the United States, was on CNN this morning. She was present on the set of State of The Union with Jake Tapper. A little back story – A Presidential aid, Rob Porter, has been accused by two ex-wives of domestic violence. He denied the […]
11Feb2018 | Gary Clark | 2 comments | Continued
Aggravated With Medicare And The Health System
Right off let me be clear, I am a senior. That is somewhere between middle age and elderly. My health insurance is Medicare with a United Health Care supplement. As I have aged I have experienced more aches and pains resulting from the active utilization of my body parts. Did I mention that I have […]
1Jan2018 | Gary Clark | 2 comments | Continued
Thomas Franklin, New Fireside Contributor
Thomas Franklin and I became friends in 2006. He was an inpatient at a Substance Abuse Treatment Center where I served as a counselor. That program was a 21 day residential care. There was a stipend program at the Center. This allowed up to two clients to remain residents, receive free food, and free intensive […]
2Dec2017 | Gary Clark | 1 comment | Continued
In Defense of the St. Joseph, Missouri, School Tax Levy 2017
Larry Koch is a member of the St. Joseph, Missouri, School District Board of Directors. There is a levy on the ballot and the following was a facebook post by Mr. Koch. I thought it was well thought out and well written. There are two issues: 1) Does the school district need more money? and […]
22Oct2017 | Gary Clark | 0 comments | Continued
When The Emotionally Unbalanced Vote, They Always Vote For The Extreme
Lookout Friday! Here they come! The emotionally unbalanced have found their candidate. Donald Trump is someone who should never have happened in America – but he has – and it is because one political party began catering to the emotionally unbalanced about forty years ago, and the fall of economic prosperity by American citizens fed […]
20Oct2017 | Gary Clark | 2 comments | Continued
Stand For Defense of Constitution
From a post by Nancy: Well… Can’t speak for all Americans, but sometimes I get peeved and as an American that loves my freedoms and ability to choose my actions and beliefs… Demanding and legislating that everyone must stand for the Anthem is the WRONG way to go. Should proud citizens of the USA show […]
20Oct2017 | Gary Clark | 1 comment | Continued
Kansas City City Market, Beignet, and Moody Football Fans
We invested a day at the Kansas City City Market. Today, in fact. A Sunday and the Chiefs are playing – but we have a DVR and are recording the game. We are at the market to meet family and are hoping that we do not inadvertently hear the score of the game. We did […]
17Sep2017 | Gary Clark | 0 comments | Continued
TRUMP – Despicable Me in Orange Hues
From a friend: Why does Trump always go after women by attacking their looks?? What mirror is he looking in to??? He is a vile, ugly, fat slob that looks like a cartoon character in Batman , except he does not need any makeup. He has goggle marks around his eyes from his fake spray […]
1Jul2017 | Gary Clark | 0 comments | Continued
A Visit To The ER
I cut my finger. Or perhaps I should say my finger was in the way when the door was closing. I thought for a moment the finger was broken but it turned out to be only a bone deep cut. My deductible for an ER visit is seventy-five dollars – what to do? After a […]
12Jun2017 | Gary Clark | 0 comments | Continued
A Few Thoughts On Tiger Woods Recent DUI
From a friend: A few thoughts on Tiger Woods. Regardless of whether you like him or not and for whatever reason you like him or not, I think the police dodged a bullet on this one. We’ve all seen the videos, some of you may see a drunk, some may see a drug addict, some […]
4Jun2017 | Gary Clark | 1 comment | Continued
A facebook Discussion On Single Payer Insurance
Robert Stuber Yesterday at 9:24am · AN EXPANDED MEDICARE 1. Of course, start with Medicare for all 2. Cover medicines, thus eliminating Part D expense to Americans 3. Give Medicare the power to negotiate drug prices with pharmaceutical companies 4. Expand Medicare so that there would be no need for expensive tie- in supplemental private […]
21Apr2017 | Gary Clark | 0 comments | Continued
AARP Is A Communist Plot To Destroy America!
Allow me to first reveal my bias. I am a member of AARP. I am over sixty years old. I am a male. I am educated. I know how to type. There! Now you know my background. AARP is very obviously a communist plot to destroy America. We need only look at the AARP Bulletin, […]
16Mar2017 | Gary Clark | 2 comments | Continued
Single Payer – What Is It and How Is It Better Than What We Have?
The health care debate rages on. Our system has been flawed from the beginning. Powerful Unions negotiated with employers to provide health insurance. Good for the Unions and unionized workers, not good for everybody. Insurance companies liked the deal because they could negotiate big lucrative packages. Actuaries ruled the day. It is actually simple math […]
10Mar2017 | Gary Clark | 1 comment | Continued
Trump – Nostalgia Is Not What It Used to Be
Donald Trump, the so-called President of the United States, is fundamentally ignorant of history, literature, philosophy, and the humanities in general. Trump epitomizes the romantic ideal, completely unaware of his failure to understand reality. This is a common trait of people who are intellectually lazy, and particularly the intellectually lazy who are born with the […]
5Mar2017 | Gary Clark | 0 comments | Continued
Denying Freedom Of Press is Impeachable Offense
It is being widely reported today that the White House has selectively denied access to a news conference by the White House. The first amendment is clear: Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or […]
24Feb2017 | Gary Clark | 2 comments | Continued
The Pain of Awareness
Awareness is generally thought to be a good thing. Certainly we advocate being aware of one’s personal budget, of politics, of education, of science (Climate Change), of job opportunities, of our health, and even an awareness of our ignorance on various topics. I think it is useful to be aware of proper use of the […]
24Feb2017 | Gary Clark | 6 comments | Continued
Truth Versus Faith
Truth, belief, and faith – three legs on the stool of human endeavor. We seem to require all three but only truth can be measured and verified. Some people will get all up in arms about at that statement. They will say that I am challenging their faith. I am not. I am only saying […]
2Jan2017 | Gary Clark | 3 comments | Continued
Terror Pranks By Brothers
It was 1955. I remember because I was on the receiving end of an older brother prank. (I have said before that I come by my prank-ing personality honestly – this is an example). In previous posts I tried to explain my pranks on my younger brothers in a manner that most excuses my errant […]
31Dec2016 | Gary Clark | 2 comments | Continued
Older Brothers and Pranks
Whether I come by my fascination with pranks honestly or not is sometimes irrelevant. I say ‘honestly’ because I come from a family of pranksters. And my two older brothers often tested their pranks on me. What was I to do, I passed the pranks on to my younger siblings. Like the time when I […]
30Dec2016 | Gary Clark | 2 comments | Continued
Big Stick Diplomacy
President T.R. Roosevelt is quoted as having said, “Speak softly and carry a big stick”. Don’t you just love those easy clever witticisms? Bumper sticker diplomacy at its finest. Wit is not the same as wisdom. Clever is not the same as wisdom. Wisdom speaks softly and carries a big stick – and carries the […]
10Dec2016 | Gary Clark | 0 comments | Continued
Page Displays In A Mobile World
thefiresidepost.com launched in 2007. We had some success. Success caused a ripple in our egos – my son’s and mine. Some people liked our political commentary while others preferred our essays on recipes. Where should we focus? was the question. By 2008 we determined that we had an online magazine. Our magazine knows no bounds […]
2Dec2016 | Gary Clark | 1 comment | Continued
thefiresidepost.com is Back On Line. Bluehost, SiteLock, and Malware
What a pain in the whazoo. Sorry for the down time folks. We are back on line. Here is the deal as I understand it. I am not a good wordpress site administrator. My son usually does that work but he actually has a real job so I have been taking care of updating our […]
1Dec2016 | Gary Clark | Comments Off on thefiresidepost.com is Back On Line. Bluehost, SiteLock, and Malware | Continued
Artistic Interpretation of Trump Victory
Ben Franklin was a Founding Father who used political cartoons as a means of persuasion. With biting with he would cause a person to reflect and reconsider. And that was not his day job. Some people are just naturally gifted at imagery and symbolism used a tools for thoughtful discourse. I am no expert on […]
13Nov2016 | Gary Clark | Comments Off on Artistic Interpretation of Trump Victory | Continued
USA 2016 is Analogous to Iran 1979
This is a bold commentary by someone with limited actual knowledge. My recall of history says that the invention of the internal combustion engine, followed by Henry Ford’s assembly line and mass production – put the oil rich countries of the Middle East on the map. My memory says the Saudi family took charge about […]
9Nov2016 | Gary Clark | Comments Off on USA 2016 is Analogous to Iran 1979 | Continued
Post Cards In The Eighth Ward
On this election day in 2016 I have been reflecting back over past elections. Elections that were personal. Elections that had real consequences. Elections that shaped the education of my children. Elections that shaped the quality of life for my neighbors. Elections mattered then and they matter now. This post is not a diatribe of […]
8Nov2016 | Gary Clark | Comments Off on Post Cards In The Eighth Ward | Continued
My Psychiatric Nerve
I have problems; always have had, likely always will. One of the problems is in naming my problems. Naming problems is categorically dependent. When naming a problem, do I use the language of religion, psychiatry, layman, political party – or some variation of modern self-help-ism. As with most spoken words it depends on the audience. […]
7Nov2016 | Gary Clark | Comments Off on My Psychiatric Nerve | Continued
Trump The Democrat? Runs As Republican?
Donald Trump actually does have New York values. What does that mean? Generally, when people congregate in large urban areas they become more liberal. Why? Donald Trump has held liberal political views all of his adult life. He ran for President ass a Republican because he knew the Democratic Party would not accept his lack […]
19Oct2016 | Gary Clark | Comments Off on Trump The Democrat? Runs As Republican? | Continued
Early View of President Obama’s Legacy
In a couple of weeks, we the people of the United States of America shall elect someone to follow President Barack Obama as president of the United States. This election is as important as 2008 when he was first elected and in 2012 when he was affirmed by the people with reelection. President Obama is […]
19Oct2016 | Gary Clark | Comments Off on Early View of President Obama’s Legacy | Continued
My First Tattoo
Oceanside, California, is located on the border of Camp Pendleton, that really big Marine base. I was there. Not Camp Pendleton, Oceanside. It was 1969 and I was doing what I would later learn was called a ‘walkabout’. I was drifting with the wind, facing the draft, Vietnam, adulthood, and ultimately responsibility. Oceanside was […]
26Sep2016 | Gary Clark | 1 comment | Continued
When Peaceful Protest Becomes A Lynch Mob
The near riots and riots in recent memory have the same feel as the mob rule of a hundred years past – the difference being the color of the skin of the protestors. Make no mistake about it – these protests are about justice. Immediate justice. In every case the protesters are compelled to […]
23Sep2016 | Gary Clark | 2 comments | Continued
BREAKING NEWS!!!
BREAKING NEWS!!: We just realized today that, based on historical statistics, our mortality may be in jeopardy. Seriously, we cannot support the idea of immortality with any historical facts. And even more serious – aren’t these statements obvious! So why did I start with “BREAKING NEWS!!!” I was born at about the same time as […]
21Sep2016 | Gary Clark | 1 comment | Continued
Donald Trump Jokes
“Last night, Donald Trump said if he’s elected, he will employ a ‘deportation task force.’ It’s not really necessary, because if he’s elected most people will probably leave voluntarily.” –Conan O’Brien “The Boston Globe just reported that according to his campaign staff, Donald Trump wouldn’t take any vacations as president. I think that’s because he […]
15Sep2016 | Gary Clark | Comments Off on Donald Trump Jokes | Continued
Global Warming Is Not Intuitive
Science is not always intuitive. Science is often counter-intuitive. We humans like to keep things simple. We also like to answer the question “Why?” Thus we look at nature and when there is no immediate, obvious, answer we, over time, have been inclined to just give God credit. The result has been a slow response […]
24Aug2016 | Gary Clark | Comments Off on Global Warming Is Not Intuitive | Continued
“Conservative” Does Not Mean Smaller Government
Ronald Reagan hijacked the term “Conservative” and twisted it to his own political purpose. Remember his famous quote, something like this: “Government does not solve the problem, government is the problem.” The dingbats get goosebumps every time they hear that quote. More military they say, but less government. The government should leave my social security […]
24Aug2016 | Gary Clark | 1 comment | Continued