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Monthly Archives: December 2016
Nothing compares…paying respect to Prince
Whether a Prince fan or not, I’d say it’s hard to be a musician and not at least be a Prince appreciator. And if you haven’t given him a try, take a listen to “Purple Rain,” and let it guide you. As I listen to it now, I hope he’s in a place that looks and feels as majestic as the song sounds. Continue reading
Posted in Creative nonfiction music journalism
Tagged "Purple Rain", 2016, grief, Love, New Year's, Prince
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Elfin’ ain’t easy: A day in the life of a North Pole Adventure volunteer
“Do I look ridiculous?” I asked Jennifer when I found her.
“Charlie, you’re dressed as an elf. Of course you do.”
Solomon, my fiancée’s son, was also an elf, wearing a red and white Santa T-shirt and green pajama pants. He was happy to participate, but was mainly in it for the money.
Yes, we got paid to be elves, thanks to the Lewistown Chamber of Commerce, who is still looking for volunteers. Sometimes they even recruit elves, which was the case for us.
“Hey, Charlie, you want to be an elf?” Liz at the Chamber asked when I was in the office this fall.
“Why not?” I said. “Can I bring Solomon?”
Sometimes you choose to be an elf; sometimes being an elf chooses you. Continue reading
Posted in Holiday
Tagged Christmas, Elf, Montana, North Pole Adventure Train, Polar Express
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Trippin’ on a Hole in a Paper Heart: a reflection on Scott Weiland
People ask, “What could have saved Scott Weiland?”
Grace would have saved him, just as it would have saved Jimi, Janis, Jim, Kurt, Layne and all the other stars who have fallen well before their time.
Jimi Hendrix once said, “When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then there will be peace.” For Scott, it appears love was more a lyric than an action he practiced. And without love, what’s left of a man? Continue reading
The Beam: Cherrell and Nico, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016
With all the problems in the world, with all the poverty and depression, domestic violence, hatred, anger, division, death and destruction, it can be easy to lose sight of all we have to feel fortunate about, all the reasons to be joyful. If I get discouraged, I’ll think of Cherrell and Nico. I’ll think of their family-to-be. I’ll think of the way they beam when they talk about each other, and I’ll think about my wife, Kari, and how I “beam her up” every chance I get. That’s pride, and, when you have it, you don’t even know you’re doing it. Continue reading
Charlie's Trail 