Bosco O'Brian

Before The Fall

So, I’ve started this HCG diet thing… this weekend was Phase I where I dosed with the HCG and then ate as much stuff as I could. Well, it was a pretty busy weekend, so I really didn’t do all that much gratuitous eating. Saturday was a complete blur with only a few probably poor choices along theContinue reading “Before The Fall”

“Gott segne unsere edlen Werk”

I am blessed to belong to a group of people, many of whom are first generation German immigrants, called the Cincinnati Kolping Society. The organization is built around the idea embodied in its motto; “Gott segne unsere edlen Werk” which translates to God bless our noble work. So today more than other days, I thankContinue reading ““Gott segne unsere edlen Werk””

They just weren’t thinking and now too many of us will remember him that way…

I felt the same way last evening watching Clint Eastwood at the Republican National Convention as I did the last time I saw Frank Sinatra in concert. Old Blue Eyes was forgetting the order of the show, he was forgetting his words… it was a mess. There were moments of grace, greatness and brilliance, butContinue reading “They just weren’t thinking and now too many of us will remember him that way…”

“Authentic Frontier Gibberish”

Over the past few days, weeks and months, as I’ve been listening to our political discourse spin, bend, distort and even fabricate daily soundbites used by each party to beat each other about the head and shoulders, I have come to know that the absolute official language of these United States of America is mostContinue reading ““Authentic Frontier Gibberish””

We put the “FUN” is Dysfunctional!

It occurred to me that there may actually be no such thing as the dysfunctional family. The way I see it, prior to the industrialization and urbanization of America, most families were more spread out geographically from one another and at the same time a great deal more dependent upon each other for their health, wealth and prosperity.Continue reading “We put the “FUN” is Dysfunctional!”

The lady doth protest too much, methinks

The quotation “The lady doth protest too much, methinks.” comes from Shakespeare‘s Hamlet, Act III, scene II, where it is spoken by Queen Gertrude, Hamlet’s mother. The phrase has come to mean that one can “insist so passionately about something not being true that people suspect the opposite of what one is saying.” The phrase is often misquotedContinue reading “The lady doth protest too much, methinks”

To Form a More Perfect Union

Few people are capable of expressing with equanimity opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment. Most people are even incapable of forming such opinions. – Albert Einstein So, where did all that fear and hate come from? For a nation of “good, God-fearing people,” we have certainly become prolific when it comesContinue reading “To Form a More Perfect Union”

Lo, there do I see my Father

(For my friend Jim Brunsman and all who go before us…) “Lo, there do I see my father,Lo, there do I see my mother,And my sisters and my brothers.Lo, there do I see the line of my ancestors Back to the beginning, Lo, they do call to me They bid me take my place among them In the hallsContinue reading “Lo, there do I see my Father”

Noise of Silent Vigil

I whistled past the graveyard yesterday. She’s gone but lingers still in eyes and smiles of mine and other’s children. In quiet vigil, I spoke not a word while the silent anniversary of her passing broke the air. I held her grandchildren tightly as I tucked them in. I wrapped them in child blankets madeContinue reading “Noise of Silent Vigil”

A Solstice Carol

The Yule log burns and all four candles glow. Past the longest night; the Son comes with the dawn. Gather now and sing the way we do. And think of those who cannot sing along. Huddled people far and near sit alone in quiet fear. In soft candle lit rooms, we welcome warmth of friendsContinue reading “A Solstice Carol”