Author Archives: Tom Childers

las camelias

Posted on May 3, 2014 by Tom Childers

I have adored two restaurants in the last forty years. One is the Pacific Cafe in San Francisco, a haven of west-coast seafood since I was a young teenager. The other is Las Camelias in San Rafael, a Mexican restaurant … Continue reading →

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loss and loss again

Posted on March 26, 2014 by Tom Childers

I have a friend who passed away last night. He’s been fading for weeks under hospice care, after two years of cancer and treatment, gradually losing mobility and some awareness, but never his sense of humor. I never went to … Continue reading →

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parting with roy

Posted on February 5, 2014 by Tom Childers

An era is coming to an end, my faithful steed Roy is going to a new owner. When Jen and I bought Mz. Parker last year, I knew it had to happen, and now it’s time. I’m just feeling the … Continue reading →

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unjunking the news

Posted on February 3, 2014 by Tom Childers

Exploring some of my Buddhist connections this evening, I delighted upon the Facebook page for the king of Bhutan, His Royal Highness Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk. And I immediately found out that one of the dzongs (‘fortress monasteries’) in Bhutan … Continue reading →

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a pleasure of faith

Posted on February 1, 2014 by Tom Childers

I had a heart-opening, delightful and perfect moment this morning, one that I’m sure I will relish for a long time. I found the missing candle holder. On some level we all live amidst chaos, and I often feel like … Continue reading →

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beemer reclamation

Posted on January 4, 2014 by Tom Childers

I’ve got a not-so-secret secret…I have two motorcycles, not one. The black BMW R1100RSL has been my steady date for years, an utterly reliable bike that I’m commuting on several times a week now. She’s pretty modern, lots of power … Continue reading →

Posted in Geek | 2 Comments

many shades of grief

Posted on December 17, 2013 by Tom Childers

As I come up to the second anniversary of Nancy’s passing, I’ve become quite still inside. Last year, I was reliving the final two months of her life, a horrific journey through intensive care. I’m doing that again, but very … Continue reading →

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a different stillness

Posted on November 28, 2013 by Tom Childers

  I’ve been on a little retreat this week, traveling through many kinds of desert with Jen. Death Valley, Nevada, western and southern Arizona, the Sonoran desert, and now southern California. This pic was on our walk near my sister’s … Continue reading →

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weapon reflection

Posted on November 22, 2013 by Tom Childers

One of the oddest conundrums in my life is my history with firearms. As a buddhist, I have vowed to not take life, and as a result, I have little use for rifles and shotguns. Yet I was a competitive … Continue reading →

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miss powassan

Posted on October 5, 2013 by Tom Childers

I’ve been continuing to think about boats over the last few weeks, and it’s going to be a few years before I can seriously consider purchasing a big enough boat to live aboard. Many of you don’t know that I … Continue reading →

Posted in Nancy, Reflection, Travel | 1 Comment